Inspiration- Sewing Vintage Style

I was experiencing a bit of sewer’s block and needed some inspiration to get sewing one of the many projects I have cut out- so ventured to my local library. I came accross Sewing Vintage Style by Mary Jo Hiney.

For the most part the projects are pretty old fashioned- a lot of floral and beeded vanity boxes and such. But there are some wonderful insights into vintage sewing techniques. She shows some beautiful lacework as well as gorgeous pintucks and smocking. One of the projects- the Organza Pinktucked Pillow is so elegant.

But by far the most adorable project featured is the Toddlers Smock. It is such a sweet little dress for a darling little girl. It really brings to mind the way little girls dressed before Gap invaded our culture. The dress has beautiful quilting and embroidery techniques that seriously make me almost want a daughter!

Next Pattern:

I am just smitten with this felt gingerbread house bag. This would make such a sweet special Christmas accessory for a kid. It’s a free pattern at Benzie Design, designed by Gracie from Hello Gracie Makes. It’s packed with adorable gingerbread house details, like swirls and stripes and scallops adoring the doors and windows.

And while all those details might seem like this would be a complicated pattern, it’s actually not. The bag itself is made from felt, which makes finishes edges unnecessary. (All of those scalloped edges are just cut from felt, no edge finishing required.) The strap is super simple, made from rope with knotted ends. And all those details are made with some basic hand embroidery stitches. Sparkle felt makes it extra cute.

The striped scallop roof is actually the top flap of the bag. A magnetic snap makes it a secure closure. The rope straps are attached through felt loops at the side of the bag.

They rate this project as an intermediate level, and it should take about 6 hours to make start to finish. That’s doable for a Saturday project or a couple of evenings. Full color photos step you through the entire process.

The project includes a shopping list for all of your supplies. They’ve got a shop so you can order all of them from Benzie if you like and get exactly the supplies used in the project. I noticed it includes a pair of scallop shears, which makes cutting all the scalloped edges for the roof and around the door a breeze.

Finished dimensions of the little felt gingerbread bag are approximately 6 ½” wide x 7 ½” tall. That’s the perfect size to hold a small book, a small toy, or a notepad and some cute pens.

Go to Benzie Design to get the tutorial and free pattern for the felt gingerbread house bag.

Next Pattern:

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