Machine sewing instruction workbook with stitchery samples on cloth.

The quality of the work indicates that the creator, Helen Poore, may have been training for a career as a seamstress or designer, or was already a professional learning to use an unfamiliar machine. 9 x 11 inche. [40] ff. (ten left blank). With 150 mounted stitchery samples (in over a dozen colors of thread) on cloth, including many examples of elaborate machine embroidery. With accompanying typewritten instructions on how to use an Elna sewing machine. Each sample labeled in manuscript with the machine settings necessary to achieve the stitch. Original light blue three-hole binder. Creasing and some toning to binder. Quite clean throughout despite some toning in places. Manuscript annotations throughout. Color-printed Elna sewing machine catalogue laid in at back. An envelope taped to the inside cover of the binder contains sales receipts for two Elna sewing machines (1973 and 1980), purchased by Helen Poore at a shop in Santa Ana, California. An expert example of a machine sewing workbook. Very good. The machine sewing samples in the present item include different styles of stitches (both simple stitches and machine embroidery), cuffs, collars, hems, buttonholes, monograms, and more. The samples are expertly executed and neatly organized, and the typewritten instructions are thoroughly annotated. Some of the annotations reference machine settings, while others identify ideal colors of thread and note the prices of various pieces of equipment for Elna machines (ÒEyelet plate: $2.45Ó).…