Verity Vintage Studio

12 Days of Valentines - Easy Heart Napkins

Poppie Cotton is hosting a fun 12 Days of Valentines freebies event, and I'm happy to be included. I want to show you how to make simple quick & easy heart napkins, a sweet way to dress up your table for Valentine's or any other event!

 

Disposable napkins are great for convenience, but for a dressy table (or even just to save money and waste) washable cloth napkins are such an upgrade! And they are so easy to make, even for beginners! 

 

Let's pull out our supplies. You will need:

-1 18" square piece of fabric per napkin (I'm using Berries & Blooms background here by Poppie Cotton)

-misc. pink and red fabric for hearts (can use charm squares, or just scraps!)

-heart cookie cutter, stencil, or cut your own heart template

-pencil or pen

-sewing machine, scissors, iron, pins

 

I chose to cut out my own heart template since I didn't have a cookie cutter the size I wanted.

 

Narrowly hem all 4 sides of the napkin square with matching thread.

 

Now you can play around and decide how many hearts, and where to place them! Stack two sizes?

 

Just do 1 in 1 corner? or 2 in alternate corners?

 

1 in each corner? or maybe alternate sizes all the way around?

Each of these would give a different look!

 

Once you decide on how many hearts and where to put them, time to pull out all your pink and red scraps!

 

Trace your hearts on the backs of the fabric you choose.

 

Cut out the hearts. Don't worry if the edge isn't perfectly smooth.

 

Pin them in place on the hemmed napkin.

 

Stitch around the raw edge with a dense zig-zag stitch, starting at the point and working slowly around the curves.

Test out your stitch first on a scrap to make sure it's wide and dense enough to securely cover a raw edge.

 

All done!

 

Repeat with any other hearts for as many napkins as desired! I chose to use coordinating fabric for hearts on 2 opposite corners. 

 

The fun thing about using different fabrics for each heart means that depending on how I fold the napkin, I can have 2 different looks. This pink gingham and the strawberries are on the same napkin.

 

Of course, this is easily customizable. Most dinner napkins are 18-20" square, and 18" is a great size because you can get it out of a fat quarter, or 4 per yard of fabric. But you could make them larger or smaller depending on your needs or preference. 12" square is a good size for luncheon or tea tables.

 

You can also use any other simple shape and applique the same way. No special tools or scary fusible required!

 

One fun alternate way to make these is to use a statement print as the napkin fabric instead...

 

...and applique hearts cut from vintage embroidered textiles!

 

I think this would be especially fun for tea party or birthday party napkins.

 

I hope that inspired you to do some holiday crafting! Something practical yet pretty that you can make in 15 minutes...what's not to love? :-)

Pastel Pumpkin Runner for Moonbeam Dreams Blog Tour

It's my turn on the blog tour for the new Poppie Cotton fabric line called Moonbeam Dreams. It is not what I would normally be drawn to, so I was surprised at how much I ended up loving this fabric once I saw it in person, and how much I enjoyed sewing with it!

 

I was in the mood for fall sewing, and this is a lovely autumnal line with some of my favorite cooler-toned fall colors. It took me a while to settle on a project, but eventually I decided on a pumpkin table runner to be finished before Thanksgiving. 

 

Our Thanksgiving Day dinners usually end up with so much food on the table there isn't much room for decorations, but I still love a festive touch, so a table runner is perfect. 

 

The next problem was settling on a pumpkin block that I liked, since I'm not generally a fan of them. I ended up loving this free tutorial by Woodberry Way, and quickly made 6 of those big pumpkin blocks out of my 6 favorite pinks, adapting them to join side to side as a runner.

 

My temporary sewing station in action!

 

It ended up as a very long table runner, so it will only really fit my table when it's fully extended. But that's ok! This was the closest I could get to a photo of the whole thing.

 

The pumpkins were made with a little bit of improv piecing - my first ever attempt. It was rather enjoyable!

 

I quilted it with my walking foot, with an all-over wavy grid that I could do freeform without taking the time for markings. It's a very forgiving quilting design that still gives great texture. 

 

Then the extra hand quilting touch was done in a burnt gold size 10 crochet thread. I used a bowl to draw one curve on each side, and then drew the other by eye. Of course they aren't all uniform - but then, neither are real pumpkins uniform! And I am also NOT a perfectionist. :-) 

 

The colors go together so well! I love the dusty blues and pinks and golds, the florals and moths and stars.

 

Since I only used a selection of fabrics in this runner, I also whipped together a large zipper pouch, just for fun. I still have some fabric left, so maybe I can come up with something else fun to make. The green moth print is a favorite, and would be perfect for fussy cutting!

