Finished....

I finally remembered to take a few snapshots of some finished projects this past month. The first is a Bible cover I made for Madi girl this Easter. Her Bible is about to fall apart, so this will help it keep it together a bit longer! And the second is a new bag for myself. I realized when making it that I have not made a new bag for myself since last Easter. I am enjoying the new fabrics in this one.

Beautiful layers from the Past...

I finished with a big wholesale order this week and it has been a few weeks since I have sat at the machine for anything else:). Each night, I thought I would be able to sit down to work on some ideas swimming around in my brain, but the nights came and went with other priorities to tend to. But today has been a rainy day with no pressing needs outside the house, the kids have been hard at work on their studies and in between working with them, I was able to finish a new tote I hope to use at Easter. Most of my bags are pretty dark or wild:) so I have been slowly designing one that is neutral and a tad bit elegant for those dressier occasions.

Here is what I began with....

Two basic but lovely beige linen napkins-I found these at a thrift shop. I bought 4 of them for $2.00.

I have some muse boxes that I keep my laces, trims, doilies and hankies in not only for projects but for inspiration. I pulled these out to find just the right pieces to add to the tote.

I start by playing around and layering hankies and the needlework pieces I think I want to use.

Once I have it the way I like it...I take a picture for reference(the age of digital is so fabulous!) because then I back track and start sewing each piece on one by one, slowly layering them. Here are the steps I went through...

Sections of vintage hankies went on first.

Next I added the vintage needlework pieces, pinning them a bit just to keep them from bunching.

Once the front of the tote is finished( I left the back plain)-I picked out the fabric for the handles and the lining. This type of tote really would not need to be lined due to the way it was sewn but a little extra strength to it is always nice. I had set this striped bed linen aside for some summer beach pants for my Noah but there is just enough extra to cut a strap for the tote. It was just way to perfect looking to pass up.

Then for the lining I decided to pick this softer and subtle daisy bed linen fabric that kind of plays off of the yellow flowers on the hankie.

This is how it all turned out. It is a larger tote. I believe it is something like 20x20. But especially on Easter, with my husband being a Pastor, I am usually single- momming -it and require a few aides which require a large bag:) Let's call it the grown up version of a diaper bag since I no longer have babies but my wee ones still need a few things on longer mornings.

And here are a few favorite pics of mine of the process. ah..peace...

And last but not least, a quick pic of part of the wholesale order I filled this past week.

6 fun pillowcase dresses. It is that time again!

WeEkEnD SaLe-AND FEW NEW CUTIES IN THE SHOP

THE WEEKEND SALE IS ON!!!!! 20% OFF OF YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE. APRIL 9-11TH. MENTION THAT YOU READ ABOUT IT IN MY BLOG AND I WILL TAKE AN ADDITIONAL 5% OFF!!

HERE ARE A FEW OF THE NEWEST CUTIES IN THE SHOP.....

THIS ROOSTER MARKET TOTE WAS MADE FROM A FUN VINTAGE TEA TOWEL. JUST IN TIME FOR THOSE FABULOUS FLEA MARKETS!!!
SOME NEW RICE PACKS IN THE COLORS OF SPRING...
VINTAGE SWEETHEART NIGHTGOWN

SOME FUN NEW RECLAIMED FABRIC......
AND VINTAGE PILLOWCASES-JUST A FEW OF THE NEWER ITEMS IN THE SHOP.

What To Do With Vintage Linens #12-"I think"

It is funny how if you gather enough of the same thing, it all of the sudden becomes an inspiration in itself! That is what has happened with all of the bed linen hems that I have lopped off of the sheets I cut up. Those hems are like little treasures, especially to someone( ME)who likes "easy" sewing and quick solutions! I have always loved the hems for making pants for my kiddos like the one below.

These pants were made for my Madi girl who is 10. They were made from two king size pillowcases! The ruffle is so sweet at her feet, and what is even better is that it was already made! But I am getting off track here. I wanted to share today, what to do with the linen hems when they are cut off of the sheets. Below are a few combinations that I was able to put together with some saved hems.
SUMMERTIME!!!!

GIRLIE DREAMS....
Some hems are so detailed and so unique that they are art within themselves.

GRANDMA'S PORCH
HAPPY TOTE...
The first thing I did was to lay out the hems on a piece of fabric that would become the body of the bag. I simply sewed the hems in strips, starting at the bottom. I did roll the cut edge under so that the hem would be finished even though it was not going to show once it was layered with the remaining hems.
I have shown this in the photo above. Next I chose fabric to line the tote and to serve as handles. All was made from vintage linens. The body of fabric simple gets folded in half and is stitched on two sides leaving the top of the tote open. Then the wrong sides of the body and the lining are folded in , straps are pinned in and the body, lining, and handles are stitched together.

All finished and in the shop! Yeah...now to get those others finished!
And just to get that imagination going, here are some more possibilities for the hems to add to the countless possibilities...

How fun would it be to make a skirt with the layered look of these linen hems!
Or a blanket that would completely fascinate any little fingers.
Add them to a pair of pants that have become a bit too short.
Use them at the bottom of curtains.
These would be fantastic for creating a unique pillow as well...

What To Do With Vintage Bed Linens-#4

Spring is coming! I think!? We have had quite the tease here in the Midwest-do I wear shorts or my winter coat today!? None the less, I feel the fever coming on for sunshine, gardening, and days in the pool! So, feeling so inspired, I thought it would be nice to sew up a few reminders of the springtime blooms we are awaiting. If you have paid any attention the the bed linens of the 60's and 70's, they all tend to scream flower power!! Pretty fun if you some color in you day. And, they are not to difficult to coordinate! So many of them seem like they were meant for one another!

So, in preparation for ball games, days at the beach, summer camp, garage sales, and parades, simple totes make a perfect project for vintage bed linens. They make wonderful book bags, just throw in your favorite book, journal, pen, and of course you camera and have it ready for the unexpected moments of inspiration. Or, bring it to the hospital full of goodies for a friend who needs some cheer.
















Happy sewing from one bag lady to the next!!