Cold Weather and Warm-Hearted Friends

Like much of the country, we have had our share of snow and cold weather this winter.  And earlier this week, found ourselves in the deep freeze of the polar vortex.  brrrrrr  
But a sweet package arrived to brighten my week.  A lovely pair of handmade kitchen goodies from the talented quilter, blogger, and pattern designer, Stephanie of Loft Creations! (Who, by the way, now has her very own book!)
I just had to share a picture of them in front of the vintage bread sign hanging in my kitchen.  Look how awesome they go together.  And the little pear applique on the hot pad is all vintage fabrics...too perfect.  :)

 

And in an effort to make peace with all the snow, I've put together a few vintage fabrics that remind me of snowflakes.

These are all from the 1950's.  The design is sort of a Penn-Dutch, geo-floral that was quite popular at the time.  I've always liked them as they were reminiscent of the Spirograph designs of my childhood. And although similar, they were each unique, like snowflakes.  :)

Stay warm, everyone!  Only 10 more weeks until spring! (ugh, can that be right?)lol

EpiPen Case

This was a little project for a friend of mine. Her daughter has peanut allergies and she wanted a pretty case for her Epipen.

I made two different styles (actually 3, but didn't get a picture of one of them).  I also made a small label to identify the contents.

I used a computer printer fabric sheet for the label, backed it with interfacing and satin stitched around the edge.  Then just trimmed any excess fabric close to the stitching.  Because the ink isn't washable, I just basted it on to the case with large stitches.  That way she can remove it if she ever does need to clean it. (Update: I just found out that they do make one that's washable.)

Have you ever used the printer fabric?  I'm wondering how I could use the other 3+ sheets in the pack.  :)

Cotton Laminate Bible/Book Cover

I recently got a new bible and it's light gray leather. It an effort to keep it from getting pen marks or scuffs, I wanted to make a cover for it.
I also wanted more page markers than the 2 it came with.  So this is what I came up with...

I used a cotton laminate by Amy Butler.  The cover is a very simple design, unlined.  I just measured from the edge of the front cover around the spine to the edge of the back, then added 7 inches (this left me 3.5 inches for each side to hem and fold to the inside). I also added 1" to the book's height for seam allowance.   I sewed the pockets right sides together and then turned them out.  Then stitched down the section between the pockets at the top and bottom.

 



I also cut 2 long thin strips of laminate to use as extra page markers.  I glued them in between a folded piece of card stock 1" wide, and slipped it down behind the leather at the spine.  I could have attached them directly to the laminate cover, too. But I'm not sure how they will hold up and if they get too frayed looking, I'd like to be able to remove and replace them.

I like it!  Now I'm looking around to see what other books might need a pretty cover.  :)

Sewing Party Projects

This past weekend I got together with a bunch of friends at the local library for a sewing/craft party.  We had coffee and snacks and all brought projects we wanted to work on and fabric we wanted to trade or give away.  One girl was teaching crochet techniques, another was hand sewing a doll, and several of us had our sewing machines and were finishing up half-started projects.

Here's what I accomplished that night; A little bunny wristlet and a few vintage fabric key chains.

I had cut most of the pieces for this little pouch years ago, but as with many projects, it got stuck in a drawer and forgotten.  I love this vintage children's fabric (its a 1940's Puritan Print called "Mail Time") and have used many of the cute little scenes before.  On this wristlet I used the bunny on the front and a strip with the bluebird on the back.

I also tried out some new key chain hardware.  This was just another way to use up tiny scraps of vintage fabric that I can't throw away.  I only needed about a 1.5 inch strip for these.

It was a fun and fairly productive evening.  I wish I would have remembered to take some pictures while I was there, but apparently I felt the need to defend my title as "World's Worst Blogger".  lol
Have a great week everyone!

