The Sewing Room

Another Scarf

2011-12-22T09:51:00.000-08:00

I fell in love with this gray linen scarf

that I saw on Pinterest.

source

Not having any linen in my stash,

I did come up with a bit of

gray Wool Flannel.

I stitched a length of it together

and crocheted an edge similar to the original

and for a touch of Christmas,

pinned it with my Pear Tree pin.

Just in time to wear to a sweet

Granddaughters ballet recital

as a Mouse in The Nutcracker!

Red Buffalo Check Scarf

2011-12-16T17:18:00.000-08:00

I've had this classic Red Check flannel

fabric in my stash since last winter

(when big checks were popular!)

I quickly cut and stitched this

scarf in less than five minutes.

Pulling out the threads to make the fringe ~

quite a bit longer!

The Burlap Wreath Gets a Little Christmas On!

2011-12-02T14:34:00.001-08:00

You may remember this burlap wreath that I

made in October. I love the simplicity

and country style of it. The burlap

looks as if it were cut right from the

feed sack! Perfect for those

harvest-y Autumn days

here at the farm.

Now that Christmas is approaching and the

days are shorter and drab,

I wanted to add just a touch

of festive color to cheer it

(and me) up!

I used some plaid wired ribbon

that I already had. I

made several little 'picks' of

the ribbon fashioned into

loops to mimic the looped

burlap, and fastened here and there.

Then I added a larger gathering

to the center of the burlap bow.

It still wanted something.

I have had this little German Glitter Banner

that I had recieved from Madai at

Wren Cottage a couple of years ago, and

thought it might be just the addition it needed.

The glitter is a bit tarnished with age now

but I think it added just the right touch!

Simple ~ Country

Just like me!

Yep! I like it

It brings me a bit of JOY!

Rustic Burlap Wreath

2011-10-28T20:36:00.000-07:00

Using items that I already had,

I made a burlap wreath

for the front door

to go with my Crow Pillow !

If you would like to make one, too,

you will need:

2 yds. 54 inch wide burlap

12 inch wreath frame

wire for securing burlap to wreath frame

Cut 5 burlap strips 9inches wide

cutting from selvage to selvage through the burlap.

No need to be precise ~ it's rustic

so just eyeball it.

Use one of the strips to wrap around your wreath frame.

Secure with wire, leaving a tail (this will be the hanger)

and do not cut wire from the package.

Take another of the burlap strips and loosely fold in half with

the seam at the back.

(It won't stay, but this is the general shape you want your strips.)

With the longest piece at the back, fold a section over

and pinch to make a piece that looks similar to

a half of a bow.

Secure with the long piece of wire

(still attached to the carton)

wrapping around the wreath frame.

Continue folding and wrapping burlap

with the wire to the frame

covering the wire of the

proceeding fold with each

new one added.

When you run out of one piece of burlap

continue in the same manner with consecutive pieces

until the entire frame is covered.

I alternated the direction of the folds ~

first to the right and the next one a little toward

the left to help conceal the wire and give

a bit of a fuller look to the wreath.

I used 4 strips of burlap to complete the circle of the

wreath. You may need more or less, depending on how full

you want it to look and your folding technique.

When your wreath is as full as you like and have

completely covered the frame, cut the wire a few inches

long and twist together with the initial piece left

for the hanger to secure the burlap.

Embellish however you like.

I added a burlap bow ~ a piece of burlap

folded in a bow shape...

...and knotted with a second long strand

over the bow and wreath frame.

My finished rustic burlap wreath!

Ready to hang on the door!

When it is daylight!

Tomorrow!

~*~

Joining

Deborah Jean for Farmgirl Friday #30

Tracie for Outdoor Fall Decor #5

Jami for Well Made Wednesday

Cindy for Show and Tell Friday

Rustic 'Crow' Pillow

2011-10-12T08:54:00.000-07:00

I whipped up a simple, rustic pillow

with a crow silhouette for

my Autumn Porch bench.

Every farm has a crow or two, you know!

~*~

I found a free image online and printed it out

on card stock, then using an exacto knife, cut out

the image leaving a 'stencil' of the crow.

I placed the stencil on my precut burlap

and filled the image space with

black acrylic paint using a cheap

sponge brush.

