Posted 4 years ago
Belltown
(241 items)
Here's another piece my wife grew up with. It's a charming little (5 inches tall) sock darner, with "Darn It" written in glaze on the front. My guess is that a lot of companies made these, so it's not surprising that it's unsigned. There's a hole in the top, and the piece of material was probably meant to be tied up so that it looked like a pretty bow (now it just looks like a clumsy knot). I love the feet at the bottom!
Cute! I've not seen a ceramic darner before. That face is a very particular style face - and the colors are, too. Someone will recognize the maker.
It's a Darning Dodo!
"This vintage Darn It, sock darning doll or egg was made by Cleminson Pottery in El Monte, California. They were called “Darning Dodos”. It belonged to my mother but I’m not sure if it was her mother’s as well. It has a chip in the top but I love it anyway. I remember watching my mother darn socks using this little darning doll. It dates to the early 1940’s. During World War II the company wrote this verse. “To mend our ways is dull, it's true, But Uncle Sam says 'make it do' So stitch in time, else you will rue it; Let this 'Darning Dodo' help you do it!”
https://www.whispersoftheheart.com/blog/2020/3/29/whats-in-the-china-cabinet
CUTE:
"Originally, this figure came with a hang tag that read: "To mend our ways is dull, it's true, But Uncle Sam says 'make it do'- So stitch in time, else you will rue it; Let this 'Darning Dodo' help you do it!"
My wife uses an old light bulb, similar shape right ?
It's delightful Belltown!
Great info too Celine, I really enjoyed that read.
Here's my darning egg/sewing kit. One of my first posts here..have not seen another, luckily I have 2 of them..
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/286080-antique-sewing-kit-eggs
Belltown, Cute. :-)
Celiene, Awesome ID. :-)
About Cleminsons Pottery:
https://antiquesandauctionnews.net/articles/Homespun-Heartwarmers:-Ceramics-By-The-California-Cleminsons/
FreshAir, Yup, my mother used an old light bulb, too. I look back and marvel. Who darns anything nowadays?