 

I'm looking forward to using this on our Thanksgiving table next week. In the meantime, follow Poppie Cotton on Instagram to see all the pretty makes using this lovely fabric line!

 

Country Kitchen Accessories - Prairie Sisters Homestead Blog Tour for Poppie Cotton

Fabric speaks to me. 

When I received my sample bundle of Prairie Sisters Homestead fabric by Poppie Cotton, I put it on my shelf with a plan to make a couple of woven pot holders out of it at least. More recently I had an idea for an apron made from 2.5" strip precuts. But when I went to cut out my projects last week, I ended up suddenly needing to also make a patchwork apron and some patchy potholders too!

 

So I went to town with all the cute kitchen items, as you can see. 

We are in the process of moving house this month, and one of the things I wanted to do is upgrade all my disliked or yucky potholders. I bake a lot, and am a big proponent of things being both pretty AND practical - so why give drawer space to pot holders I don't like when I can replace them with cute ones? They may eventually also get yucky and need to be tossed, but they are so easy and fun to make, and will be fun to use in the meantime.

 

I made two basic 16 patch potholders with 2" squares, following color schemes instead of going all scrappy like I originally thought. The yellow I arranged a little; the blue I just did random. 

And does it ever match to perfection the vintage tablecloth I just got my mom for her birthday!

 

The 3rd potholder in the mint color way I decided on impulse to do a fussy cut square in the center - some of these prints are PERFECT for fussy cutting! - and do the smaller mint patches around the edge.

 

I layered them all with a double layer of cotton quilt batting so they would be extra thick, and quilted them all differently. I love each of them, and enjoy seeing them side by side so you can see what a difference a little arrangement and quilting can do to a basic design. 

 

Also you have to love the coordinating chicken backings, and gingham bindings!

 

I did in fact do a woven hot pad too, though! I had seen a tutorial ages ago from Art Gallery Fabrics and have been wanting to try it ever since. Finally did it, and it's super cute! Also very little actual sewing.

 

I want to make another now and play around more with the color placement. But this one I'm very pleased with. Reminds me of apple pie. 

 

The pink apron was my "jelly roll apron" idea, made with 2.5" strips where the end was sewn like a Dresden plate to make points, and all of them joined side by side. I originally got the idea from a photo of a 1940s pattern for an apron with lots of flared gores and pointed ends, so this was my non-pattern version. 

 

I tapered the tops to make it a little more fitted and shaped, and chose the strawberry fabric for a waistband and ties. 

 

For my yellow apron, I did something quite different. I cut 4 yellow FQ in half and sewed a half of each into a large patchwork rectangle, which I then gathered into a waistband. (Yellow just seemed to be the right color for August sewing - but now I kind of wish I'd made a blue one too.)

 

Add a fussy cut pocket and ties, and a little bit of lace trim - and it's just the cutest! My mom and sister just about swiped this one from me. :-) 

 

Incidentally, it matches my mom's gorgeous yellow 1950s stove like a dream. 

 

I really enjoy working with fat quarter cuts. While they are intended for quilts, and certainly handy for that, it's also fun to work within the constraints of an 18 x 22" piece of fabric to see what all I can come up with, without extra yardage. And all of these pretty new kitchen things make me so happy as I prepare for upgrading to a new kitchen soon!

 

Check out the other bloggers on this tour to see all their makes with this sweet new fabric line:

Monday, August 7	theredfeedsack.blogspot.com
Wednesday, August 9	Vanessa Ward
Friday, August 11	Website: http://blueribbondesigns.com
Monday, August 14	www.cardinalcreekquilting.com
Wednesday, August 16	https://amerooniedesigns.com/
Friday August 18	http://prettybyhand.com/
Monday, August 21	https://verityvintagestudio.typepad.com/my-blog/
Wednesday, August 23	@elliebugmakes
Friday, August 25	http://neverlandstitches.blogspot.com/

 

Tinsel Tree Christmas Ornament: Free Cross Stitch Pattern

Happy 10th Day of Christmas! We are still enjoying the last of the Christmas season over here this week.

As usual, I got the cross stitching bug during the holidays. One of the things I made, inspired by my own little silver tinsel tree that I keep full of vintage ornaments, was this little retro hoop picture. 

 

I decided to share the pattern with everyone for free. After all, it is Christmas! (Scroll to the bottom of this post for the download link.)

The silver metallic thread is exactly the same color as my tinsel tree.