Let the paint dry over night.

I lined the burlap with inexpensive muslin

and stitched the three sides with my machine.

I whip stitched closed the bottom of the pillow using a

large upholstery needle and some hemp twine.

This is a rustic outdoor pillow, after all!

Here sits my little crow pillow...

eager to Welcome guests who blow in

with the Autumn winds!

~*~
Joining Tracie at Fishtail Cottage for
Outdoor Decor #3
and
My Romantic Home for
Show and Tell Friday!
and
Deborah Jean's Farmgirl Friday #28.
and
Kim at Savvy Southern Style for
Wow Us Wednesday!
and
Jami at An Oregon Cottage for
Well-Made Wednesday!

Morgan's Ballet Bag

2011-01-17T16:35:00.001-08:00

She didn't have one.

Every little ballerina needs a

Ballet Bag

to hold shoes and other necessary items!

Morgan loves red!

Grandma loves Morgan!

Grandma made Morgan a

Red Ballet Bag!

In case you were wondering

2011-01-12T13:15:00.000-08:00

Remember, you were guessing, in the previous post, what these gifts were that I was sewing.

Scroll down to see the finished product!

Classic and subdued

Flamboyant and bright

Any Season Robes!

Pattern by Cindy Taylor Oates
of Taylor Made Designs.

Just a hint...

2010-12-16T10:17:00.001-08:00

...of what I have been working on for Christmas!

Classic and subdued for Daughter #1

Flamboyant and bright for Daughter #2.

Do you like to guess what presents are at Christmas time?
Do you shake boxes and guess at the size and shape?
To prevent this at our home when the girls were young,
I would choose one style of wrapping paper for each person
but not put a tag on the gift.
Only I knew which ones went to whom!
They didn't know if it was their gift,
their sister's, or any of the
other recipients gifts!
They were only to be revealed on
Christmas Morning!

What do you think these are?
I would enjoy reading your guesses!
I will reveal them when they are finished!

Christmas Blessings to each and every one of you,
My Sweet Blogging Friends!

Because every man needs a hat...

2010-10-27T16:35:00.000-07:00

no matter what his size!

Momma loves all things old fashioned,

so how about this vintage style bonnet?

This little blue and white plaid

hat is on it's way to

Utah!

I wonder if it will arrive before baby?

Lined in the softest blue flannel

to keep little ears and head warm

in cold winter weather.

Lace and embroidery are out for little boys

so what to embellish this little cap with?

How about a wee blue cording!

A chin strap is more boyish than frilly ribbon ties!

But, I think this cap is still sweet enough for

any baby boy, don't you?

They're the Cat's Meow!

2010-10-19T13:01:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you take some

cute soft flannel...

...in bright colors and whimsical patterns...

...stitch some button holes...

...add some pockets...

and sew on a contrasting band?

Why, a couple of Cute Cats Jumpers,

of course!

They are the same, but different!

Oh! And we can't forget the Cats!

Made for the two sweetest little granddaughters

(because they love kitties)
in honor of their newest addition ~

Percy!

(Click on his name to go meet this cute little unexpected bundle

of cuteness!)

Sewing a Miss Clarice's Vintage Apron

2010-09-07T13:33:00.000-07:00

Today I finished sewing up a sweet

vintage style apron from a pattern

I got from Linda over at

Prairie Flower Farm.

She tells a wonderful story

on her blog about how this apron

pattern came about. I was so

charmed, I just had to buy a pattern

and sew one up for my store!

Here is my version!

Full apron in size large-xlarge
(14-16)
for us 'more mature' figures!

Pocket with quilted Grandmother's Flower Garden
block.

Apron back

Hand made coordinating bias tape
&
Covered buttons to match!

Sweet Autumn colored cotton print!

Now in my Etsy Store!

Shades of Autumn Handbag

2010-09-03T12:11:00.000-07:00

Lovely new bag in the shoppe!

~*~

While photographing for listing,

everybody thought they needed

to be in the shot! ;~D

Yep! There is even a chicken in this shot ~

look closely on the right!

Can you see her in the shadows?

I love the colors in this bag!
(No chickens in this shot!)

The Baby Layette: Completed!

