Last month, when I was sewing my fingers to the bone, I was also busy buying vintage textiles for new 2013 designs. I re-invested half of my December Etsy shop income in fabric. Talk about fun, fun, fun!
I was able to find vintage linen toweling, European grain sacks and linen bedding. I found a couple of sellers in France who worked with me to mix and match several pieces of antique, French fabric.
The fabric from France came in pieces. There were 5 pieces and they were all different sizes. I laid it out and designed the pillow covers accordingly. That was a challenge. I ended up adding grain sack to get a better selection of pillow covers. I hesitated for just a second because I like pillow covers that have grain sack on both sides. In the end, I decided that grain sacks and vintage french fabric make the perfect pair!
Here are a few hints for sewing with vintage fabric:
1. Launder first…before you do anything else. I have been tempted to skip this step but I think it’s very important. As a consumer, I wouldn’t want to buy a pillow cover from old fabric that had been sitting in an antique shop or barn for who knows how many years. Most of the time vintage fabric has an odd smell. It’s best to get rid of all those years of dirt and dust.
2. I use a pod of detergent and a pod of Oxiclean on a normal cycle. I rinse twice. For the grain sacks I add Downy. I don’t add Downy for the bedding because I like it to be crisp and a little stiff.
3. Dry it all the way. Use a normal dryer setting and just let it run out. By doing this, the chances that the fabric will shrink after you have sewed with it are greatly reduced.
4. Iron it. This is not my favorite step but again a necessary one. Vintage linens usually come out of the dryer a wrinkled mess. I use the hottest steam setting on my iron. A spray bottle filled with water works wonders to get out wrinkles.
5. Square if off before you cut. Even if you have a bed sheet or pillow case that looks perfectly straight, chances are that it’s not. Make sure and get a square, straight edge on your piece of fabric before you measure and cut.
I also listed some smaller, neutral pillow covers for Valentine’s day…although they can all be used through out the year. Some of the heart sachets are made from a piece of Rachel’s coverlet.
Wishing you all a beautiful weekend. The sky is baby blue here but it’s colder than the dickens. See you soon!
Linking to:
I’m thinking that heart to heart pillow cover is calling my name. Beautiful fabrics, and as always, lovely pieces.
Enjoyed reading about Rachel’s coverlet yesterday and went on a search to discover a few pieces in matelasse I have from my mother; new treasures.
Beautiful Ann! Love those fabrics. You must be so excited.
Your fabrics are gorgeous, you must be so thrilled! Keep up the wonderful work!
XO,
Jane
When you started out, did you think you’d be writing, so happily and confidently ‘ I re-invested half of my December Etsy shop income in fabric’? You’re making such beautiful things, and it sounds like you are having the time of your life.
No wonder your pieces look so beautiful! The attention you put into preparing the fabric is obviously as important as creating and assembling your designs. Beautiful beautiful!
So cute! I have got to get my Esty shop up and rolling again! I got a little bit upset with it, because of all of the fees, but oh well. I love Matelasse too!! Did I spell it right? I have a bedspread that I adore, but we have two big dogs that do too, and it is not great choice for fur balls!
Hugs,
Kris
These are gorgeous things you have made. I love the vintage textiles and you do a wonderful job creating something new out of them. The button heart pillow is so sweet. It just stopped snowing here and it’s going to warm up for tomorrow then the deep freeze again. Have a great weekend.
I’m drooling over those fabrics! They are beautiful.
I love the fabrics that you are using, very nice! I especially like the ones with the red stripes, I would love to have some of that to make blinds with for my kitchen. Your heart pillows are beautiful!
The sky is blue and it’s cold and windy here, wind chills up to -35 Celsius. Brrr, I’m staying inside today.
I hope you’re having a good weekend.
Love and hugs, Cindy
Ann, everything is just perfect:) You are so talented and make beautiful things!
your sewing pieces are always beautiful….!!
Lovely stuff Ann! I am head-over-heels in love with European grain sacks! Problem is I want a stack of my own and have a hard time cutting them up – LOL! Your stuff is just so wonderful!
Have you ever tried a pressurized steam iron? Makes the ironing step a totally different story – I will most likely never go back to a regular iron.
Your pillows and other creations are so beautiful, Ann. You give so much attention to detail!
Mary Alice
I love ironing, but no sewing. Too bad we aren’t neighbors … I could tackle the ironing.
Fondly,
Glenda
Beautiful Ann!! You sure you don’t want to move to NY, I would keep you plenty busy ;)
Your pillows are always so beautiful Ann!!!
Ann, all of your new items are just gorgeous! I would order one of each if I could! Those hearts made from the matelasse are incredible. Hope you are having a great weekend!
Ann, I LOVE your things… love anything with the grain sack fabric. So gorgeous. Enjoyed this post – it was really helpful. ~ Dori ~
Ann, these pillows are just stunning! Wow! I’m blown away by your craftsmanship. Love every detail, and the vintage linens are simply beautiful! Great job, friend!
Ann,
Love the fabrics and as I have told you before you are a talent.
Cynthia
.Love the fabric, and your pillows are so pretty. Your attention to detail is evident! Beautiful!
Great tips. They are all so pretty!
Happy Monday!
Cindy
What a fun post to read! Ann, I took a look at your shop and it’s amazing. You just get better and better! I love your new aprons and those hearts are just adorable. Love, love, love.
Thanks for sharing these great tips! It makes sense but could be easily overlooked. Your linens are perfect! You are one talented lady ;) Glad I found your blog.
Jamie ~ Better With Age
Hi Ann,
Since opening by shop a few months ago, I don’t get a chance to visit as many blogs as I have in the past. Glad I stopped by! I like your new “look” and am so glad you had someone take a great photo of you! This is an excellent piece on fabric preparation. Extra steps, but so important!
Your work is beautiful, as always!
Barbara