sewtakeahike

vintage polyester quilt top

My mom and dad are so sweet when they find things at estate sales or garage sales that they think I may like, they will buy them and post them to me. 

In one of the packages my dad sent, were these 3 inch vintage polyester squares that someone had cut and backed with stabilizer.  They had that "old" smell to them so I put them in a delicate bag and washed them up.  Some of the squares lost the stabilizer and curled up madly, so I had to toss some of them.  But I was able to save most. 

This pillow was the first project I made from them

and now I have this 31X31 little baby quilt.

It's pretty heavy, so to cut down on some weight, I think I'm just going to back it with some flannel, no batting. 

What do you think?  And how would you quilt this little gem?  Or would you tie it?  Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

Penny

p.s.  The Tiffany snail lamp giveaway is still going on, so go here and enter!  There aren't too many who have entered so far, so your chances are pretty good!

thrift shopping in photos

 

isn't this the sweetest little polka dot seahorse ever?

 

 

 

 

look at these vintage cottons, all three prints are curtain panels.

 

 

 

 

love these selvedges:

 

Total spent: $4.24.  Unbelievable!

right now....

it's spring outside, and inside!  I can't get enough of making these serged bags out of these beautiful thrifted sheets and fabrics! 

 

thrifted sheets to gift bag

I've been hanging onto this little peanut elephant to give to the first person I knew to have a girl since I made it and horray!!,  one of my coworkers just had a baby girl a week or so ago.   I didn't have any gift bags on hand and didn't want to run to the store, so I serged this little bag up in no time out of some thrifted sheets I have.

 

so my little peanut the elephant is finally going home!

 

 

Out of the box

I've kind of been in a sewing funk this last week or so.  Normally, I get excited about sewing projects that produce something functional (you've probably all picked up on this with the number of bags I make).  This week however, I have not wanted to make anything that is useful or "makes sense" to me.  This is completely out of character.  The themes to the things I am inclined to make are 1. function and  2. useful.  It's not very often that I have made something just because it's cute.  However, I always try to combine the cuteness factor into something that is functional and useful.  Today, I'm climbing out of that self-imposed box of "if I can't use it, I don't want to waste my time making it" attitude.  I think it all started with an email I sent to Alpa, suggesting some sewing projects for her to try.  The power of suggestion must be real, because I took my own advice! 

"Bella" is made of totally thrifted materials (which you know totally floats my boat) except for the thread.  The pattern is from this book.

So I pose a question for you, what kind of crafter are you?  Do you create for function, or for cuteness or both?

                  ~Penny 

perfectly spoiled!

I really am.  Let me show you why. 

First, this lovely soft comfy cozy wrap a kitten around your neck scarf came in the mail from Sarah, totally unexpected and just because she's so stinkin' sweet.

and THEN, within a matter of days, THIS

came in the mail from Sarah as well to say happy birthday to me!  So sweet. 

Although I have not been posting a lot the last week or so, I really have been busy.  I sent this special order camera bag and cozy off in the mail (along with a few other goodies that I will wait to share)

and also finished up this camera bag and cozy.

And lastly, check out these beautiful sheets I found at the thrift store this week

I can't wait to see what they become!  Oh happy day!

~Penny

pillowcases for Mom-in-law and thrifting bootie

                                           

You remember this fabric from a couple posts ago?  Well, I decided to make pillowcases out of it for my mother-in-law.  (since I choose not to make clothing for anyone but me and my husband.  It's hard enough for me to make something that fits either of us well!)  I sent them to her last week and she loves them.  Her favorite color is yellow, so that's why I chose the yellow ruffles.  (And thank-you Glynis for the yellow gingham fabric scraps!)                

                                             

And look at these thrift store finds from yesterday!  I was so excited to find 3 sheets and one pillowcase (the top one).  Also, the hand embroidered table runner and 2 hankies.  I'm thinking of sewing the hankies together to make a cute spring/summer tote or bag.  What do you think?

                                                             

~Penny

Green wool + brown plaid = (drumroll)... giveaway!!

Could it be a match made in heaven?  I bought this olive green wool skirt at the thrift store a couple months ago for another purpose, so really, this skirt has been REpurposed twice by me!!  So here is the progression: 

• said skirt partially seam ripped (I must have been too excited to get a proper before shot)

• seam ripped and pressed skirt with pattern, waiting to be pinned and cut.  (I made this pattern by eyeballing other purses I like and the pattern pieces are made from some interfacing I bought at a garage sale)

• finished handbag with hand stitching and detail shots

I used a tutorial from the creative little daisy website to insert the zippered pocket in the lining.  It's my first, I am so proud!!

Now, for the exciting news!  Leave a comment on this post between now, Sept 7 and then, Sept 12th, and I will draw names and YOU, yes YOU, could win this handbag!

~Penny

Lookie here, a "refashioned" business card holder

I was recently chastised by a colleague of mine for not carrying business cards for our business.  I put my tail between my legs and immediately went home and put some cards in my purse so I would have them at all times.  This in turn, inspired me to make my very own business card holder.

The leather is from a thrifted leather coat, and the inside and binding is just from my scrap pile leftover from a  Nappy bag I made for a friend who had a baby. 

So now, not only do I have business cards on my person at all times, they have their own little safe place in my purse!

I think I would change a few things if I decide to make another, but I think it turned out pretty good for the first time 'round!

~Penny

Today's score

Lenny and I went out and hit a few garage sales this morning, and I came home with this!

An elderly lady was having a garage sale and the whole garage sale was fabric and lace, all at 1/2 off the price marked.  She said, " I have been sewing for 50 years and I am tired of it", as she sat embroidering some sort of table runner with Christmas colors.  Hum.....  I guess when sewing is that much a part of you, it would be very hard to completely give up even if you wanted to desperately!

Penny