Vintage Sewing - Tubular Cording

I was at the Aberfoyle Antique Market yesterday. It was a glorious fall day, sunny and not too hot. I was looking for vintage sewing items and came across this Singer Sewing Skills Reference Book. It was published in 1954 and is a little careworn. At $2 it is an absolute bargain as it will provide me with hours of enjoyment as I ponder over the techniques and tools used in an era that holds a great deal of nostalgia for me.

In a world where change is so rapid, it is somehow comforting to know that some things are constant. For instance, the book states: "Tubular cording is seldom found on any but expensive garments in ready-to-wear." The technique for making tubular cording is the same then as it is now, although there are some cool tools on the market now that can make it easier. With tubular cording you can create custom frogs, Chinese buttons, spaghetti straps, button loops, fagoting, braid, edging, ties and bows. Purchasing pre-made cording, braids, frogs, etc. is an option but when you use your own fabric and your own creativity something much more satisfying and magical happens.