2010-07-18T22:53:00.000-07:00

The Baby Shower was Saturday. I did not even get the little dress started!

I ran out of time. But baby's mamma was quite pleased with

the little layette as it was.

~*~

Here are the pieces;

(If you wish to see the post about the individual pieces

click on the name.)

The Slip:

~*~

The Sacque:

~*~

The Bib:

~*~
The Bonnet:

~*~

The Layette!

Made using Simplicity Pattern #2900

The Baby Layette Part 4: The Sacque

2010-07-18T22:29:00.001-07:00

The final piece of my baby layette ~ The Sacque! Made from the softest

vintage pink flannel, vintage lace, hand embroidery and ribbon ties with

two sweet little heart buttons for dainty embellishment!

I hope baby likes it!

Baby Layette Part 3: The Bib!

2010-07-16T20:05:00.000-07:00

Not practical, being white and lacy, but just what one needs

to look sweet and cherubic while taking a nap during church!

(Wish the pattern came in my size! ;~P)

The back is made of soft white flannel, sports hand embriodered flowers and vines

and vintage lace!

Baby Layette Part 2: The Slip

2010-07-09T14:05:00.001-07:00

I have finished the little slip that matches the bonnet.

Below ~ sewing the french seams.

~*~

~*~
The lace pinned in place.

~*~
Sewing the lace around the armholes.

~*~
Below ~ lace finished around the neckline and both armholes.

~*~

Below ~ the wee buttons and buttonholes.

~*~

Completed slip.

~*~

Sorry about the bad photos! The battery was dying!

Yet to come ~ The Dress, The Bib and The Sacque!

All from Simplicity pattern #2900

A Baby Layette

2010-06-30T12:10:00.000-07:00

My latest sewing project is a Baby Layette for a shower gift

for a new little one at church.

I haven't sewn for a teeny baby for many years, but I am having fun!

Here is Part 1 ~ The Bonnet

Embroidering the brim (above)

The finished Bonnet (below)

~*~

Next ~ The Slip

WAREHOUSE FABRIC GIVEAWAY!

2010-06-12T18:46:00.000-07:00

You can win a $50 shopping spree at Warehouse Fabrics Inc.

Click image to find out how!

Life's The Berries!

2010-04-28T15:11:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest creation from Cove Cottage Farm!

I had so much fun creating this pillow cover!

What started out as a new way of printing images on fabric

from your own computer and printer,

to this Country Cottage Garden inspired pillow was a bit of a journey!

First I made a couple of prints using this tutorial curtesy of

Sandy Babb @ Quill Cottage.

I was all excited thinking I would use them to embellish an apron!

Then, I got to thinking, that isn't going to work because you cannot

wash the printed fabric pieces. They are not color fast. :~{

So, I thought and thought until my head hurt! I went through

my stash of *stuff* and found a couple of pillow forms

and decided to give it a try!

I love how it turned out ~ the vintage rick-rack and buttons,

from Grandmother's Button Tin ~ the country style ticking and

generous muslin ruffle!
And I was not even discouraged when I showed it to my dear

Gentleman Farmer and he says,

"But won't it be uncomfortable to put your face on those buttons?"

He's such a man!

*Sigh*

"It's just for 'pretty', darling."
~

Still, for me ~

Life's The Berries!

(can be found in my Etsy Store)

More goodies for the girls' Easter basket!

2010-04-02T12:42:00.000-07:00

A *Crayon* Roll for Miss R....

(with pink ~ "it is the most beautiful of colors")

...and *Colored Pencil* Roll for Miss M

(Red is her favorite color, today anyway.)

Google *crayon roll tutorial* for a variety of instructions.

Everything is topsy-turvy!

2010-03-30T19:35:00.000-07:00

At least, for these two/four dollies!

For the wee lasses ~ just for Sundays!

They made me smile!

:~D

I've named her Wilma...

2010-03-04T17:20:00.001-08:00

...after Gentleman Farmer's grandmother who made

the little half apron that was my inspiration.

While pretty, I don't find half aprons to be

very useful. I need a full apron to protect my

top from getting soiled! (I wear my aprons

as bibs while I am eating! ;~P ) I took elements from

several of my favorite vintage aprons

and designed Wilma!

