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

[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. ;-)