Vintage Border Print Fabrics ~Love Them!

I'm not sure what it is about these border prints, but I just love them! The designs are so fun to use in projects because its like having two or more fabrics in one, depending on where and how you cut it.
Vintage border prints came in a variety of designs including floral, novelty, geometric, Penn-Dutch, and even scenic. Here's an example of a cowboy/western scenic one...

There were also a number of border print feedsacks made. These were often used to make pillowcases, curtains, and aprons. But, as you can probably tell from my collection, my favorites are the florals. I almost didn't recognize this lovely Lily of the Valley fabric as a border print, but then noticed the small row of roses along the one edge. I was thrilled to find it in both a yellow and a pink colorway! Love this Poppy and daisy print.

Aaaahhhh, this one is special, I have plans for it. :)
I love the contrast of the black leaves against the white and the way they trail off towards the other selvage. One day I hope to make a skirt based on this vintage pattern...I think its genius! Although you would normally think of the border going along the bottom of a skirt, here they've turned it the other way and created a circle skirt. LOVE it!

And I can't help but notice how many border prints are being used in today's fashions...from skirts and dresses, to tunics, to children's wear. A very welcome comeback. :)

And The Winner Is...

MichelleB !!! Congratulations Michelle!
Michelle has a lovely blog called MichelleSews . Stop by to see her amazing (and I do mean amazing) quilts and her cute tote bag and other sewing projects.

I'd like to thank everyone who joined in on the Spring Floral fabrics giveaway. Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting. It was a lot of fun seeing so many new names and blogs.

Well, I better go get a hold of my winner. Oh and look what I found finally blooming in the yard.

Thanks again, everyone! Enjoy your weekend. :)

Spring Floral Fabric GIVEAWAY! and Baby Gift Ideas Part 2

* Comments are now closed for the giveaway. A winner is being randomly chosen and will be posted later this evening. Thanks everyone for entering! :)
First things first...the GIVEAWAY! Spring officially arrives later this week (Yea!) and to celebrate the end of this dreary winter, I'm giving away lots of pretty floral fabrics. * Two large pillow panel size pieces of vintage fabric. Both were salvaged from curtain panels and would be wonderful to make into pillows for your patio or front porch swing.
* Seven (7) pretty floral fat quarters. These are all newer fabrics in sweet pastels and feature roses. Ok, the black isn't pastel, but the print is little thimbles with flowers, I had to include it. :)

Giveaway rules:

1. Anyone is welcome. US and international bloggers, regular posters, lurkers, first time visitors, ...really anyone.

2. I have to be able to contact you. If you have an active blog, great! If you don't, you'll need to make sure I get your email address. (you can contact me from the side bar)

3. Just leave a comment on THIS post between now and 3:00pm EST Sunday March 22. I'll lock the comments at that time.

4. A winner will be chosen and announced that evening.

Oh, And in case you're not the winner of the giveaway, for the rest of the month (and maybe into April) there will be lots of vintage floral bouquet fabrics ON SALE on the website.

And a big Thank You to Jodi from Simply This, That, and the Other for featuring my blog today! :)

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Gift Ideas for Mom and Baby ~ Part 2

Here's a few more ideas to add to last week's post.

*1* Portable Diaper Changing Pad- This was a pretty easy project and could certainly be customized to coordinate and fit inside of a matching diaper bag.
Several layers of batting covered in Sisboom fabrics fold into thirds with handy pockets for diapers and wipes. (I may post a tutorial for this project in the future.)

*2* Diaper Bag Set - This set was made for a friend several years ago. She had her children's room decorated with Raggedy Ann and Andy and wanted a diaper bag to match. We found this cute vintage print and paired it with denim. A matching zippered pouch and roll-up changing pad completed the set. *3* Slip Covered Children's Chair- Very girly! (I wish I had taken more pictures before giving it to her.) I used an old child sized bentwood chair. It was first sanded, primed, and painted white. Next, I added water-slide decals with big pink roses. Then the pretty custom slip cover was made. I used a vintage white linen fabric for the seat and back along with a sheet from the Simply Shabby Chic line for the skirt. This one definitely required more time than money, but I think the end result was worth it.

I hope everyone is able to get outside this week and enjoy the beginning of spring. Be sure to leave a comment on this post to be entered in the fabric giveaway. :)

Gift Ideas for Mom and Baby

Do you want to add a little something extra to your next baby shower gift? Why not try your hand at one these easy projects for Mom and baby. Here's a few of the things I've given to friends over the years. (please excuse the horrible photography of some of these earlier pictures)


*1* Burb Cloths - A very easy project! I don't think an all-out tutorial is necessary, but here's how I did them. I bought a pack of prefold diapers and washed in hot water. Cut strips of pre-washed fabric 2 inches wider and longer than the center section. Press in a double fold hem on each side and pin to diaper. Now turn the short ends under, press and pin. I waited to fold the the end hems because the length of the diaper can vary a bit. I used a zigzag stitch to attach the fabric. Fold and tie with a pretty bow and you're done!

*2* Minky Baby Blanket- Minky Dot fabric is sold in 60" widths, so one yard cut in half width-wise will make two bankets approximately 35x29. I made a frilly-edged flower and securely sewed it to the minky fabric and used a pretty cherry print for the other side. Sew right sides together, leaving a small opening. Turn right side out and top stitch about an inch and a half from the edge. All done!

*3* Nursing Cover- I used a tutorial online for this one. All you need is a yard of fabric, a pair of D rings, and a small length of boning. Basicly its just a big square of fabric with an adjustible strap and a rod pocket at the top to insert the boning. The boning creates a bowed opening so mom can see her little one and allows better air flow so baby doesn't feel like he's sufficating under a heavy blanket.

*4* Photo and Memo Board- Yes, I know, this can be used throughout the home. But it also comes in handy for baby. All those pretty baby gift cards, Doctor's appt. cards, Mommy and Me classes, play dates, Emergency and First aid instructions, and all the photos can be displayed right in the nursery. I made this one using a vintage cutter tablecloth, ribbons, and little fabric flowers to cover the staples.

I have several more ideas to share in the next post later this week. And a BIG fabric GIVAWAY! Some new, some vintage. So be sure to stop back on Sunday March 15th for all the details!

Treasures From Grandma's Attic ~ Vintage purses

This is the third installment of the series "Treasures From Grandma's Attic", in which I share the eclectic collection of items that I've inherited from my gram.

Today we have bags and purses. The first is a faux pony hide travel bag with patent leather trim. It even has a pocket for an umbrella! Love this one!

Next we have a couple of white sequin evening clutches...very elegant.

Not sure when I would go anywhere fancy enough to use them, though...I don't get to too many cocktail parties or formal dances anymore. LOL

I also have a sweet little tapestry purse. It has a small strip of fabric on the back to slip your hand through.

And this classy black handbag had a fun little surprise inside...

A small bottle of perfume and an Evening in Paris lipstick (bright red, of course.)The last purse I have to share just seems to scream SPRING.

Its a sweet little basket weave purse of pink velvet ribbon and accented with millinery flowers.A few of the raffia pieces are broken, but its still an adorable display item. :)

There are some wonderful vintage bags on Etsy! I really like this one... and this one is cute, too.