I love the little chevrons at the bottom of the lighter

colored panels.

I mimicked the points with an inset on the bib front
and added just a touch of vintage rick~rack to
echo that zig-zag design.

Nice thick ties in the back for a generous bow!

Vintage style fabrics!

Buttons at waist if you want to have straps...

...or can be tied at the neck.

All seams are completely finished off!

Wilma is going to Lady Farmers Market today!

An E-Pattern is in the planning stage, too!

A Cinderella Story

2010-02-19T08:45:00.000-08:00

I know, I know! You are all thinking, "Doesn't she have any other fabric!?"

This is the third item I have shown on this blog using this fabric,

but I just love it!

I love the old fashioned barkcloth styled floral pattern!

The cotton fabric is a nice heavy weight and it sews up so

nicely.

~*~

I had all the photos ready for this post last night and

was going to finish it up today to put on, telling

you this apron was going to market. When I got online

to finish it up, this morning, in my inbox was the message that

this baby was already sold!

I'm going to show her to you anyway. 'Cuz you know I love the fabric

and I think this is the cutest pattern!

This is the 1950's Walt Disney Cinderella Apron styled by the

J.C. Penney Company. It was a gift for customers (who purchased fabric

or patterns, I suppose.) This was a pattern my grandmother had.

It has been looking beautiful on my shelf above my sewing machine

for a long time. I finally thought, "Why don't I sew an apron from it?"

I traced the pattern onto tissue ~ didn't want to cut into this vintage

pattern worth around $30!

~*~

*The fabric*

*The pattern*

*The prices!*

*The apron*

*The admirers*

*The bow*

*The features*

*The 'hidden' pockets*

*The hardworking simplicity*

*The front*

*The fairy godmother*

THE END!

White Lace Collars

2010-02-03T11:56:00.000-08:00

" 'No lace-no lace, Mrs. Bennet, I beg of you!' Mr. Bennet"

(Jane Austen ~ Pride and Prejudice)

~*~

Well, Mr. Bennet may not want any lace,

but there is plenty to be had here in the Sewing Room!

Last summer, I went to a garage sale being given by a friend.

He was selling the remains of his late wife's sewing items

and some things from a variety store that they used to

operate many years ago.

Along with many other sewing related items,

I picked up several lace collars.

Collars in many shades of white

Aged to a lovely Ecru color

~*~

Sweet handmade collar embroidered with French Knots

~*~

Collar and matching Cuffs

~*~

My favorite!

~*~

Simple lace collar

~*~

Battenburg lace

~*~

A Jabot!

~*~

Two collar sets still in the package

from the store

Pretty details

~*~

Delicate shear collar and matching cuffs

~*~

I believe these are just cuffs~

I think they used these to trim pockets and such

~*~*~*~*~

Now that I have all of these lovelies, I'm not sure what to do with them...

Frame them and hang in my sewing room?

Sell them at my shoppe?

Create something with them?

(I am not very creative ~ got any ideas?)

Mr. Bennet didn't want to hear about lace, but I would

really like to hear what you would do with these!

Do tell!

~*~

Someone thought this was all quite boring....
~*~

Joining Kathleen at Faded Charm Cottage for

(note: because I forgot to link up to Mr. Linky, this is a repost from last Wed.)

The Shoppe was empty....

2010-01-29T16:59:00.000-08:00

so I am correcting that problem!

:~D

~*~

'Give Me Roses'

Kitchen or Garden Apron

~*~

Vintage Look Clothespin

Lingerie Bag

~*~

'Unbroken Heart'

a Crazy Quilt Patchwork Heart

Sachet!

Gone to Market!

With African Flair!

2010-01-25T22:20:00.000-08:00

Youngest Farmers' Daughter spent this last summer

working on a Ph.D. project in Cameroon, Africa!

She brought me back some lovely pieces of fabric and

I just had to share one with you!

This is our favorite ! It has chickens on it!

(I am a farmgirl afterall!)

~*~

I wanted to thank DD by making something with the fabric

so I found a pattern for a little bag that we both liked.

~*~

Here is how it turned out!

~*~

It was an easy, fun and quick little pattern

that I will sew again!

