Tapping the LJ hive-mind

[femkes_follies]

A couple of questions/polls.

First, I think I WILL go for the hand-quilted silk petticoat. Any directions/suggestions/tutorials on cutting? I'm thinking something basically cone-shaped with no gathering to the waist is what's needed.

The second is more homely in nature. 10 years ago, when I got married, I registered for Pfaltzgraf's Naturewood dinnerware. Confession: I hate it. It's heavy, it chips, more than a few pieces have broken. And my favorite pieces are no longer made. I've even had employees at the outlet store try to tell me certain pieces never existed.

So if we go to replace our dinnerware, I'd like something more neutral anyway. Something that can go with whatever tablecloth and decor I want to use for any given holiday. I like the look of vintage ironstone. But I hate to get caught in the trap of buying something from Crate and Barrel or WIlliams-Sonoma that DOES match but gets discontinued in a couple of months to make way for the new trend. I do also like antique dishes, and have a few that I've picked up or been given here and there. I love milk glass, and some depression glass. Especially serving pieces, compotes, and dessert dishes.

So... do we look for a reproduction set by a company that is likely to keep producing it? Or do we scout antique stores for genuine pieces and not worry about their matching? As I'm unlikely to find (or if I find, be able to afford a complete purchase) of a whole set.

I await your collective wisdom.

Accomplished today: 2 pecks of tomatoes into 9 qts canned tomatoes - plus some parboiled ones after one of the jars broke in the canner. o_O Never had THAT happen before. Once my peachies ripen up - I shall can peachies. Tomorrow I may do up the plums and some other jams.

Anybody got any thoughts on the topic?

Comments

[eleanor-deyeson.livejournal.com]

My antique set my dad got at an auction, however, I've seen some fairly largish sets at my local catholic thrift store. When they have them, they price them relatively reasonably, like in the $50-$100 range.

I think if you go shopping in antique stores, the price will be more, but if you are buying a whole set, rather than individual pieces, it still could be affordable.

I will admit, to having spent quite a bit of money trying to "complete" my set of dishes. I was so lucky as to find a mixing bowl and china pie server even. E-bay was my friend.

I'd say, go with an open mind, and perhaps, keep a few small pieces of fabric in "your" colors, to use as a placemat, and check out how it looks.

[femkederoas.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I'm thinking maybe a reproduction set for day use and antique serving pieces/dessert ware/ dress-it-up stuff.

[estela-dufrayse.livejournal.com]

My good china is a set of plain white with a thin gold band around the edge. My mum bought it by the box (4 place settings each) a few years ago. Works beautifully in any holiday setting and didn't break the bank. I'm not a fan of spending hundreds of dollars on dinnerware that you have to be too careful with cause you won't use it.

I think I missed something, what's the petticoat for? Have you thought of flat pleating it into the waistband? Eighteenth Century quilted petticoats would have had their quilting stop about hip height, then are pleated into a band, flat across the front and back and flat pleated towards the side seams.

[femkederoas.livejournal.com]

I don't have storage for two sets of dinnerware. ;-) But I could manage extra serveware here and there.

I might replace what looks like a brocade undergown from the trachtenbuch on the Frisian woman with a quilted petticoat. Hence, going under a skirt that seems to have little volume at the waist, should probably fit more like the alcega farthingale, I'm thinking. But I haven't really sat down to noodle on it yet.

[alysten.livejournal.com]

I'd go with the reproduction antiques if you are concerned about lead. Many antique dishes are lead glazed.

[femkederoas.livejournal.com]

Apparently the problematic ones are the red/orange vintage Fiestaware, anything made overseas, and handmade stuff or very highly decorated. Plain old white stoneware is pretty darned safe, especially if you don't microwave it.

Though if you've got a good source for reproduction stuff, do pass it along!!

[sugarcoatedlie.livejournal.com]

My good china actually belonged to my grandma, but when I got it there were some pieces broken or missing and I had to replace some things. I can't even believe how easy it was to find what I needed on eBay. Hers was a common pattern, from Sears I think, so there's probably a bit more out there, but she got it as an engagement gift so I thought that it'd be old enough that it'd be hard to find. Not so. I have everything I need now, except one salt shaker. I'm actually considering bidding on a few more pieces to add another couple of place settings to my collection.

I think if it weren't for the fact that I inherited mine as a set, I'd probably just go and pick up things at random and make a mismatched set. There's so much gorgeous stuff out there, it's hard to pick sometimes, and that way I'd have a little of each. :)

Sometimes half the fun is the shopping!

[femkederoas.livejournal.com]

I know it. I think maybe I'll go pick up a guidebook on Depression glass. It will help me avoid picking up various almost unusable serveware if I have focus. (Lets face it, how many glass baskets, shoes, and candy dishes can one person have space for!).

Still, I thought you'd like the pink and teal thing. ;-)

[ablackram.livejournal.com]

How about a set of Fiestaware that you can mix and match. Is retro, affordable, not vintage so you won't gasp as much when Boo or Rori drops a plate.

But I can talk...I have 2 sets. Villeroy and Boch and Noritake. Neither of which can be replaced in this country.

The look of the mismatched sets is making a comeback tho. From some of the foodie people.

[femkederoas.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I never have liked Fiesta ware. ;-) I want something totally neutral. Something that will go equally with the Deep Blue Provencal tablecloth or the pastel Easter damasks or whatever. I have a fear of dinnerware commitment now.