 

The pattern didn't have the same brand I used, since it's a new kind, so what is listed will work, but is not what I used for the sample. I used Cosmo Nishikiito Metallic Embroidery Floss in 33 silver, and found it quite soft and easy to stitch with (especially for metallic thread, which is notoriously difficult). If you use this kind, do not separate the threads but use the entire strand. I highly recommend!

 

The pattern also requires 18-20 small buttons. When stitching is complete, sew the buttons randomly with your silver floss, following cover photo for placement.

 

Don't like French knots? Skip them and use white or pearl seed beads instead. It's a simple pattern; if you omit the knots it's easily beginner friendly.

 

I used Touch of Pink Aida cloth for the sample. In 14 count fabric it finishes a bit too large for an ornament, but works very well on a shelf or a wall. If you want it sized down a little for an actual hanging ornament, choose 16 count Aida instead.

 

To finish it, I pressed lightweight fusible interfacing on the back to keep all the thread ends tidy, and then centered the design in the hoop. Trim the fabric to about 3/4" all the way around, and wrap the raw edge around the back of the hoop, gluing it down with a hot glue gun to the inside hoop. All done!

It's a super quick make, and also a fun way to use up some random tiny buttons! I love how retro it looks - just like my real tree.

Find the pattern at the link below. Merry Christmas, and happy stitching!

Download Tinsel Tree Ornament Chart

Quick & Simple Pillowcase Tutorial

Riley Blake Designs came out with the cutest woodsy kids fabric line this summer called Camp Woodland. I had to snag a few prints to use for my little boy's room. I debated what to do with it, but ended up deciding to make pillowcases!

 

My small son is very enamored of the bears, and loves to pick out the animal kinds on the blue toile print (my personal favorite). And pillowcases like this are so easy to make, you can sew them with very little sewing experience. Everything is worked flat, so it is super simple!

 

There is minimal cutting too, since the fabric width is the right width for a pillowcase.

You will need 3/4 yard main fabric, 1/4 yard contrast for the band, and if you choose an extra top stitched band, a few inches of fabric for that as well.

 

1. Cut the main fabric piece to 27 inches long x fabric width, and trim off the selvedge.

2. Cut the band fabric 9 inches long x the fabric width. (If you get a half yard of this print, you have enough to cut it in half and do 2 pillowcases.)

3. Cut the contrast narrow band 2 inches long x the fabric width. Here are all 3 pieces ready to sew.

 

You can also line them up ahead of time to get a feel for what the finished product will look like.

 

Lay out your main piece of fabric, and place the wide band fabric at one end, right sides together. If you are using a direction print, make sure the direction will go the way you want it to when this seam is sewn. (My son is talking to the bears on this picture.)

 

4. Sew the wide band to the main piece (1/2 or 5/8" seam is fine), then press it with the seam toward the band.

 

You could totally leave it with just a simple contrast band like this, but adding a narrow extra band is a fun trim and a good way to tie in a different color or print.

 

5. Take your narrow band. Fold the sides toward the center and press them.

 

6. Center over the band seam, and top stitch close to each edge.

 

Here is your finished piece.

 

7. Now fold it in half lengthwise, and sew the L shaped seam at the top and side, leaving the band edge open.

 

I serged this seam to finish it. You can leave it unfinished or finish it with your favorite method instead.

 

I also serged the band edge, but you could also use seam binding to finish it or just fold it over a half inch and press.

 

Last step - fold the band in half and pin the finished edge to the inside just under your seam.

 

8. Prop up your feet and do a quick hand stitch to keep the band in place. This will create a lovely finish on the inside.

 

Give it a good press and you're done! 

I didn't time myself, but I think you could make this start to finish in a half hour.

 

It's the perfect way to incorporate some fun fabrics into a child's or adult room. Think how fun it would be to have coordinating pillowcases to a quilt you made!

 

So there's a quick sewing fix to use some cute prints and freshen up a bedroom. Let me know if you try making one!

Christmas in June: Reversible Placemats with Poppie Cotton

When I got the chance to play with a little of Poppie Cotton's upcoming Christmas line, Snuggle Up Buttercup, of course I jumped at the chance. I mean - little retro pink pickups! How can you not??

 

I have been so busy this month and juggling so many deadlines, that I had to figure out something relatively quick and easy to make for my blog feature when it came my turn for the Snuggle Up Buttercup tour. A reversible placemat set was the answer!

 

I use a lot of placemats for everyday use, on their own or on top of a table cloth where the children sit. It is so much easier to toss a placemat in the wash than change a tablecloth due to one spill. And I have a lot of lovely floral ones, but as I discovered last Christmas, nothing suitable for the holidays. I was happy to change that.