And, if anyone is interested, I may sew one up

for a little giveaway soon!

~*~

You can find the pattern here!

Kritter Kabins

2010-01-04T12:54:00.000-08:00

These 'Kritter Kabins' are one of the gifts I made for my

sweet little granddaughters for Christmas!

They are made from a 1980's McCall's pattern

that I had made for my youngest daughter when

she was small.

Setting in the windows and shutters.

Window boxes with flowers

~

Doors
~

Putting them all together

Miss Morgan's Blue Mouse House

(The Mouse Family is yet to move in!)

Raegan's Pink Rabbit House

(because pink is her favorite color!)

(I need to get busy and finish the Kritters!

Mr. Rabbit is lonely without his family

and the Mouse House can't wait empty for too long!)
~

Finished Kritter Kabins!

~

I have been trying to give handmade gifts

at Christmas each year.

Do you make homemade gifts?

My First Real Sewing Machine!

2009-11-13T08:20:00.000-08:00

Joining Cindy for Show and Tell Friday.

Visit her for more!

Grandmothers treadle.

~

~

~

~

~

I love her still!

Added 12:15 PST

You will find my VERY first sewing machine here.

I currently sew with a Pfaff Hobbymatic 955.

Bountiful Harvest

2009-11-02T12:57:00.000-08:00

Finished!

Just in time for Thanksgiving!

Just went into my shoppe if you are interested. ;~}

Little Punkins

2009-10-15T20:07:00.001-07:00

Everybody is making them, so I just had to try my hand at

some rustic little fabric 'punkins'.

First, I chose some 'punkin' looking fabric.

(Paula~you may recognize a couple of these as

my Peter Rabbit Carrots from this spring!)

Then I cut out six football shaped pieces for each of the

three different sized punkins.

Next, I stitched the six pieces together,

leaving a small opening at the top for turning...

and stuffing.

I also cut some leaves for the tops out of green flannel.

I made the stems from some more of the flannel, rolled and

stitched closed. I wanted the stems to have a little bend, so I

cut some small gauge wire to size, curled the edges so there would be no

pokey's and inserted the wire into the stem center.

I stuck the little stem into the opening of the punkin,

ran a gathering stitch around the opening and

cinched it up to the stem, securing them together

with a couple more stitches.

Then I added the leaf.

Here is a finished punkin!

Here is the little vignette I made using my little punkins!

Have you made any fabric pumpkins?

There are some beautiful ones in the November issue of

Martha Stewart Living.

That Martha is such a copy cat! ;~}

Bread Keepers!

2009-09-21T12:29:00.001-07:00

Perhaps you may remember this post over at my 'Parables' blog?

Well, I finally decided what I wanted to make with these

wonderful flour sacks I got from Sharon!

~*~

I made 'Bread Keepers'

for storing homemade loaves of bread!

(If you are interested, you can find them

in my Etsy Store!)

~*~

~*~
After washing the sacks (I forgot to try to 'set' the color! :~O

But I like the slightly faded, vintage look.)

I removed the original stitching, which took a long time

as the chain stitching did not pull off like the top of feed sacks!

I "french seamed" the sides so no fraying threads

would stick to the bread, and the more finished seams

help prevent bread crumbs from hiding!
~*~

~*~
I 'boxed' the corners...
~*~

~*~
...so the bread keeper would fit around

the bread a little more easily.
~*~

~*~
I used some of the flour sack fabric to make drawstrings.
~*~

~*~
Baked some bread to try them out.
~*~

~*~
Experimented to see how fresh the bread stayed.

Works perfect alone for crusty bread.

I did a little research to find out how bread used to be stored

'in the olden days' before plastic.

I am trying to do without plastic in my home.

I found that IF there was any bread left, the cut edge of a loaf was placed

down onto a cutting board and this prevented the cut surface from

drying out.

(I think I prefer to have my food covered so any critter that may happen to be flying about my kitchen doesn't have use of my homemade bread as a landing strip for feet that have been who knows where! Did you know that flies taste with their feet? Ugh!
Somebody please remind me why God created flies? Oh yeah ~ food for the spiders! Yikes!

