Showing posts with label handmade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label handmade. Show all posts

Friday, November 8, 2013

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!


Tuesday, October 29, 2013

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!

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

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!

Saturday, October 19, 2013

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!

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

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?  

Monday, September 30, 2013

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!

Friday, September 27, 2013

Free Baby Cap and Bonnet Patterns

It's the end of September and there's a chill in the air.  Cold weather means bundling up, especially for little ones.

These two vintage crochet patterns fit the bill perfectly!  They are as adorable now as they were "back in the day" and will stitch up very quickly.  The first, a toque, would be perfect for a boy or girl and is super easy to make.





The second vintage crochet pattern is for a bonnet and it too would be perfect for either a boy or a girl.  In fact, because it ties with a ribbon at the chin, it would probably be preferable for a younger baby because the ribbon will help it stay in place.



Both the cap and bonnet can be made in various color schemes to match jackets and coats.  And, with the holidays coming up, these would also make lovely gifts.  I'm thinking of some lucky nieces and nephews this Christmas!

I'm so pleased to share these free vintage crochet patterns from my vintage pattern book collection -- enjoy and happy stitching!


Sunday, March 3, 2013

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!