 

I picked out 4 my favorite prints from the fabric line and used them for the solid side, then divided the measurement in 3rds, added a half inch for seam allowance, and cut out 3 strips to piece together for the remaining side. I used exactly 8 fat quarters, since the leftovers after cutting the strips were just enough for binding.

 

To finish it, I used some smaller pieces of leftover batting and did some big stitch quilting using size 10 crochet cotton in several coordinating colors. Big stitch quilting both quilts and adds a decorative element - plus it looks great on both sides so it works well for a reversible project like this.

 

Instantly I have all these different looks for my table. I made 4 placemats, but I actually have 8 options here. I can use all the pieced side...

 

...all the solid side, or alternate them! Each one gives a different look to a table setting, yet they all coordinate.

 

The exact same placemat on one side...

 

...and on the other. 

 

I like how simple these are and quick to make - truly beginner friendly. And the large strips mean that the fabric really shines, rather than being cut up into small blocks. So it's ideal for showcasing your favorite prints!

 

Of course, the binding still has a "right side" and a "wrong side", but I make sure to hand stitch the binding invisibly using tiny stitches, so it's as unobtrusive as possible. 

 

So that's it for my fun holiday project right as summer is ramping up its heat! Make sure to check out the other lovely creations during the project tour for this adorable fabric line.

 

Friday, June 18	http://neverlandstitches.blogspot.com/
Monday, June 21	http://www.linenbouquet.com
Wednesday, June 23	https://verityvintagestudio.typepad.com/my-blog/
Friday, June 25	https://thisandthatpatterns.typepad.com/
Monday, June 28	http://prettybyhand.com/
Wednesday, June 30	http://happylittlecottage.blogspot.com/
Friday, July 2	https://www.nannygoatquilts.com/

 

 

Free Pattern: Quilty Retro Ornament Potholder

It's been a long time since I've done a free pattern during the holidays! This year I have been so busy that my Christmas celebrating was started late, but I was eager to do at least one Christmas craft once I had the chance - so I stitched up this design idea just in time for the holidays.

 

I love vintage ornaments, fabric, and English Paper Piecing appliqué - so I combined all of those with this fun fast potholder that is so easy to adapt and customize. 

 

I'll walk you through the steps for how I made mine. 

I started with a rough 10" square of fabric for the top, fabric for the backing, and 2 slightly larger pieces of cotton quilt batting (I didn't think one was thick enough). It's a great way to use up quilt batting leftovers, by the way. 

 

Layer the pieces of fabric on each side of the quilt batting to make a sandwich.

 

Now it needs quilted. I think it would look fun in diamonds, or you could go super basic and do straight lines. But I decided to do snowflakes on a string, since it's a holiday design.

You could do this with a free motion foot, but if that's not your thing, you can do it with a walking foot too. You can totally measure it and mark where you want each line and each snowflake. I decided to just eyeball it, since I was fine with some differences and irregularities. Not being a perfectionist. 

 

Starting off the edge, stitch a straight line an inch or so into the fabric, then stop. 

 

Turn the fabric a few degrees and reverse your walking foot. Stitch a few stitches (you can count them if you want perfectly uniform snowflakes, or just go with different sizes - kind of like real snowflakes).

Stitch forward over those few stitches and several more on the other side, to make the first arm of an X. 

 

Stitch back into the center so your needle is back on the original line; turn again to make the second arm of the X and repeat the forward and back stitches. 

 

Now turn your fabric and stitch at right angles to the original line, ending in the center.

 

Rotate the fabric back to the original position and stitch the string again. You can make these snowflakes as far apart or as close as you wish.

 

When you start the next line, stagger the snowflakes so the ones on this line alternate between the ones of the previous line. I made my lines about 1 inch apart.

Repeat until the fabric is all quilted. 

 

Then trim it down to size. I trimmed mine to 7 1/2 inches.

 

Now figure out what EPP shapes you want to use for your ornaments, and how to place them. I originally planned to use all round ones, but I realized some of my other papers would also work for ornaments, so I ended up using 2 1" circles, 1 2" orange peel, and 1 1" square. And picked some of my favorite fabrics from my favorite new Christmas line by Riley Blake, Santa Claus Lane.

 

You can use the traditional card method, if you're familiar with English Paper Piecing. I like to use fusible leave-in papers from Hugs 'n' Kisses (also very beginner friendly), so that's what I'm using here.

To use these, you fuse them to the wrong side of the fabric. I did some careful placement to make sure I had a tree and the Santa centered. 

