Since I first began using vintage and antique fabrics to make my quilts, my sources have been old tops, blocks and scraps that I carefully pick apart. Most of the tops I purchase have issues related to condition and construction, so I never feel guilty about taking them apart. Until last year, only one top I purchased…
It’s unusual to see geometric or “Egyptian” embroidery designs for baby clothing, but I love the way these patterns look in the article’s cute illustration. Here’s what Winifred Worth had to say about her design. Anything for baby finds a ready response in every needleworker’s heart, and the daintiness of this design should especially appeal to you. The…
I’m relieved that the creative part of this project is over, because I seriously could not think up one more design. There’s a replacement sun in this group — you might remember that I already made one, but my daughter nixed it. I have one more square to make, but it will be the quilt label, and I’ll probably…
No. 169 – Transfer Design for Basket Motifs. Blue. Price 25¢. These little basket motifs are lovely embroidered in delicate colors on finger tip towels, scarves, pincushions and other boudoir accessories. You’ll want to use them on children’s bibs, rompers and dresses, too, as well as on tray cloths. Two of the designs are for…
These monogram letters were published in two Sunday issues of the Oregon Daily Journal in 1917. The designer suggested that the letters would be suitable for for marking sheets, pillow cases, table cloths, buffet and dresser scarves, and that they should be padded heavily before working in satin stitch. There are no instructions — it’s just assumed the…
This isn’t actually a Work in Progress anymore, since the little quilt is finished, and these photos were taken before washing and drying, so the quilt is a bit more crinkly now. I think you can make out the hand quilting if you click to enlarge the photos. I’m excited to send this quilt to its new owner,…
I have a thing for anthropomorphic utensils, dishes and pots and pans. There are more in earlier posts here and here. No. 771 – Transfer Design for Tea Towels. Blue. Price 25 cents. If you like variety and new ways of brightening up the daily tasks, don’t overlook these! Each motif has an amusing title, to be…
Here are four hand quilting patterns cut from vintage magazine pages — part of a large box of quilting ephemera recently purchased at a thrift shop. The published patterns gave only a portion of the design, but I have put the pieces together so you can get a better idea of how they look. The first three patterns are…
This is the doll quilt I am making for Lori’s (Humble Quilts) annual swap — the completed top can be found in an earlier post. When I’m creating a doll-sized quilt, the most important thing for me is scale — in the design, prints, and quilting. Although I know it’s practically impossible to make a doll…
I was so pleased to see this pattern in my catalog, because I was able to identify 15 vintage quilt blocks I had purchased in this pattern. Later I found the original pattern, so for this McCall’s Monday I’m able to provide scans of the actual transfers. The pattern instructions from the envelope back are located…
Click on the Quilts cover image to open a pdf file of this booklet.
Yesterday I made five dresses. Lori at Humble Quilts is making another mission trip — this time to Peru — and asked for more pillowcase dresses. She said only 50 this time (after lugging about a gazillion dresses to Bolivia last year), so I was happy I responded in time to get on the list….
In my catalog the illustrations at the top of the page with two scotties is not as detailed and the single illustration below, so I decided to scan the larger image and use Photoshop to try and duplicate the cape and pipe scottie. I hope they are clear enough to print and trace a pattern (click images to enlarge).
Okay, it’s actually Free Pattern Saturday, since I forgot all about posting yesterday. I need to get with the program! There isn’t much information on this pattern sheet — not even a name. I did find a 1957 newspaper ad for the pattern, which refers to it as a “3-Patch Design.” The pattern sheet actually contains…
Every other project had to be put on hold so I could start my doll quilt for Lori’s annual swap, which is something I look forward to every year. I copied the “Old Italian Block” pattern from an antique quilt sold on ebay last year, and I have since realized this is a pretty popular pattern, with lots…