Quick Sweater ReMake

I don't usually sew clothing items, I'm much more comfortable with small accessories.  But, this weekend I did attempt a very simple sweater remake.  I had been looking for a taupe cardigan to wear with skirts, dresses, and also jeans.  You'd think it would be easy enough to find, but I wasn't having any success despite hitting 2 large malls and several other stores like TJMaxx, Target, and Marshalls.

But, I did find a V-neck pullover at Macy's.  It was the perfect color and it was on sale!  So, I thought it might be a good candidate for a remake.

I simply cut it straight up the center and then serged the cut edges.

Then I just hand stitched a rolled hem.

I wore it yesterday, and I'm happy with how it turned out.  I'm debating about whether to add a closure of some sort.  Maybe a little hidden hook and eye, or a small ribbon tie, or possibly a vintage button with loop.

I'll play around with these options and see what I like best.  All in all, I'm happy with the outcome.  :)
How about you? Have you attempted any clothing remakes lately?

Vintage Feedsacks from Arkansas

I just returned from a trip to Arkansas.  We were there mainly to visit dear friends, but also to see a part of the country we hadn't been to before.  We spent a few days in the Ozarks in the lodge at Mt Magazine.  Gorgeous place and stunning views. 

Then we headed over to our friends in Fayetteville.  Fayetteville is a cute little college town with a Farmer's market in the town square, little coffee shops, and hip vintage stores showcasing Midcentury Modern décor. 

While I would have loved to come home with some of the furniture pieces, room in the car was tight, so I had to limit purchases to smaller items.  As with many of the antique malls around here, fabric yardage was scarce, but thankfully, I was able to find some fun feedsacks.
Of course, the pink is my favorite.

I really like it when I can find multiples of the same print and this navy blue dot and pink & blue floral came in pairs.  :)

And I thought this blue one with little doodle flower pictures was just too cute.

I also found a couple yards of a Waverly Glosheen fabric in pink and orange...such a fun color combo!

I bought a 6 yard length of vintage toweling, but it's still drying on the line, so I'll have to share that one another time.  :)
It was still pretty green in the Ozarks, but we drove through some pretty fall color in Missouri.  Have the leaves turned yet where you are?
Enjoy the week, everyone!

Antique Fabrics

I think most collectors categorize "antique fabrics" as those that are 100 years old or older.  In quilting cottons, that means that generally the selvage width is around 24"-27" wide.  (By the 1930's, most cotton quilt fabrics had transitioned to a 34"-36" width.)
 Although I've found small scraps and quilt blocks, I can't say that I've found very many unused, full width antique fabrics.  But I do have a few...so, I thought I share them with you today.

This first one is my favorite.  Its a double pink or cinnamon pink dating from the 1880-1900's.  It is a 4 yard piece in lovely condition with a 24" selvage width and it retains it's original "Allens Pinks" label.  SCORE!

I also have a cute paisley with polka dots likely dating to the early 1900's.  It, too, is several yards long, has a 24" selvage width, and is in amazing unused condition.  (I should hold up so well after a hundred years on this planet. lol)

Another paisley, a popular design motif of the era, this time in darker, richer colors.  This one feels like a brushed cotton or light weight flannel and has a slight twill weave.

This next pretty paisley is terribly faded and was likely used as a part of a quilt back. But, it was so pretty, it had to come home with me for reference or just a bit of eye-candy.

I can only imagine how pretty the colors were when it was first made...pink, tans, and robin's egg blue. Such a pretty combination!
That about does it for the quilt fabrics of that era, I think the only other antique piece in my inventory at the moment is an unused toile home décor or drapery fabric.  It has a 30" selvage width and a finely detailed cherub and pastoral scene in a deep aubergine or eggplant color.

I imagine that these early fabrics may be more readily found on the east coast, but around here, they are few and far between.  So, I'm grateful for even the small collection I have.  :)
I have a couple listed in my Etsy shop this month, but they are also available on the website.
How about you?  Any antique textiles in your stash?