Hello, I’m Collette of Serendipity Vintage. I have been reading Sew Retro for over a year, and I am so excited to be a part of the community (thank you, Angela!). I’ve collected vintage sewing and craft patterns for while now, and I’ve also collect vintage beauty books, vintage and antique homemaking manuals, vintage etiquette books, vintage sheet music, vintage housewares, and vintage cookbooks for over fifteen years.
I was a crafty kid and enjoyed crocheting and sewing as a teen, but it fell by the wayside over the years. A friend taught me to knit a few years ago so I began crocheting again. But I haven’t sewn since I took Home Ec. in high school nearly 20 years ago! Seeing all of your creations has inspired me to start sewing again; I truly appreciate your posts. I just bought a Brother machine and I’m starting at the beginning again with really, really easy patterns. It’s like riding a bike, right? Once you learn you never forget? (smile)
I started an Etsy shop a couple of weeks ago to help sewists and collectors find patterns and other fun vintage items (and to destash – my collections are outgrowing my space!). I also started a blog, Serendipity Handmade, to share my love of vintage sewing and craft patterns, as well as share the other vintage items I collect. I post new shop items to my blog, Facebook, and Twitter, and one day I hope to have my entire collection on Flickr. Of course, I plan to be active on Sew Retro too.
I will be posting a free 1940s knitting/crochet pattern on my blog this week so be sure to check it out!