Overdyed Cut Velvet

I tried my hand at a fun project this weekend... dying velvet.  If you've been here before, you know about my crazy obsession affection for vintage cut velvet fabrics. I have a pretty good variety of colors and patterns, but, at times, I find myself craving something a bit brighter. Last year, one of my sweet customers on Etsy (who makes the most gorgeous bags at Ladida Handbags) told me about her experience with dying velvets.  And that's when I turned to Rit Dye.  For these first attempts, I chose velvets that had light backgrounds and could withstand hot water.

For the pink, I tested a piece taken from a used bates bedspread. As you can see if the first photo, it started out as yellow, tan, and cream. The end result was a pretty mix of light and dark pink, orange, and yellow.

The next piece took a bath in teal. (If you give this a try, I suggest covering everything with a layer of plastic and towels and get yourself a cute pair of long rubber gloves.)
Once it reached the desired color, I hung it outside until it was just slightly damp.

Then I popped it in the dryer to fluff up the fibers.

And here is what this one looked like before,

Although I really like the original colors, especially the yellow, its nice to have the ability to create a piece of hard-to-find cut velvet in the color I want.   :D

I hope to turn these pieces into small bags and pouches this week.
What about you, have you ever tried overdying fabric?

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!

Vintage Corduroy Fabric

This week's post is about vintage corduroy fabrics.  Although corduroy is generally thought of as a winter clothing fabric, its a fabulous year-round textile for quilts, bags, and other accessories.
I find it very easy to sew and love to pair it with similar weight fabrics such as barkcloth, wool tweeds, and printed and cut velvets.

I remember corduroy being very popular in the 1970's, and had a well-loved pair of orange corduroy gauchos when I was a kid.  :)  This cute Penn-Dutch print was likely produced around that same time.

This next one is my favorite ( love the color combo of teal, navy, and olive) and is probably a little earlier, 1960's, I imagine.

It is a great match with the solid teal, as are several other fabrics.  The bright Fairy tale barkcloth is just begging to be paired up with it!

I also have a couple vintage linen towels that pair well with the solids.

Not sure yet what project these combos will be used for.  But what about you? Have you worked with this sturdy, versitile fabric?   Any other fans of corduroy out there? 
There's a lot of nasty weather across the country this week, stay safe 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.

Champagne Cut Velvet Bags

I've been in the sewing room making some more bags. My focus this week was a lovely shimmery champagne colored vintage cut velvet. I've been wanting to make a larger shoulder bag and this upholstery fabric was perfect for it. I paired the velvet with a tan corduroy and added a long shoulder strap that can be worn across the body. A magnetic snap and interior zippered pocket will keep items secure.

I also had enough fabric left over to create a matching foldover clutch. I love the simple design and think it would be right at home with jeans as well as a fancier evening out. Both of these bags are available for a limited time on the website with free US shipping before being added to the Etsy Shop. I have a couple more of the larger bags almost completed and will share those soon.

Has cooler weather inspired more activity in your sewing room, too? :-)

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 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!