I’m feeling like I need to make a spring resolution. We don’t really do the whole New Year’s resolution thing around here…but now with the weather changing and a feeling of promise in the air I sort of feel the need to do it now. Anyone else getting this urge?! Maybe it’s just me…
Anyhow, I’m thinking I need to get the sewing machine out and try some projects {like maybe one of emily’s dolls or maybe even a quilty thing because bettyninja’s beautiful quilt is so inspiring!}
Most of you are "sew" crafty so a resolution like this is probably not a big deal...but for me it is because I’m not good with the sewing machine. And I’m even worse with patterns & directions. I mean really bad…like throwing things in frustration bad.
But I think it might be time too give it a shot again. But first I need to finish some embroidery projects…
Okay, enough of that – I’m sure you’ll be hearing more {bitching & moaning} about it soon. Today is fabric day & I thought I’d share some vintage quilt pieces {I'm not sure what the proper name is for this pattern} I bought this summer.
These 4 are loose, individual pieces but I also have two large pieces that are a bunch of these put together but unfinished.
They make me think of disdressed’s beautiful tree.
And I think I might try something like what soulemamam did creating a composition combining one of them with embroidery.
And…I thought they might make fun tags for you to use:
Download PDF here
{just print them out on a heavy-weight paper, trim, punch a hole & there you go!}
Edited to add:
I just had a thought...try adding a button to the tag!
9 comments:
okay, so all these little tags and cards you make for us are the cutest! Thanks! I'm excited to use them, you are so inspiring!
That pattern is the grandmother's flower garden pattern. A highly sought after quilt pattern. (And I finally managed to score one of my own a few weeks back!)
I sort of hate to hear people say they think sewing is frustrating. 9 times out of 10 it is frustrating because they are trying to use old sewing machines (or really cheap ones) that just don't work well. That leads to a crapload of frustration for certain.
Also, I happen to think pattern sewing is the pits. Get comfortable with "making do" on your own, then move onto the patterns.
even though I have been sewing for years patterns can still throw me for a loop. Sometimes I read the directions and think, um yah, how will that work?
I have one dress out of vintage fabric that is sitting in a box. I love it, it is half finished. I just got SO frustrated sewing in the lining that I literally threw it in a box and walked away...its been almost a year and I still don't think I'm ready to get it out again.
I agree, a lot of the frustration with sewing is having a sewing machine that is tricky, hard to understand, or not working properly. It makes the learning curve too steep if you have to fight the equipment.
Those are absolutely beautiful Grandmother's Garden patches. And what a great idea to make little tags with the pictures. And The little paper covered animals yesterday was awesome! If I can find any of those, I am going to try that. And you didn't need to sew a stitch!
"Bend The Rules Sewing", by Amy Karol over at Angy Chicken. Honestly, if you want to dive back into sewing, this is a great book as Amy's instructions are great, quite different than "old school" sewing techniques. Many of the projects involve nothing more than sewing a straight seam and she uses the term "patterns" loosely.
I love sewing, but never do anything involving a pattern. Just tote bags (with embroidery) or the occaisional quilt (just squares). Relax, have fun.
I love your blog.
Yupper, Grandmother's Garden is the official name of the pattern. I love what you did with it- making it into tags. The button idea is a great add on too.
Thanks for mentioning my quilt. I am so glad you like it.
Really though, sewing is as easy or as hard as you want it to be. I seriously struggle with more traditional patterns. In fact, I struggle with patterns in general. I can't seem to follow them. I find I use the pattern for a general idea and then figure out my own way to do it.
your blog always makes me smile. the things you make up and let us use are always so great!!! thanks for the tags.
OMG, as I keep scrolling back, I just realized these are the same quilt patterns of my grandmother that I just mentioned.
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