I hoard buy a lot of fabric. And then I rip the cotton into long strips which I then sew back together. Like this pretty purse...
When I worked at a fabric store, the quilters would often ask for their cotton to be hand torn not ripped. It seemed like a hassle, but it was so much more accurate than the way we would hack it at the fold. It may be that or my destructive nature, but I now prefer to tear my cotton/linen fabrics. Like the rough selvage edges, I prefer the texture once the fabric has been torn and then sewed back together. I am all about the texture!
on Etsy now...
This off-white and dusty cornflower blue toile is not exactly denim, but not lightweight cotton either. I tore long strips and sewed them back together with my favorite loopy vine stitch and rows of new-old-stock vintage lingerie labels “Eureka Hipform”, blush pink and ivory lace, two different widths of ivory ruffled eyelet, and as if that wasn’t enough – I hand sewed 6 ivory blossoms out of new-old-stock millinery petals. I adorned 5 of the flowers with vintage mother of pearl buttons and the last, focal point is an old cluster earring in pearls and crystal that I hand sewed on as well. A simple woven ribbon closure around another mother-of-pearl button. The handle is a lovely machine made lace. It is a fabulous… perfect for the first whispers of Spring… very Cottage, Shabby Chic, Prairie Chic, Gypsy Chic, Cowgirl Chic…It is a nice big size – perfect for slinging over your shoulder and heading for the antique show. It is fully lined with a new sturdy, cornflower upholstery damask.
My next favorite things to collect...sewing notions and trims. Oh MY!
I would love to have more time to create my pretties...we are heading into softball season and with both girls on different teams in different townships - I will be scrambling. But, as always I will have a tin of buttons and beads to work on... so I will still have some time to create...