 

Cut out the shapes, leaving about a 1/4" edge. 

 

Then turn the edge under and glue them. I used just a regular craft washable glue stick. 

 

To do the circles, you want to do a small portion of the edge at a time, and press the edges straight in to avoid puckering.

 

Once all the shapes are glued, they are ready to appliqué. Arrange them how you want the finished product to be, and secure with a few drops of fabric glue.

 

You can appliqué by hand or machine. I did mine with the blind hem foot on my machine. You want to make your stitches small, and use thread that matches your background fabric - not the appliqué. 

 

You also want to make sure to catch all the corners and tips with a left swing of the needle. 

 

After all the shapes are appliquéd, embroider the strings. I wanted to use gold metallic embroidery floss and didn't have any, so I ended up using some vintage rayon embroidery floss that had some sheen to it. 

 

I only embroidered through the top layer so the back looks tidier. I also added a few lazy daisy stitches at the top of each ornament - this could easily be omitted if preferred. 

 

Now you can finish the edge with your preferred method. I chose to use regular double fold binding out of my sewing stash. If you choose to do this, unfold it completely and align the raw edges, then stitch in the crease line. 

 

Instead of hand stitching the binding down invisibly, I used green embroidery floss to do big stitch quilting to secure the binding and help tie in the colors. 

 

You could call it done now - I wanted to use mine for display rather than a pot holder, so I added a bow and loop at the top for a decorative hanger. 

 

All finished! A quick Christmas craft that would be a perfect addition to your kitchen, or a gift. It's fun to make, too.

 

I love the pops of pink and aqua that gives the fabric a more retro feel. 

 

The striped orange peel ornament is hands down my favorite!

 

(Incidentally let us take a moment to appreciate some of my favorite vintage glass ornaments which inspired this craft!)

 

The appliqué ornaments would also be fun to decorate before stitching in place - maybe put a strand of tiny rickrack across one of the round ones, or embroider something. 

I hope if you try making one you enjoy it, and share the finished project. It's so fun to see all the creative different varieties people come up with!

 

Now I'm off to hang it in my retro kitchen and cross another Christmas cookie off my baking list!

Snapshots from Settling In

It's amazing how much time it takes to transfer - not just things - but identity. Moving and making a new life is very time consuming! And I've also been a month with little to no internet, which is one reason why there hasn't been much activity on the blog.

But things are finally beginning to come together. Meanwhile I'm enjoying having my own home to decorate. As you can imagine, it definitely has a vintage theme.

Here are a few snapshots from around the house, proving that unpacking really does eventually reach the more enjoyable decorating stage. :-)

 

A vintage accordion style mug rack can hold more than just mugs! So far this one has collected some fun vintage paper ephemera, and is a nice umbrella holder by the back door - alongside some pictures of me when I was little. Now I have to get some prints yet of Dustin when he was a boy.

 

Of course, my kitchen and baking cupboard is well stocked with vintage or vintage style dishes! I can't resist cheery mixing bowls, colanders, and such things. :-)

 

I found a nice spot on the wall beside the dresser, which I use as a vanity, for the earring holders I made last year.

 

The dresser is also handy to display vintage books and hat pin holder, and our cute cake topper!

 

My baking corner. I spend a lot of time here - and my french blue KitchenAid makes me happy!

 

I'm looking forward to decorating for Christmas soon. Those mug holders will be fine ornament displays, I'm thinking. And I can't wait to finish setting up my sewing room! I need to be near to my fabric again - and am so anxious to get back to sewing after a several month break.

I hope you enjoyed these few snapshots into my new life! And I hope everyone had a very happy Thanksgiving!

(Part Two about the wedding dress coming next week.)

Happy Thanksgiving!

 And Be Ye Thankful

 

Thanksgiving is more than a day.

It's a way of life.

After all, we have nothing that we have not received.

 

It's not taking the basic blessings for granted...

family, friends, food, shelter...

But also finding enjoyment in the mundane.

 

In that sense, it's looking at life Anne-ishly.

Nora: "Well, let's tackle this pile of greasy plates and look as if we liked it."

Anne: "I do like it...It's fun to make dirty things clean and shining again."

Nora: "Oh, you ought to be in a museum!"

-from Anne of Windy Poplars

 

It's an abiding appreciation of the multitude of good things and quiet beauty surrounding us.

And when you get a chance to celebrate,

you do it with zest.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sewing Machines at Windows

This is the view right now from my sewing machine.

 

Sometimes I wonder how I'm going to get any sewing done!