I think it was this post, by Amy Smart, of "Diary of a Quilter" blog, about vintage sheets that really got me going... Seeing those colors and patterns triggered a primal memory flashback from my childhood, spent sleeping every night on those similar patterns and colors. Colors and patterns are indeed powerful mind seducers. Sports teams know this (yellow and green cheeseheads, gold and black fleur-de-lis), and indeed one of the most powerful symbols of a country or people is a flag (more colors and patterns). No wonder these captivated me!
Once I saw an announcement that our local art center was looking for people to sell "upcycled", or "repurposed", hand made, local art at this summer's farmers' market, I sprang into action! I knew right away that I wanted to make a quilt (or something) with these vintage sheets! I'm all about recycling and doing good things for the environment, so it really taps into that part of me as well.
I found the striped sheets at our local Salvation Army thrift store, for just a few bucks a piece, and then searched on Etsy until I found the purple and green flowers to go with them. I just realized that Amy has the same ones. They just arrived in the mail this week, and I have another sheet on the way. Even though quilting is all about using scraps and bits of clothing and such, I've never really used a poly / cotton blend, so I'm eager to try it out. I've also never used stripes in a quilt. I have some ideas, but mainly, I am trying to decide if I should buy some more solid colored sheets to use with what I have, keeping the fabric content similar, or if I can use traditional 100% cotton with it. Have any of you made a quilt out of vintage sheets? Stripes? I'd LOVE to hear about them, or any ideas.
Speaking of which, I really want to thank everyone who has left comments! I really do love them, and try to respond to them, but life sometimes gets in the way, and I just don't have time, but I do read and cherish them all!
And I know some of you are still under feet of snow, but here's a picture I took this morning!! Spring is indeed on its way!
5 comments:
Oh wow! spring... I forget. What is that again?
bleah.
: )
Thanks for the lovely post. You rock.
~M.
No kidding, M. Even in New Orleans, it's hard to believe that spring is on its way.
Every time I read one of your posts, Becky, I have a powerful desire to sew. But, alas, that is not one of my skills - if only Mom had taught me what she knew!
Thanks Monika, and Laura, even though I only met her once, I really really like you mom! And she sews!?! GET HER TO TEACH YOU!! You may not sew, but your writing is amazing!! And gosh, I'm really getting "home sick" for N.O. Spring is absolutely me favorite favorite favorite season there. There isn't any place that tops Spring in N.O.... kind of like fall in Michigan...
Oh, I love springtime in New Orleans! No wonder the French Quarter Fest is my favorite annual event!
P.S. Thanks for the compliment about my writing - I appreciate it. :-) Speaking of... did I tell you that I'm writing an article for NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER? I'm so excited!
P.P.S. Oh, and my mom really liked you, too. :-) But, as for sewing, well, she doesn't really do that anymore (given that Katrina swallowed her sewing machine), so I might have missed my window there. Sadly, I'm so inept that Dan typically hems and mends my pants for me. Given that he cooks, too, I'm beginning to wonder if the gender roles haven't been reversed. Haha!
Wow! Congrats about National Geographic! That's amazing! Please let us all know when it comes out!!!!! And I know what you mean (again) about parental hobbies. My mom lost a ton of sewing stuff in Katrina too, and hasn't sewed as much ever since.
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