It is no secret that I have this crazy love of vintage everything. I have posted many times about different thrifting trips where I have found little vintage treasures. It is fun to find uses for some of these little pieces. My sisters know of this passion of mine. Last month my youngest sister was cleaning out her in-laws house as they prepared to sell it. She set these measuring cups aside for me, knowing I would want them. They are worn, bent and dented and I love them.
My collection of vintage sheets is quite large at this point. I often cut them into fat quarters and bundle them for sale in my shop. Last summer I made a queen size quilt and two throw pillows for the sewing room/guest room.
Two weeks ago I was cutting fat quarters and bundling them up for the shop when I realized I was amassing quite a stack of sheets. In an effort to use some of the scraps, I thought it would be fun to make a bunting with torn strips of the scraps I have from my sheets. My plan was to hang it somewhere in the booth at the quilt show I worked earlier this month. I am not sure if you noticed it but I had it hanging around the table I used for cutting and transacting sales. Look at the table on the left in the picture below.
After cleaning up everything from the show I hung the bunting from a little shelf above the guest bed in my sewing room. Doesn’t it look cute with the quilt on the bed??
At about the same time, I decided to make a pair of pajama pants with one of the yellow sheets. The sheets are usually very soft as they have been used and laundered. I used a simple pattern, Simplicity 3935, to make them. It takes about as long to pin the pattern and cut the two pieces as it does to stitch them together. They are so, so comfortable. Here is the front – yes, they are a little wrinkled. I am not much for ironing my pj pants. 😉
Now the back side – which looks much like the front! I put a little label on the inside of the back waistband so I would know which was which. Otherwise, you don’t know until you put them on backward and wonder why they don’t fit right. Ha!
Mostly I like to lay on the guest bed and marvel that my pj’s match the quilt. Not really though…
I do love the soft colors and patterns in these sheets. While I only list fat quarter bundles in my shop, I do sell whole sheets if someone wants one to back a quilt or make something like my really cool pajama pants. If you are ever of a mind to do this, email me and I will send you pictures of what I have available.
I want to show you a fun gift I received for Mother’s Day. My daughter somehow downloaded the logo to my business and had coffee mugs made for me. What a great surprise.
Aren’t these cute?? I just love them!
Just one more thing. I have been following a series that my friend Mari is publishing over at Academic Quilter. She is on a tear organizing her sewing room, purging unused books, patterns and tools, and going through her stash and getting rid of fabrics she doesn’t want. She has been publishing these wonderfully inspiring posts with all kinds of suggestions for taking this project on. The posts are well written and divide the projects into manageable segments. I have to be honest and admit that to this point, I have only read the posts and wished I was doing the work. It has been so crazy lately and I haven’t spent the time to implement her ideas and suggestions. However, maybe you will have the time to take some of the ideas and put them to good use! Go check it out, if you haven’t already joined in.
Linking to some of my favorites – check out the list at the top of the page, under Link Ups!
I did notice that bunting and meant to comment on it. It is darling, and it is perfect above the guest bed – it all looks so pretty!
I love those measuring cups. I would give anything to have some of Granny’s and Mom’s old measuring cups and spoons. Ah if I could go back now . . .
What an excellent Mother’s Day gift! Those mugs are great. And didn’t your son design your logo? Wonderful family support. 🙂
I noticed the bunting too and thought it was very cute. I saw the same idea used to soften the ceiling light in a baby’s room. The strips were tied around a hoop (about 18″ diameter?) and suspended from the ceiling around the light fixture. It softened the light so nicely and also gave a soft pop of color to the room.
Oh, that sounds really pretty. So many projects and not so many hours in the day.?
I really like your tins & your sheets! Those pjs look super comfy. 🙂 Do you find the sheet in thrift stores or online? Just curious!
I am an avid thrifter Kristie. I try to just wander through one or two shops each week – I have certain things I scan for – such as sheets, vintage embroidery or table cloths, and vintage sewing patterns. Many times I walk out emptyhanded but sometimes I get lucky!
I can still remember sleeping on my Grandmas sheets as a child. The sheets were what made it feel like her place. I can remember making our beds with Mom to spend the night. Its a treasured memory! Love the PJ’s!
Thank you for sharing this little bit of nostalgia. Memories like those are so sweet. The sorts of thing we hope we are creating with out children for them to look back on in later times. <3
Vintage sheets also make awesome, soft quilt backings. What’s better for a scrap quilt? 🙂 I love those pajama pants! They look so comfy. If you shortened them a bit, you could wear them out anad about as very fashionable capris. Just an idea!
Yes! I have backed two quilts so far with sheets like this and it makes such a soft backing.
Thanks for the compliment on the pants Mari!
Love vintage sheets! I, too, look for them every time I pop into a goodwill or hit up a garage sale. Nothing a run in the washer can’t help. I love the torn sheets made into bunting, and I must ask…where did the “RELAX” bunting come from? Did you make that, as well? I adore that Scandinavian/folksy/vintage look! Thanks for the inspiration ?
Hi Nichole,
The RELAX bunting came from a panel I had purchased a long time ago. I looked around for the scraps because I know I had quite a bit left – It had the alphabet and it was that Scandinavian look. Of course, now that I want to put my hands on it, who knows where it is?? Somewhere in the crazy closet that holds my stash. I am glad you like it tho. If I figure out where the panel is, I will give you more specifics!
Best,
B.