Verity Vintage Studio

Gingham Placemats with Cottage Charm

Today I get to show you some fun little crafty projects I made with a new Poppie Cotton fabric called Cottage Charm. I selected a just a few prints from this new fabric line to sew with. 

 

Of course the little cottage prints called for fussy cutting, so I featured them along with some coordinating florals to make a set of 4 gingham placemats. 

 

I think they are perfect for setting a summer or fall table!

 

I cut 3" squares and made a super basic patchwork panel, so it went quickly. 

 

I like how the gingham frames the little cottages. 

 

Of course you can mix up the colors, but I think it's fun to have them in color groups like this. 

 

There wasn't a pale aqua floral, so I chose one of Poppie Cotton's basics to go with this one.

 

For another small project, I took my favorite little cottage and embellished it with freehand embroidery. It adds some cute texture and detail. 

 

I'd never done anything like this before, but I've seen it done - and I think mine wasn't too bad for a first attempt!

 

We can always use placemats in our house, so these will come in useful - and the hoop will decorate my sewing room.

 

If you like whimsical prints in earth tones, you should definitely check out this new fabric.

 

Check out this list of participating makers to see all the lovely variety of projects featuring this fabric!

Friday, July 5	Website: http://blueribbondesigns.com
Monday, July 8	theredfeedsack.blogspot.com
Wednesday, July 10	http://neverlandstitches.blogspot.com/
Friday, July 12	https://charisecreates.blogspot.com/
Monday, July 15	https://www.nannygoatquilts.com/
Wednesday, July 17	https://bemandythings.com/blogs/news
Friday, July 19	http://www.happyquiltingmelissa.com/
Monday, July 22	@elliebugmakes
Wednesday, July 24	https://www.sewmariana.com/
Friday, July 26	https://verityvintagestudio.typepad.com/my-blog/
Monday, July 29	http://www.creamcraftgoods.com/

1940s 4th of July Dress

You've already seen the little girl dresses I made for the 4th of July, so now it's time to show you my 4th of July dress for this year!

 

I have so many blue dresses and such a big stack of blue fabric, that it's quite easy to find something suitable for patriotic apparel. This year I decided to use this gorgeous large floral from the Mona fabric line called Dwell - one of my favorites, and it's now starting to go on clearance so I snagged some. 

 

I broke out a pre-war pattern I haven't made for years. I've made this twice in striped fabric before, so this has quite a different look.

 

I made the collarless version this time, mostly because with the extreme July heat we had forecasted, I had no interest in having extra fabric around my neck.

 

The same thing went for the sleeves. I wanted something cooler than the elbow sleeves that came with the pattern, so I substituted these cap sleeves from another 1940s pattern.

 

I had never made a sleeve quite like this, but I rather like it! I think it gives it a very 1940s look too.

 

The pattern said to bind the edge, but I cut a wide facing instead, using the sleeve piece as a pattern. That way I didn't have to worry about wrinkles or warping of the shaped edge.

 

I chose a contrast tie belt. It's nice to have the look of a belt, without the actual extra bulk at the waist. 

This style does mean that I need to have a good fit, because I can't just cover up deficiencies by slapping on a belt, but there is a bit of adjustability too. 

 

I had to take some width out of the skirt to fit it on the pattern pieces, but it still has a nice flare.

 

The vintage buttons I had picked up for $.50 years ago at a favorite thrift store in PA, when we were on vacation, and I finally found the perfect project for them. 

 

It was a fun project, comfortable for summer, and I love the bold floral. I have this same floral yardage in navy that I have plans for soon! I got both colors because I couldn't decide which I liked best. 

 

The garden is flourishing despite the heat, and the roses this year have been lovely. It's hard to believe July is halfway over already!

 

My First Structured Bag - with Zakka Workshop

I have made a fair amount of sewn or quilted totes and bags so far, but never one with purchased frames or handles. I have often admired the ones I've seen, and wanted someday to try my hand at it. That chance came when Zakka Workshop reached out to me to ask if I wanted to try one of their new products. 

 

I picked the carry me tube frame bag, since I love the shape. It reminds me a lot of the style you might see a granny carrying around her knitting in. 

 

Since this is the first time I've done anything like this, I followed the instructions carefully and took my time. I found it to be quite clear, and broken down into little steps.

 

I used this adorable canvas weight home dec fabric by Lori Holt, and lined it with another Lori Holt print (this one was just regular quilting cotton.) Honestly, though, I could think of soooo many combos from my stash that would have been just perfect!

 

I didn't have any fusible fleece, so I used another layer of a canvas-like fabric in my stash, and I was pretty happy with the structure, even though the interfacing they recommend would no doubt have been better.

 

I didn't see the tip to baste the handle cases in place until I had already had to redo one of them, so I can definitely recommend that tip - it would be a huge help! That was the most fiddly part.

 

The rest was straightforward. It actually went together fairly quickly. Now that I know what I'm doing, it would be even faster next time. 

 

I like how roomy it is. You can fit two fat quarter stacks in there side by side. 

 

I also like how the tube handles hold it open so nicely. It's definitely perfect for a carry-along project bag!

 

It's so fun to see the amazingly different looks you can get with other fabric choices and styles, if you follow along with the other makers that are part of this! I have to say I'm quite happy with my first attempt at this type of bag, and am encouraged to try out other types in the future.

 

Check out Zakka Workshop for your bag making hardware, and if you're a little intimidated by the idea - don't be! It's much less scary than it looks. :-) 

 

2 Small Patriotic Dresses for 4th of July

A few years ago, the cutest nautical/Americana fabric line called Portsmouth came out, by Amy Smart for Riley Blake Designs. It remains one of my favorite patriotic lines ever.

I was lucky enough to snag a bunch of it, and ever since I have wanted to make the girls coordinating red, white, and blue dresses using it. I finally got it done this year!

 

I had already made a summer quilt from it a while ago. It has the loveliest sketched toile seaside prints, giant hydrangeas, gingham and plaid, tiny oars and stars and flags...so much cuteness. I also love the more faded color palette and the dash of pink. 

 

I was somewhat limited by what I had on hand, but I was quite pleased with how they turned out. For my oldest daughter, I made this sundress pattern again, only this time with a contrast yoke and contrast ruffle. Must get as many of the cute prints in as possible!

 

The yoke is double sided, so it's finished on the inside too. I also added the bow this time, squeezing it out from the little bit that was left after cutting the ruffle. 

 

I lengthened the skirt and the ruffle pieces so that it will fit her next year also. She is growing so fast, and so many of her clothes have gotten too short this summer. 

 

It's loose and breezy, perfect for the triple digit stretch of July weather we are scheduled to have next week. 

 

For my 2-year-old, I made the 1930s pattern again that I had used for her Easter dress this year. I had to go with the navy star fabric, since I had enough of that, but of course I had to figure a way to add in some of my favorite toile.

 

I fussy cut out the sleeve pieces and the pockets, to showcase a couple of the sketches, lining them on the inside with white star fabric from the first dress. 

 

The contrast sash and bows were squeezed out of a little bit I had left of the pink flag print. 

 

I also made the round neck version instead of the V neck this time. 

 

It turned out super cute and I was very happy with it.

 

I love how they coordinate even though they don't match. That's one of the benefit of using a curated fabric line where the color tones are made to look well together. 

 

Next week I will show you my 4th of July dress, but until now, here's a little of our Americana festiveness this year!