Kitten Softie Toy Pattern

This adorable kitten softie is part of the Kitty Family Vintage Toy Animal Sewing Pattern that's been very popular in my Etsy shop for some time now.  The kitten is super easy to sew with minimal pieces and can be made out of scrap fabric.

This little cutie was part of an iron transfer pattern and you'll need to enlarge the pattern pieces to the size desired.  The pattern includes a 1/4" seam allowance.  

The original pattern main body measures about 8" from top of ears to bottom of paws but these pattern pieces can be reproduced any size you'd like.  Simply cut out the pattern pieces and follow the directions indicated.  For the face, use your favorite transfer pen or transfer method, then embroider.

This is what mama kitty looks like and the family together is really sweet.  This vintage pattern is I think from the 1950s and I've heard several nostalgic stories from the fond memories this little family congers up.

If you'd like to purchase the full size pattern and the pattern for the mama kitty, visit my Etsy shop here.    As you can see from the illustration, mama and kittens in different patterns or colors would be fun and  so cute!

Free Vintage French Cross Stitch Patterns

These vintage cross stitch charts come from an old French pattern book, one of a series.  The book features the color plates without listing floss colors, so you can pick the colors you like best.

Most of the plates are a readable size, but you might want to enlarge them for easier reading.

The imagery would look lovely cross stitched onto a sampler or other textiles.  Enjoy these free patterns!

Children's Motifs for Cross Stitch or Filet Crochet

Just like I promised, here are some more vintage cross stitch or filet crochet patterns from some of my wonderful vintage pattern books circa 1920s.  These adorable patterns were originally designed for a handmade rug and a child's chair cover, but they could be used for any number of things.  They are mostly animal motifs and remind me of a circus theme and I have to say, they're pretty dang cute!  Here you go:

Monkey:

Bear:

Duck:

Puppy dog:

Elephant:

 Boys:

Flower motif:

Girls:

Kitty cat: 

Pony or horse:

 Deer:

Sheep:

Stork:

Alphabet:

These vintage animal and alphabet patterns would look great incorporated into a baby's sampler, stitched onto a baby bib, filet crocheted onto a baby pillow, you could cross stitch onto a gingham dress or toddler's apron.  Really, there are so many things you could do with these cute, retro cross stitch or filet crochet patterns.  Have fun stitching!

Vintage 1920s Filet Crochet and Cross Stitch Patterns

As promised, more free vintage cross stitch or filet crochet patterns!  These patterns are more of the same series that I scanned recently so they're from the same time period, the 1910s and 1920s.  Just like the others, you can either use them as a template for cross stitch or, if you're into crochet, filet crochet.

The first two are pretty sprays of flowers that kind of remind me of fuchsias or lily of the valley:

A nice old fashioned rose pattern:

Easy little flower motif:

Here's another pattern that would look so sweet on a baby dress yoke, either cross stitched or filet crochet.  Love this little pattern!:

Nice corner patterns for hankies or napkins, these would also look great in the center of pretty handmade pillow covers:

This one's pretty elaborate but could be used for sheet edgings or the ends of a table runner:

I hope you enjoy these patterns as much as I've enjoyed sharing them with you!  And to think, it all started with a search through my vintage pattern book collection of something else entirely!  Now that I've hit the books, let's see what else I come up with to share.  Enjoy!

Free Simple Vintage Cross Stitch Patterns

Like I promised, here are more vintage cross stitch patterns from my vintage pattern book collection.  These are simple, easy patterns that should come together quickly and can be done in your favorite colors of choice or in monochrome.  If crochet is your thing, these can also be used for filet crochet just as the first pattern indicates.

In honor of Easter, the first pattern has some really cute little bunnies that would look adorable on baby's bib:

Love the little gnomes in the center of this pattern page and the roosters at the bottom!  What a great motif for kitchen towels:

Here are a few simple corner patterns for napkins or small pillows:

Dainty little floral patterns would look lovely on a baby's yoke dress, either cross stitched or filet crochet:

 Stay tuned, coming up next, more vintage color plates for cross stitch embroidery!

Free Cross Stitch or Filet Crochet Patterns for Baby

On a bright, sunny day like today, you'd think I'd be out reveling in it.  But no, I'm totally absorbed in my vintage pattern book collection.  Naturally, I was looking for one thing, got distracted, and found these charming patterns instead.  These patterns came from a few different vintage pattern books dated from the 1910s and 1920s and all could be used for baby or toddler themed projects.  They can be worked in either cross stitch or filet crochet.

This first set shows an example in "plate 27"below of a small bag with these "School Days" images embroidered on it.  I can imagine these little girls embroidered on a sweet toddler's dress or on a babies pillow or sheet set, or even a lunch sack made by mom for that first day of school.  Or if crochet is your passion, these charts would be easy to read and could be adapted to any number of projects.

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The following patterns came from a different vintage pattern book dated 1916 and could be used for dainty baby clothes, caps or booties, blankets, diaper covers, you name it.  Or they could be used for napkins, book covers, embellishments to your clothing or tea towels.  I especially the the nautical scene on the second page:

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If you have experience sewing and want to combine your love of cross stitch, sewing and crochet into a special dress for your favorite little girl, here's a neat project for you.  The first page below describes the process, you just need to either have a plain, simple old-fashioned style dress already, or you could make one yourself out of lawn or fine cotton.

Here's the instruction sheet:

The yoke embroidery pattern:

And the yoke and sleeve crochet charts:

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The following vintage patterns came from a lovely vintage 1922 pattern book.  These are also suitable for either cross stitch or filet crochet.

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I'll be posting more vintage cross stitch and filet crochet patterns, some in color and some like the charts just above, so stay tuned.  Who knows what I'll find next in my vintage pattern book library!