Wednesday, November 13, 2013

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!

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?  

Sunday, October 13, 2013

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!