Vintage sheet napkins make me happy

I have collected a B-U-N-C-H of vintage sheets.  I love them and they make my heart sing!

I love to make pillows, pillowcases, quilts, table runners, jammies, and napkins with them.

I thought about selling napkins on Etsy, but they take me a bit to make and take a lot of fabric and are hard to photograph!  When I first started collecting my sheets, they were hard to come by and I thought the napkins took a lot of sheeting.  Now I have a lot of sheets and I am using the napkins for us!

Napkins are easy to make.  I use my 15” square ruler as a template and cut out 4 to 6 squares of two fabrics.  I like to pair a light/small print fabric and a larger printed one.  I sew right sides together and leave an opening to turn them right side out.  (My first napkins were made using my 20.5” square, but they were larger than I really needed.)

I do rip my sheets to find straight of grain and do my cutting off of those edges.  I hate all of those strings, but the sheets are often way off grain and I feel it is worth my time, and the amount of fabric waste, to end up with a quality finished product.

After turning the napkins right side out I press them carefully and stitch the turning hole invisibly shut.

The finishing touches are the 1/8” and 1/4” top stitching around all of the sides.  It gives them a nice tailored look.

The nice thing about my napkins are how soft they are on your face and how easy they are to launder!  If I have people over, I iron them, but just for us I just shake them out of the dryer and fold. 

I love them!

Robbie Marie

Oh the colors I have!

This post is for an Etsy customer.  I have not gone goofy! grinning

Here are my colors of green and purples I have which are dark enough to the white lettering to show against.  These are pretty close to true colors on my monitor.  Anything tempting???  (I’ll delete this post, it is just easier to see the colors all together this way.)  Robbie Marie 

Off to a new home!

 

Sandy is the new owner of the pillowcases in the back.  They are so soft!  They have a crocheted edge and are two sided – striped on one side and dotted on the other.  I just LOVE ‘em!

The striped pillow cover and dresser scarf/runners are headed for Etsy this week.

It’s been a great (and snowy) week!

Robbie Marie

 

 

 

New Quilt

This is my latest quilt.  I collected the new gray fabrics, from a Marcus Brothers fabric line called “Come Quilt With Me.”

I ordered the pink from that line off of the internet, but when it arrived it was too bright, so I substituted a duller pink that matched the pink in the fabrics.

I backed this quilt with a wonderfully soft and lofty fuzzy flannel sheet – NO seams, either!  It is bound with the same white cotton that is on the front of the quilt.

I bought a special pantograph for this quilt with squiggly lines.  It looks so fun on the soft flannel.

Hubby and my daughter LOVE this quilt.  The new grays are getting so popular.   It is a fun quilt! 

It will be in my Etsy shop this next week.

Robbie Marie

Back on Etsy!

So I haven’t messed much with Etsy in quite awhile.  I’m lazy, Christmas was busy, you know the routine, right?

I have been making a few things and will be adding things again over the next week, or so.  Today I added something out of my usual stitching and added a memory game.  I love the way they look; they are so cute.  I hope they catch on, who knows!

Fun matching game with its own bag with a window!  I hope it doesn’t stick around long!

You can catch my shop here.

Robbie Marie

Binding with Pat Sloan

I ran into a friend this weekend that asked me how I bind my quilts.  I told her the same as everyone, sometimes.  I stitch it down from the front, turn and hand stitch it down on the back with itty bitty stitches.  I told her I usually do an easier way for baby quilts and other pieces that will be washed a bunch and are meant to be “used” a lot. 

I promised her I’d share a video to explain it better and here it is.  If you would like to see the tutorial via pictures, Pat Sloan has a tutorial on her blog here: HERE.

Machine Binding with with Aurifil Thread

My only difference is that I don’t use a blanket stitch as often as I use a regular straight stitch.  I usually sew it down with my 1/4” foot letting the inside left-hand edge of the foot run right off the edge of the binding; this places the stitch right on the edge of the binding.  It is very neat and the backside only shows a straight line on the back of the quilt.  You can match your bobbin thread to the backing and it is even harder to see.

Here is a picture of a runner I just finished out of vintage sheets.  I wanted the binding to be 1” on the front to match the 1” white bands between the flowers and stripe pieces. 

This runner will end up on Etsy shortly.  I just adore the prints!!!!

Ya gotta love the net!

Robbie Marie

Done!

I got pulled out my sheet stash and made a runner after I finished the baby gift today.  I love it!!!!  Maybe I’ll make a couple pillows like the striped one I sold on Etsy. 

