BSA Eagle Scout Memory Quilt or Banner

Just a little show-and-tell today….. something I made for my favorite Eagle Scout, a memory quilt wall hanging or banner.

The center fabric panel is a reprint of a Norman Rockwell painting that I just love.  To the right of it I stitched a tan panel to display his rank patches as he advanced.  Included is the Arrow of Light patch at the bottom that carried over from Webelos.

The badges around the edges of the quilt are the badges that he earned while a Scout.  I left a little space on the upper left to add three additional badges that he's earned but not received quite yet.

Also represented are his Conservation Award (the panda patch), the 100 year anniversary patch and a patch he got while hiking and camping at Philmont Scout Ranch this past summer.

Accented with red and a scouty green, the quilt is backed with another Boy Scout themed fabric shown below.

quilt back

To finish the memory quilt wall hanging I stitched a tube to the back so that a dowel could be inserted and it could be hung on the wall.

This Boy Scout memory wall quilt or banner was finished just in time for his Eagle Scout ceremony -- so proud of him!

Awesome Vintage Embroidery Pattern Site!

This morning I was browsing Pinterest (which is one of my favorite things to do!) and found a wonderful site for vintage embroidery patterns.  It's a Flickr site called Hoop Love Vintage Transfers and it's loaded with vintage transfer embroidery patterns!  You can find it here.  It's a member site and you need to have a Flickr account but it's easy to join and worth it if embroidery is your thing.

The site is specific to vintage patterns from companies that are no longer in business.  So patterns from Aunt Martha and Vogart are not allowed but there are so many -- over 7,600! -- patterns that are absolutely adorable.  Here is small a sampling: 

You can see where my heart lies with these images, but there are so many patterns to choose from:  floral, folk, alphabets, cross stitch, borders and more!

These patterns are perfect for baby blankets and clothes, bibs and aprons, tea towels, pillowcases and sheets, hankies, tablecloths and hot pads,  just about anything that could use a little handmade love and color!

Check out this site if you want to explore the mother load of vintage embroidery transfer patterns!

Cross Top Bib Apron Pattern

As promised, here is another great apron pattern from the same vintage World War II pattern book as the last pattern.  This pattern is a bit more challenging but the end result is worth it.  What a classic, lovely style!

Previous sewing experience will be helpful when using this pattern and following the original directions.

The instructions as originally printed:

You will need to draft your pattern using the following scale.  Each square represents an inch.

Back view of the finished apron:

For additional helpful information, check my previous post. You can find it here.  It includes information about how to scale your pattern and how to gather your fabric by machine.  I've got a couple more of these gems so check back soon!

Pretty Little Half Apron Pattern

This pretty little half apron pattern comes from a vintage 1945 pattern book.  There are several apron patterns in this book and I'll be sharing some of them over the next few days for your enjoyment.

You could make this apron in plaid as indicated or it would be just as cute in floral or novelty fabric.  

Previous sewing experience will be helpful.  However, if the instructions are followed carefully even a beginner could tackle this sewing project.

The instructions are printed here.  The "How to Make Patterns" description follows the pattern diagrams below.

Pattern diagrams to draft.  Each square represents 1":

The following information will help you to draft your patterns. You'll want to refer back to this information for future apron patterns from this pattern book series:

Back view of this half apron:

I love the look of this half apron and the ruffle detailing.  A perfect apron for entertaining!  

I'll be posting several more apron patterns from this vintage pattern book so keep checking back for more freebies!  Happy Sewing!

Easy Crochet Ladies Hat Pattern

With the weather cooling down it's time to dig out your warm clothing and gear up for winter.  This time of year is perfect for rebooting your winter wardrobe and adding a new warm hat or two.  This easy crochet pattern is an oldie but a goodie.  I love the quirkiness of the design!  

The instructions as they were originally printed:

This hat comes together so quickly that you could make a couple for yourself and some for gifts in no time!  Hope you enjoy this free vintage crochet pattern!

Cozy Bed Jacket and Silk Panties Patterns

Here are a couple of patterns for the lady of the house.  A cozy bed jacket and a pair of silk panties.  The bed jacket can be made without cutting a paper pattern but it might be easier for the less experienced seamstress to make a paper pattern first.

One suggestion for this bed jacket was wool challis but I think a lightweight polar fleece would work too and would be so soft and cuddly on a cold winter morning.

You can trim the edges with a buttonhole stitch as indicated below but trimming in a soft cotton lace would be pretty too.

Bed Jacket 

From the book:

"Whether or not you eat breakfast in bed, like the lady in the sketch, a warm wool bed jacket is a comfortable thing to own.  The one shown here may be cut without a pattern.  You will need 1-1/2 yards of 36" material or 1 yard of 54" goods."