Why spiders? I know, I know ~ to eat the flies! :~D)

I used a sheet of waxed paper wrapped around my loaf

and stored in the bread keeper.It did keep the cut loaf soft for several days

until it was used up!

And if there were more than two of us, the bread wouldn't

last that long!

~*~

~*~
I hope you will try making one of these handy storage bags!

If you don't have access to new flour sacks, you might try

vintage ones (well washed), linen or some other

tightly woven cotton fabric for your

Eco conscious 'Bread Keeper'!

Mending Kits

2009-06-12T14:52:00.000-07:00

Some of you may remember my post for Show & Tell

about my sewing room.

Well, can you see that little black thing hiding behind the bench pincushion?

That is an old mending kit I got from Gentleman Farmer's Grandmother

when she passed away.

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I have been making some of these to go into my Etsy store.

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Gentleman Farmer thinks every lady should carry one of these in her purse!

"You never know when the need may arise to repair a torn hem,

or replace a lost button!"

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I have made them with two little pockets; one for a folding pair of scissors,

and one for thread.

There are two leaves made from natural cotton; one with several sizes of buttons

and the other with small brass safety pins, two pre-threaded needles and some

straight pins!

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They hold alot but are small enough to fit nicely into most any bag without taking up

too much space. They are approximately 3"X5" and are tied up with

bias tape ties and love!

And, they are Gentleman Farmer approved!

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Ticking Clothes Pin Bag

2009-04-27T19:43:00.000-07:00

We have had a couple of gloriously sunny days here and I have been hanging my clothes out to dry on the line.

I decided to make a couple of Vintage Style Clothes Pin Bags

and thought you might like to make one, too!

Here is what I did:

Front and Back pieces:

Cut two (2) pieces of fabric 13x16 inches each. (I used ticking stripes.)

Back lining piece:

Cut one (1) piece of fabric 13x16 ( I used a broadcloth print.)

Tabs:

Cut two (2) pieces of fabric 3 1/2x 6 1/2 inches Main fabric.)

Ruffle :

Cut one (1) piece of fabric (same as lining) 30 inches x 3 inches. (Cut across grain ~ from selvage to selvage.) I made pleats. You may wish to just gather a ruffle which won't take as much fabric.

You will also need a little less than 1 yard of Bias Seam Tape for bag opening.

Press all fabric pieces.

(You may wish to baste one (1) piece of main fabric with the lining fabric, wrong sides together. This will become your back piece. I just put them together without basting and consider this one piece.)

Tabs:

Fold under edges on two long sides and one short. ( 3/8 -1/2 inch)

Press.

Top stitch.

Front:

Cut apart one (1) of the main fabric pieces four (4) inches down from the top (short) side.

On the center top of the longer piece(we will call this A), draw a half circle (mine is 5 inches diameter).

Cut out half circle.

Shorter piece of top front will be called "B".

Front opening:

Stitch Bias Tape to top of piece "A".

(I sewed the curved piece first. Then sew straight pieces next, being sure to fold one end under for nice finish at corner where straight meets curve.)

I use a zig-zag stitch, but a straight stitch is fine, too.

Hint: Pressing Bias Tape on the curved piece first helps to hold its shape for easier stitching.

Sew Bias Tape to bottom matching straight edge of "B".

(You may now like to embellish your bag with embroidery, applique, trims, buttons, or leave plain.)

Ruffle:

Fold ruffle piece in half the long way and press.

(Be sure to turn under short ends.)

Gather into a ruffle with two rows of basting stitches.

~

Attach ruffle to right side of front "A" along bottom edge with a basting stitch.

(Pleats shown.)

Be sure to start and end ruffle inside your seam line.

~

~

Place front "A" over back piece (lining is the wrong side), right sides together.

Stitch across bottom.

~

~
Tabs:

(Make button hole, attach snap, or sew velcro dot one short end of each tab.)

On top edge of back (right side), position tabs 2 1/2 inches (center of tab) from edge seam.

Place top front piece "B" over tabs and back piece right sides together.

Bring up piece "A" to match "B" over back piece, butting seam tape together.

Stitch all pieces together, stitching through seam tape making sure you don't catch ruffle in side seam.

Stitch seams again with a zig-zag stitch (or another row of straight stitches if you don't have zig-zag.) just outside first row of stitching for a clean finish.