I’m unsure about my future with Etsy, but these may end up there along with a couple aprons I’ve made, napkins, and a quilt, or two.  I wonder if I could sell the embroidered postal stamp?  Guess I’ll see!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just love these pillows!  They look so sweet with the quilts!  Gotta make some more!  The ruffled one is so sweet – the striped one is going to delivered to its new owner in Hawaii tomorrow!  Hooray!

This is going to be a great year!

Robbie Marie

How cool is this???

I have always loved playing with my hands whether embroidery, crochet,  quilting.  I’ve tried knots on occasion, but have never found a real use for them besides the good ole square knot.  I did find myself intrigued with some Turks head necklaces on Etsy from a shop called WesleyAsher.  A ball and chain were selling for $16.  I would never be able to replicate them, but I do love their look, especially three together!  I think it is the symmetry that catches my eye.

One night I was on YouTube watching quilting videos and came across some videos on knot tying.  I saw some beaded bracelets that I really thought looked like fun, especially since I have a bunch of beads.  Maybe I’ll try one; I like the bracelets that wrap 3 times around your wrist.

by Beadshop1

Then I found this video and am for sure going to try it!

by TyingItAllTogether

I guess a trip to the Army Surplus Store may be in order, grin.

Robbie Marie

Sold another quilt on Etsy!

It’s hard to see my quilts go, they all feel like part of me somehow.  This particular quilt is going to Hawaii.  The nice lady is also getting my striped pillow.  It is so cute and really looks great with the sheet quilts.

Here is the quilt she is purchased:

My Etsy shop – I have another quilt, but it isn’t up yet.

Robbie Marie

Another Vintage Sheet Quilt

I’ve had this quilt finished for several weeks.  I had intended on getting it up on Etsy ASAP, but haven’t yet.  Here is a sneak peek!

I pulled my favorite sheets for this quilt.  I have one block with green dots that are that ‘30s green, love them!  I used a cute simple sheet for the back that is snugly soft.  I quilted it with a simple pantograph, per several suggestions.  Maybe it is a bit more different feel.  It is bound with the same fabric as I used for the back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This snuggly quilt measures 42” x 48”.

Robbie Marie

I’m on a roll!

Are you like me?

Do you make yourself wait to something you really really want to do until X, Y, and Z are done??

That is where I was yesterday!  After being sick for a week and getting caught up (because I was home and had nothing better to do) I had completed all of my “have-to-do-first” tasks.  Yippee!!!

Off to my quilting room I went!  I had my “present” quilt on the frame and ready to go, kind of my incentive to get everything done and yesterday I started quilting!  It felt so good!  I didn’t finish it as I did have life to contend with, too, but this morning I worked the last portion and pulled it off my frame!

Next, I put another quilt on the frame and changed pantographs.  When everything was in place, away I went!  My fourth vintage sheet quilt is finished! 

Of course, I still have the trimming and bindings to do, but they are my frosting on the cake; I really enjoy binding.  Bindings are forgiving; I can stop and come back whenever I want.  That’s not so easy to do with frame quilting.

Here are a couple of almost done shots.  The vintage sheet quilt will be up on Etsy by the end of the week.  I’m having so much fun!

Robbie Marie

Don’t tell anyone, but…

Don’t tell on me, please, but I probably have 50 vintage sheets and I’m always on the hunt for MORE!  I just can’t seem to get enough of them!

When my grandparents passed on several years ago we found several packages of BRAND NEW unopened sheets in their drawers.  Why hadn’t they used them?  They had probably been gifts and were put away until they were needed.  The sheets they were using were “just fine” I am sure.  There were lots of things around their house like that, but I always loved those sheets, they seemed to remind me of them.  Vintage sheets are pretty, kind, unassuming, joyful, a little old-fashioned – just like my dear Grandma and Grandpa were!

Sometime after I had grandchildren of my own when I saw those vintage sheet patterns, my heart thumped a little.  Vintage sheets seem to represent all those good times I grew up with. 

My mom used to put flannel sheets on our beds in the winter and I can remember my brother running our feet fast through the sheets to make fire!  It was particularly impressive when the lights were off!  You did that, too, right?

So, I had all of these sheets.  Now what, I had to do something with them!!!  I started a quilt and I just loved the way it was coming out!  I was using a simple zigzag pattern   I had a beautiful new white sheet with little dot in the weaving that caught the light which was perfect next to the soft vintage sheets!  The quilt kept growing and growing.  I HAD to stop!  I will not part with that quilt!  I just love it to pieces!  I have a cute sheet on the back; this quilt makes my heart sing!

