All Vintage Fabric Things

Most of the items in this blog post have been saved-up since 2020, when I spent free time (I had lots of time on my hands then 😀) making these projects.

My work began with this box of vintage scraps, saved from my grandparent's Ohio farm that has since been sold.

The farmhouse is in terrible condition because it was neglected. 

During two working get-togethers at the farm, those of us nine grandchildren who could travel (I could not attend), spent time clearing-out, burning-up, and saving sentimental items. This is where lots of fabric scraps were found that were passed along to me (blogged about here). The bulk of it I passed along to a Texas friend, Monica, who is into vintage fabrics. 

Scraps I saved for myself, I attempted to do good things with. Initially, in June 2019, I made four Dresden Plate wallhangings for the girls - my sister, sister-in-law, and two cousins. 

Then, when I received a second, smaller box of fabrics, I tried to think of other things to do with them. 

Whatever I made with the fabrics, it was apparent they needed to be washed first. 

Soaking in a tub with OxiClean proved effective. The water turned brown. 

All the pieces were then well-rinsed and dried on a rack on our lanai. All the scraps were oddly-shaped, and obviously many had been used to make dresses and aprons. I repeated the washing and drying steps five times to wash everything. 

Then, I got to work. First I made six of these 7" X 11" zipper pouches. Both sides of each pouch have an identical design of vintage scrap strips. 

This is the YouTube video for "Scrappy Pouches Sewing Tutorial" by Just Jude Belfast. I love how they turned out.

Trying to think a bit more practically, especially for the guy cousins (several are single) I thought to make kitchen hot pads. I used Insul-brite for the interior. The pads sound crinkly. 

This "9-Patch Wonder Block Potholders Tutorial" is what I followed to make 7" X 7" hot pads. Front on the left; back on the right. They're really easy to sew!

I ended up making 11 of them, thinking that not only cousins but extended family would like one as a keepsake - or, to use!

Along the same lines, I thought to make mug rugs because they're gender-neutral and would be nice for extended family. I used this YouTube "Quilt as You Go Mug Rug Tutorial" to make them. Fifteen of the 16 mug rugs are 7" X 8". 

Similarly, bowl buddies are something everyone would like and use, so I made seven of them. 

Unfortunately, the 2012 link to the free "Buddy Bowl" pattern by SeamsHappy, is no longer available. 

Microwaveable Pellon Wrap-N-Zap is in between the layers. 

And lastly, after learning in a virtual workshop with Sujata Shah last December, how to make kawandi I made these over the course of several months. The round kawandi is 17" in diameter. Others are 14½" square; 16" X 22½", and 16" X 31." 

So, that's 44 items to distribute among eight of us cousins (two of whom are my siblings). 

I've just returned home from spending six days driving to/from and being in Ohio with relatives. I loved being with family again, especially after the isolation of 2020.

The new owner (as of last November) of our grandparent's farm, generously gave us until June 1 to get the farmhouse cleared-out. So, those of us who could meet-up spent Saturday and Sunday (over Memorial Day weekend) going through the farm house for the last time - sharing memories (and crying), and taking pictures. My next blog post is about saying good-bye to a special place, and giving away these vintage scrap-made gifts.

Book Recommendation

This was an exciting read! The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins is a modern-day gothic romantic tragedy that takes place in an Alabama gated community of mega-mansions. When Jane, a coffee-shop barista and dog-walker is nearly run over by a man, Eddie, in a sports car, pulling out of one of the mansions, her life takes a huge turn. 

Jane wants to keep her past in the past, so she focuses on her relationship with Eddie. As it blossoms, she learns about the death of Eddie's wife, Bea, and Bea's best friend Blanche. Jane is intrigued by Bea's rags-to-riches success, and tries to fit in to the life she thinks she's always wanted. When Blanche's body is found, and Bea's isn't Jane begins to question Eddie's actions, and and what she thinks she knows. Nothing is as it seems, and yet a fairy tale ending is possible. 

Linda's score: 4.5/5.0

Linda