Directions:
"All the dimensions for cutting are given in the diagram [see below].  Fold the material the long way through the center as at A.  Slash the center front opening.  Round the back of the neck slightly, also the lower corners of the front opening.  Measure down from the fold along the ends of the material 9" to mark the width of the sleeves.  Measure in 15" from the lower corners to mark the length of the sleeves.  Cut the underarm seams as shown here.  When the seams have been stitched, roll the edges and buttonhole them with contrasting pearl cotton or rope silk embroider thread as at C."

Finish with a pretty ribbon tie as illustrated.

The following panties pattern is a little more complicated.  You might want to draft a paper pattern and sew it in cotton muslin first before using your lovely silk.  These panties are more like tap pants and would be comfy paired with a dainty camisole.

Previous sewing experience will be necessary to create the following garment.

Panties From 3/4 Yard of Silk

 The instructions read:

"You can make your own pattern for the pair of panties shown here and, if you are size 36 or smaller, you can cut them from 3/4 yard of silk.  A little more material will be needed for larger sizes."

"How to Cut -- Dimensions for making the front of the pattern for size 36 are given in Diagram A [see below].  The back in the diagram at B [pattern below].  For every size larger, make the paper 1" wider and 2" deeper.  For every size smaller, make the paper 1/2" narrower and 1" shorter.  Measure in from the corners of the paper the distances indicated here and make dots; then draw straight lines from dot to dot.  When you have made your pattern cut two front pieces and two back pieces."

"How to Make -- The side seams and the top of the front sections are cut on the straight of the goods.  French seams are used.  

1) Sew the center front seam.  

2) Sew the center back.  

3) Face the lower edge of the sections.  

4) Sew the side seams leaving the top of each open.  Finish these openings by rolling and whipping the edges.  

5) Sew the crotch seam.  

6) Sew the darts in the back.  

7) Face the top with a straight facing.  

8) Sew on buttons.  

9) Make loops for fastening."

How luxurious to have custom made silk panties!  The panties paired with a pretty camisole would be so cozy to sleep in.  Then, in the morning you can slip on your handcrafted bed jacket made out of warm wool or soft polar fleece.  Who's going to want to get out of bed then?  

Doll Dress, Slip & Panties Patterns

These patterns for a doll dress, slip and panties are from the same vintage World War II pattern books that I was perusing yesterday.  The beauty of these patterns is that they're adaptable to any size doll.  

Like yesterday's apron patterns, having previous sewing experience will be helpful and necessary in drafting and sewing these doll garments.

A Dress to Fit Any Doll

The instructions for the doll dress:
"To make a yoke pattern for a doll's dress, cut two squares of paper as deep and as wide as one quarter of the doll's chest measure plus 1/2 inch.  Divide these pieces into squares as in Diagram 1 and 2 [see below].  Now, draw the yoke outline to cross the squares as shown.  The center front at A, and the center back at B, should be placed on a fold.

"For the sleeve pattern, cut paper as deep as the yoke and twice as wide as the measurement around the top of the doll's arm.  Draw the triangle guide in Diagram 3 [see below], centering the top point and making the base one quarter the depth of the paper from the bottom.  Shape the front of the sleeve top to curve as at the left of the triangle and the back as at the right.  Shape the bottom as shown,  The skirt of the dress is straight and, before gathering, should measure three times around the bottom of the yoke."

Doll Slip and Panties

The instructions for the doll slip and panties:

"The dress yoke pattern may be used as a foundation for shaping the front and back of a slip pattern, as shown by the dotted lines at the left.  The neck and armhole are cut a little deeper than the yoke, and flare is added to the skirt.  The center line, shown here at A [see below], is placed on a fold of the goods in cutting.

"For the front of the panty pattern, cut a piece of paper a little wider than one half the doll's hip measurement and as deep as the length of the panties plus allowance for finishes.  Crease or map the paper in squares, as at B [see below], and use these as guide lines in shaping the crotch and the bottom of the legs, also, the waistline, as shown, The back of the panties is cut like the front except that the waistline is straight."

Once you create the paper patterns for your doll you'll be able to create as many little dresses for her as you want, maybe even a whole new wardrobe!  

These patterns may have come from vintage World War II pattern books but the design is timeless and would certainly make lovely garments today for your special doll.  Enjoy!

World War II Era Apron Patterns

Back in the day when resources were limited, our foremothers used their creativity and ingenuity to come up with the things that they needed from the things they already had on hand.  These simple yet functional aprons are an example of this "make do or do without" attitude.  These patterns came from a vintage World War II series of craft books.

You'll need to draft the patterns onto larger paper and the very general instructions including measurements and directions are listed here.

These patterns were created for experienced seamstresses who had some sewing skills.