~

~

Trim corners to remove bulk.

Turn and press.

~

~

Attach buttons, if using.

~

Fill with clothes pins.

Go do some wash and hang your clothes!
~

~

This bag may be buttoned over the clothes line
or
buttoned onto a clothes hanger .
~

I would love to see if you make one.
Please let me know so I can come take a peek.

~
These two are going to market!
~

Have a glorious, sunshiny day!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Added after several comments about not having a clothes line:

Ladies! You do not need a clothes line to make one of these. They can be used for so many things

such as a bag for grocery sacks, baby items, socks or undergarments, a gift for someone special.

Just don't embroider "clothes pins". :~}

Vintage Sewing items

2009-04-03T10:16:00.001-07:00

While doing some "Spring Cleaning" I discovered

I had many vintage sewing items.

'Sew' I decided to put them all together on a shelf above my sewing machine.

From left to right we have;

Glass top canning jars filled with wooden spools and old buttons

Black cloth mending kit

Aunt Maimie's pincusion

Old packet of "Mending Silk" thread

Two wooden needle cases

My childhood sewing machine

Vintage sewing needle packets in back

Sewing machine oil can and tin

Vintage patterns behind

Travel sewing machine

Grandma's thimbles

Accessories tin

Needle threader

Needle books behind

Thanks for looking at my Vintage sewing items.

For more fun, and to see what others have to show,

go to Kelli's House.

Carrots!

2009-03-27T13:53:00.001-07:00

I was amazed that it took me all afternoon to make six carrots,

and God made everything in six days!

Paula shows how to make the carrots over at her blog.

Check out http://LadyFarmerParables.blogspot.com to see how I decorated with them.

Thanks Paula!

Britches!

2009-03-25T19:25:00.001-07:00

While re-organizing my linens drawers today, I came across this cute little item that my Grandma made up and gave to me way back in the '70's. This would make a fun little addition to a bridal shower, kitchen shower or even a birthday gift. Let me know if you make any, I would like to see.

Take two woven waffle weave dish cloths (fold in half lengthwise)

Threaded length of ribbon or yarn.

Make long basting stitches along "leg" bottoms and at the "waistline", gathering slightly and tying in a bow at the edges.

"Lace" up the front and make a bow at the top. ( See photo)

This little 'poem' was written out and pinned to them.

Don't get excited

Don't get misled

These are not for you

But your dishes instead.

Pull out the ribbon

There are no stitches,

You will have two dish cloths

But you've lost your britches!

I think these are sweet!

A New Ironing Board Cover...

2009-03-19T16:08:00.000-07:00

...from a length of brushed cotton duck, 100% natural cotton quilt lining,

and a roll of sturdy cotton string.

I used the (very!) old cover for the pattern.

Sewed the string into the self-binding to gather around the edges.

All ready for many new projects on the way!

(I chose not to use a colored fabric because this ecru color reminded me

of the cover on Grandma's mangle!

And I didn't want to take any chances with colors bleeding when using my hot steam iron on lovely white linens!)

And the Winner is.......

2009-03-10T05:38:00.000-07:00

Heigh~o, the derry~o, the Farmer picks a Winner!

Thank you to everyone who played along with my first Give~Away!

I enjoyed making this apron and meeting new blogging friends who entered the drawing. I hope you all will continue to visit often in The Sewing Room and Lady Farmer Parables.

I have been so eager to see who the Gentleman Farmer would draw. So, lets not delay.

He chose~~

Congratulations! Very Verdant.

If you would email me your mailing info. (see my profile for email).

Your apron is ready to go and be on its way to you!

Thanks again to all who played along!

Give~Away!

2009-02-23T19:27:00.000-08:00

I've been working on a project,

actually not one but two,

I've sewn one apron for me,

and one for someone who,

if their name is drawn

two weeks from this day,

they will be the winner

of my very first give~away!

Laying out the pattern

Sewing the pieces together

Ironing as I go

The finished apron

If you would like to take part in my little give~away, please leave a comment.( You must have a blog.) If you send someone else , and they leave a comment and mention that you sent them,

your name will be entered twice.

Gentleman Farmer will draw the name of the winner on March 10.