 

I chose the most feminine pantograph I could find for the quilting.  It had to have lots of feathers, of course!  It was so much fun quilting it and watching the texture declare itself!  Hyacinth Grande, Urban Elementz

I made 3 more darling sheet quilts, but what in the world would I do with them all?  I didn’t have family members clambering for them and everyone was telling me I could make a fortune with them if I would sell them.   I wasn’t interested in “a fortune”, but covering my supplies would be great, I thought.

 

The quilts were so much fun to make that I thought, what if in fact I COULD sell them?

Robbie                                                                        Quilty Bits n Whatnots – My Etsy shop

Hip Hip Hooray!!!! Etsy is UP

I cannot believe I actually DID it!

I’ve talked about setting up an Etsy shop for some time, but it is now a reality!  I don’t even care if I keep it, or if I sell anything!  I can say that I “did it” and right now that is all that matters!  Yay!!

6 items meant:

• 30 FINAL pictures
• 6 detailed descriptions (about the item, categories, titles, descriptions…)
• Setting up my Profile (About me, picture, material list…)
• Setting up my Policies (welcome, shipping, returns, payment, additional info)
• Making a banner

I cannot believe I have it this far!  I N-E-V-E-R would have made it without the encouragement, proofing (I wrote “ass” somewhere instead of “as” darn!), Photoshop help, and computer help of my dear daughter, Aimee! 

 

 

Thank you, Aimee!

What would I EVER EVER do without you???

 

 

 

 

 

 

And also, a great big thanks for all your encouragement, BFF Cathy!!! 

You are the best and always there for me!  Thank you!

Robbie

Why I am not getting much quilting done!

First and foremost, because I am a nana!  Man, do I love my grandbabies!

Another reason is that I am setting up an Etsy shop.  I have been listing some items in draft mode until I am ready to post them.  The learning curve has been a little uphill as far as descriptions and getting enough pictures taken, but it has been fun.

Last week my computer savvy daughter, Aimee, brought her computer over to help me make a header for the shop using her copy of Photoshop.  I hadn’t been able to figure out how to get the correct pixel size using Publisher or Word...  I really appreciated her help!

While my daughter was working, I was trying to shoot some background shots for the banner.  I tried several props thinking I could have my sewing machine show on the end, of the banner, or something, but I couldn’t get enough width in the shot for it to work...  I needed a looooong skinny image.     

                                                                                                  

                                                                 

Aimee was on her computer and I was busy messing with my camera when my little granddaughter, Piper, must have come in and noticed that SHE was not in my pictures!  When I looked up THIS is what I saw!  How cute is she???  She sure knew what she was doing, didn’t she?  Do you get the idea she has a lot of pictures taken of her?

“I’m ready, Nana!”

Thanks to Aimee (and Piper) my shop Quilty Bits 'n Whatnots should be up next week!

Robbie

I LOVE Vintage Sheets

I l-o-v-e everything vintage.  Vintage sheets are a new extension of my vintage craves.  I have spent oodles of time searching out the nicest, prettiest, and of course pristine sheets.  I found that I could make quilts, pillows, pillowcases, lots of things from sheet fabric.  They bring back all kinds of warm memories and thoughts of loved ones!

I’m toying with opening an Etsy shop to share some of my quilts.  I simply have waaaay more than I, and my family need.  I am just a quilter who loves to piece.  I adore matched points and perfect bindings, but there are only so many blankets you can put on a bed!
I’m curious if other folks love the patterns and colors of vintage linens as much as I do!  Here are a couple of my quilts. 

This is my bed with a sheet quilt upon it.  The bottom left-hand corner is turned over so you can see the beautiful backing.  [Click to increase the size, if you like.]  The pillowcases are also made from vintage sheets.  I make them with a deep inside flange on so your pillow doesn’t fall out.  [ I just HATE that!]  I hand crochet the edgings on all my pillow edges. 
The toss pillows are from sheeting, too.  The ruffles were cut on the bias and is soooo very soft and fluffy!


I quilted this quilt with a pantograph called Hyacinth – Grande from Urban Elementz.  It is a lovely design with interlacing feathers.  It is just lovely and one of my very favorite designs.
This quilt is a smaller and is so sweet!  Do you like it, too?