The Frill Apron

This first pattern is a pretty bib apron with ruffles.  It calls for 1-1/2 yards chintz or cotton print fabric and one yard plain fabric 36" wide.

The instructions say:

"For the skirt, cut a piece 27" wide and 23" deep.  Fold lengthwise, as at A (illustration below), then measure down from the top and in from the corners the distance indicated and mark the dots.  Using the dots as a guide, mark the outline of the apron skirt."

Illustration A

The dimensions for the bib are in illustration B (below):

The pocket pattern in illustration C (below):

Illustration C

The instructions for the ties and shoulder straps:  
"The ties are 6" wide and 36" long.  The strip for the belt is 2-1/2" wide.  The shoulder straps are cut 4" wide and then creased through the center."

And for the ruffles:
"The ruffles are cut 6" wide.  The ruffle material before it is gathered should be 2-1/2 times the length of the space it is to fill after gathering.  Use your machine hemmer foot shown here for hemming the ruffles."

Hemmer Foot

Half Aprons

The suggestion for these half aprons was to use unbleached muslin either by-the-yard or back then, flour or feed sacks.

The instructions say:
"The diagram shown here gives you cutting dimensions for the skirt part of a plain little apron; and shows how to shape the waistline.  Belts for half apron are rather wide now -- 2" or 2-1/2" finished.  Ties are generally 4" wide and as long as you like."

The best part about this little project was that ladies were encouraged to have a sewing bee and plan and cut their aprons with a group of friends.  The idea was to trade trimmings and share resources.

Three Aprons Pattern

This is my favorite, three aprons from one length of fabric!

The instructions say:

"You can make your own pattern for this apron with the dimensions in the sketch.  If you are following the trend of using un-dyed materials make the aprons of unbleached muslin, and very gay they will be if you use bright bindings and colorful scraps for the round appliqué flowers and triangle leaves.  The binding will make lattice and finish edges of pockets.  Three aprons may be cut from two yards of 36" fabric with almost no waste."

The cutting diagram: 

If you have some sewing experience you'll find these patterns to be a good guide to get you started.  If you need more guidance in creating an apron, either for yourself or for a gift, visit my shop for some fun, retro full sized paper apron patterns.  The full size paper patterns are ready for use and don't require any drafting.

The vintage pattern books that these patterns came from are full of all kinds of awesome do-it-yourself projects!  These apron patterns will get you started on your own make-do project!

1920 Apron Pattern With Filet Crochet Edging

For the crochet lovers out there we have this filet crochet pattern featuring bluebirds.  This is another treasure from the vintage 1920 pattern book that I've been pouring over for the past few days.

This neat little pattern makes a lovely apron, as you can see... and who doesn't need a new apron?  The pattern featured here is for the crochet edging and the beading at the top and very general instructions for the apron construction.  

The instructions:

The pattern:

Just like the patterns in my last post, this design could be used for filet crochet or cross stitch.  The instructions suggest using this design for a crocheted dresser scarf but I could see using it for any number of things.... crochet one bird and use it as a pocket on an up-cycled sweater, or trim hand towels for the guest bathroom.

Or imagine this lovely design at the hem of a beautiful, handmade heirloom Christening gown, or at the yoke of a First Communion dress; they actually look like doves to me.

Whatever you choose to make with this design will be lovely, I'm sure!  

Filet Crochet or Cross Stitch Animal Motifs

Today I have the animal filet crochet or cross stitch patterns that I mentioned previously.  These designs are also from the vintage 1920 pattern book that the last patterns came from.  These little guys were originally designed for a baby coverlet but could be used for anything.  

The instructions from the book say size 50 or 60 thread with a number 12 steel crochet hook.  Each grid gives an approximate finished size as well as how many meshes or squares are involved.

This chicken design would look terrific cross stitched onto a kitchen towel:

This would be so cute in a baby's room!

Imagine this little fellow cross stitched onto a Christmas stocking:

Stork for a baby shower:

A bunny for Easter:

Make this in orange and black for a Halloween candy dish towel:

Another design that speaks kitchen to me:

 Longer motifs for crocheted pillowcase edgings or towels.  They could be cross stitched for simple samplers too for baby's room.

 The book offers these suggestions:  "All the work patterns of the animals are suitable for either filet crochet or cross stitch work and they may be used in many ways to make the nursery a delight to its little owner."

Pony or horse:

Can't forget Fido for the dog lover!

Another bird motif:

This would look lovely in a country cabin:

The natural designs of these images would make perfect handmade Christmas ornaments.  The simplicity of the patterns would make teaching cross stitch to children easy and delightful.

The images used alone or used together, crocheted or cross stitched, these lovely little patterns offer so many possibilities.  Enjoy!