Vintage Cut Velvet Fabric Collection

I have been collecting cut velvet fabrics for a number of years now. As I am quite taken with them, you probably have seen me gushing about them here, here, and here  or using them in projects here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.  whew...you get the idea.    (and no, I don't really expect you to visit all the linked posts, it was just to make a point)

Anyway, I have come to the realization that I have to start letting some of them go.  I did sell a few pieces on Etsy earlier this year, but I recently came across 2 more beauties, and it is just way more fabric than I can ever use myself.  One of this summer's finds was a vintage velvet bedspread. Gorgeous and unused, with the original paper label. There were a few storage stains in one corner, which allowed me to cut it up for projects without feeling too guilty.

And the other recent acquisition was several yards of an upholstery fabric in a pretty dusty blue cut velvet with a damask pattern.

So, I have reluctantly started to list many of my selfishly hoarded treasured cut velvets on Etsy.  Of course, a sizable amount will still remain mine...all mine.  lol
And the rest of this post will just be pretty photos of them because I just can't get enough.  :)

Have a great week, everyone!

Blue Cut Velvet Boho Bag

I apologize for yet another bag post. But honestly, its been so long since I've spent any quality time in the sewing room, I got a little carried away. :-)For this bag I used one of my favorite cut velvets. Its a gorgeous blue design on a shimmery beige ground. Although still an upholstery fabric, this one is a little more supple and probably dates a little older than some of the other cut velvets that I've been using. It, too, goes well with the corduroy and I've outfitted it with the same features (interior zip pocket, magnetic snap closure, and long cross-body strap). With the left over pieces, I made a small matching zip pouch. This bag is available on Etsy.

Lime Vintage Cut Velvet Boho Bag

The next bag to come out of the sewing room is this boho gypsy style hip bag. It sports a vibrant lime green vintage cut velvet upholstery fabric paired with corduroy. A long strap can be worn across the body to hit comfortably at the hip or knotted to create a shorted shoulder strap. This design is slightly different that the previous champagne velvet with the addition of corduroy at the bottom of the bag. Although it was out of necessity, because of the size of the green remnant, I think I like it even better! :-)This one also has a magnetic snap closure and interior zipper pocket. I'm lovin the size of this bag and already picking out fabric to make one of my very own. :-)

This bag is available on Etsy.

Inspired By the Colors of Fall

We have had the most beautiful fall weather the last couple of weeks! Sitting out on the deck, looking up at the trees, I was inspired by the gorgeous colors of the leaves against the vibrant blue sky.

I decided to look through my vintage velvet stash for similar colors. I discovered that many of the cut velvets were in autumn hues.

I also found this lovely printed floral velvet with royal blue flowers with touches of yellow, red, and green. I paired it with a vintage camel colored cordouroy for this wristlet.

Most of the items shown are available on my website or my Etsy shop.

What Fall inspired projects are you working on?

Vintage Floral Velvets for Fall

Vintage printed velvets from the 1970's become new zip pouches. They are in pretty fall colors and have fun poppy and daisy floral designs. Available on Etsy and the website... more coming soon. :-)

Vintage Alphabet ~ Velvet, Whitework, X-Stitch

It's time again for the Vintage Alphabet link party. This month's letters are V, W, and X.

For V I'd love to show my collection of vintage vases, but they have already been packed and sent to the new house, so I have several vintage Velvet fabrics that I don't think I've posted about yet. The photo above shows a few cut or voided velvets.

I just love the yellow! Its from a vintage bedspread that had a bit of sun damage on one side...the perfect piece to cut for projects!And below is a trio of 70's nylon velvets in bright floral designs.

For W I have a small grouping of vintage Whitework embroidery.

And for X (wow, this one was hard!) I have a piece of vintage X-stitch and a vintage drapery fabric with a faux X-stitch design.

Be sure to stop by the Etsy Cottage Style blog to see more vintage Alphabet collections or add your own to the list!

New Vintage Velvets for Fall

I was thrilled to be able to buy more of these wonderful vintage cut velvet or sculpted velvet upholstery fabrics a couple of weeks ago. They are from the same local estate that the others came from. A talented woman, who did freelance upholstery work for years, had acquired many, many lovely fabrics. Her daughter has been working to clear the house and fabrics and was so sweet to contact me again. Some are large pieces cut from bolts, and others are swatch size pieces, which are great for wristlets and pouches, and many have multiple colorways.

There are cut velvets ( or raised velvets, sculpted chenilles, not sure of the correct term)...

printed velvets...

And my favorite, the multi colored floral velvets! Here are just a few...


I have 2-3 large bins filled with these types velvets as well as other damasks, brocades, and

matelasse. Needless to say, I've been busy sorting and hand washing these beautiful textiles and creating new wristlet and bag designs for the fall and winter seasons.

Have a great week and happy sewing, everyone!

Tailored Boho Chic Bag

This is the newest Boho Chic bag to come out of the sewing room. You may remember from this post the thought process that went into designing this bag. I wanted to incorporate the best of two worlds...Bohemian chic, with its generous size, richly textured vintage fabrics and saturated colors and Tailored Classic, highlighted by my love of linen and a more structured, clean line construction.
I've also included an interior zippered pocket on this one.
And a pretty velvet rose to accent the front.

This project is also part of The Twice Remembered Cottage "Make Your Monday" link event. Click the link above to see all the fun things bloggers are making this week.

I also wanted to pass along to the fans of Anna Maria Horner fabrics (gorgeous!) that Fabric.com has her Drawing Room line on sale right now for a great price! (Update- It looks like its all sold now. I hope you were able to get a yard or two.) Even though I already have a cupboard full of her fabric, I couldn't resist getting a few more yards. :-)

Vintage Cut Velvet Fabrics and Pouches

As cooler weather approaches, I start thinking about "winter" textiles...Corduroy, wool, velvet, cable knit, even Tartan plaids. One of my favorites is a vintage upholstery type fabric referred to as cut velvet or voided velvet.
It has a fabulous texture. Definition from the Textile Glossary: "Velvet with a cutout pattern or pile effect. Often seen with brilliant designs and patterns. Made on a Jacquard loom from a variety of fibers."
I'm not sure of the fiber content of mine, but they all washed up beautifully.

The vintage stuff is quite elusive, becoming harder and harder to find. And the new cut velvet upholstery fabrics are very expensive.
However, this summer I was thrilled to find several pieces; one at a flea market (the burgundy piece) and two at auction (2-toned blues). The green leaf above is one that I found several years ago.
I love the look of this elegant fabric used in a casual everyday item, so I've decided to use some of it to make zip pouches.
And even though its not one of the velvets, I made this pouch below from a vintage 60's fabric and just love it!!!
These will be listed on etsy or the website.

My computer is giving me fits lately and its taking me forever to load and edit photos. The monitor went out on me last week, so I've replaced that, but I think I may need to get a new computer as well. On the bright side, though, since I haven't been able to do much on the computer, I've gotten a lot of sewing done. :-)