What to do, what to do?

I was contemplating what to post today since so many people may be inside for Spring Break or in quarantine because of this virus. As I’m sure you are, I’m concerned for my health, that of my family and my neighbors, so I’m trying to follow the guidelines to keep us all safe.

Which means I’m going a little stir crazy not being able to go out like I usually do. Waiting, hoping and praying all will be well soon. We are resilient. I think this to shall pass, but just not yet.

Crafters ~ Unfinished Projects or New

Most crafters usually have a couple unfinished projects laying around and now would be the perfect time to pull them out and work on them. I’m currently crocheting a baby blanket for a new little one joining us in May.

I thought about maybe a How-To book or pattern to learn a new skill. Then I recalled the Antique Pattern Library was given permission from the publisher to scan and share all the Workbasket Magazines.

Workbasket Magazines

Workbasket was started by a husband and wife team, John and Clara Tillotson from their kitchen table. The first issue came out in October 1935. An 8 page bulletin with step-by-step directions for lovely needlework. It was a direct mail business for a subscription that started with 5,000 names and continued to grow through 1966 to over 2,000,000 readers.

The magazine sold in 1990 but continued until the last issue in May or July of 1996. The name and owners have changed several times since then.

The old issues take us back in time. The projects and advertisements give us a glimpse into an earlier time in America. It’s in tune with how we lived, what we did in our leisure and what was the popular needlework craft at any given time.

Browse Scanned Copies

You’ll find many of the earlier magazines complete and fully scanned. Later years still have several that need complete scanning. All of the 1930’s magazines are there for you to look through and find projects.

On the main Workbasket page you’ll see that some of the 1940s magazines are complete, but only a few of the 50s and 60s. This is a continuing project, so it would be a good idea to check back often to see if there are any new magazines added.

Even though some say scanned at the top, it’s only the cover for now.

As you click on a magazine cover with the date showing, there’s a detail page so you can see all the pages that are included. If you click on one of the pages it will open in another window where you can save or print it. If you’d like all the pages in the issue, you’ll find a PDF file option to download on the Overview Page.

You’ll find enough to look at to keep you busy for days. You may even remember an old pattern from one of these magazines and could possibly find it here. I don’t think there is a more comprehensive place on the web to find these magazines scanned in their entirety.

Ebay has plenty of sellers offering Workbasket lots. Take a look at the search here >> Workbasket Magazines

Enjoy Browsing

So have fun, enjoy the down time if you can and take a look at these wonderful magazines and what they have to offer for projects you can use today.

If you like this post, be sure to share it with your friends. And like our Facebook Page to get updates every time we post new patterns.

Enjoy!

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