Saturday, July 26, 2008

vintage sheets quilt


Another one for the finished list! This started out as a quick and easy project and it turned out to be a very special quilt.

These two prints are just like ones that we had growing up. I am glad to have them in a quilt to help preserve them. I would rather use them than having them sitting in a drawer or shelf for who knows how long.

The backing is also a sheet (not sure that it's vintage, though) which came from my grandma's house. It was still in the package. It had a price tag of $6.99, but she had written on the label "$4.99 on sale. 6 per cent tax." My grandma was so cute and sweet. Anyway, there was no question that I was going to use this sheet on the back.

After quilting it, I was certain I was going to have to go to the quilt shop to find appropriate fabric for the binding. After a bit of digging, though, my stash came through for me again. (Yes, I was disappointed. I was hoping that I had to go, you know? It's been a long time!) This is fabric that Heather gave me for my birthday. She bought it at Purl Patchwork when she went in May. I couldn't decide which would work better-the stripe or the polka dot-so I mixed the two. I hesitated to use such precious fabric, but then decided to cut it up right then and there, otherwise I would hoard it forever. And do you know what? I'm so glad I did.

I washed and dried the whole thing this morning, and I realized that I should have done the stippling a little smaller so it would be more crinkly, but it will do.

The blocks are 10" finished so the quilt measures 60" x 80".

I have a feeling that this won't be the only vintage sheet quilt I make. Those sheets go a LONG way.

74 comments:

MichelleB said...

It's adorable! I love love the two different colored binding.

anne said...

You are soooo clever, I love it. Are the sheets cotton? Look forward to seeing more. Will have to check out the 2nd hand shop for sheets next week. Happy Stitching

Jessica said...

The binding is perfect! I love the quilt. I've had my eye out for vintage sheets/pillowcases for quite a while now. I may just have to go start slicing into my collection!

Kim said...

Amanda, your quilt is fabulous! Having your grandmother's sheet makes it even sweeter. Have you considered including the label in the quilt? Is is written on fabric or paper? I would scan and copy it. Heat set the ink and use it in the signature label for the quilt. Email me for more info if you are interested. :)

I free-motion quilted a baby quilt this weekend with my Juki. I love that machine! She's my girl!

Cheryl said...

I have absolutely loved both the vintage sheet quilts you have made recently. I don't have anything like that at our thrift stores here.
They both look beautiful!

Monds & Mayberry said...

I love this and think I will have to make one like it with some of the sheets I have. Yours is absolutely beautiful!

G'G'ma said...

Oh, no, I just threw away some pillow cases that match the small print square in the 2nd picture! They were old and no longer looked pretty though. I had a couple sets of those sheets for twin beds when my girls were young.


I love to hear you young gals call the "old" sheets "vintage sheets". These are sheets that I used 30-40 years ago. And I'm having a hard time getting my head around the clothes that are in the stores today. I remember when we were so glad to be rid of those fabrics and styles!!!!

You do amazing work, Amanda. How do you get so much sewing done with small children around...in the wee hours I suppose???!!!

Dandelion Quilts said...

Isn't that sweet?

Anonymous said...

Thankyou for the inspiration to use my old sheets! They are so soft and I love them. I read your blog almost everyday and always feel inspired and fresh after. I don't have a blog but want to one day. Thankyou for taking the time to show us all your quiltworks, Amie in Tn. :o)

Anonymous said...

AmandaJean... your quilt is gorgeous! You've done an awesome job and all the fabrics look beautiful together. What a lovely way to remember your grandmother by using her sheet in your quilt too. I have some sheets... which I may have to "steal" from my mother... that were my grandfather's... very girly though... you've inspired me to do something with them!!! Shall have to do a covert mission this afternoon and go "steal" the sheets! Thanks so much for your inspiration and sharing your love of sewing with us all. :)

Anita D. said...

So there it is, on the back! I was looking for that print on the front and noticed its absence.

The binding brings it all together nicely.

lera said...

Loving it! I'm surprised to hear the squares are 10 inches. I thought it was smaller, like a lap quilt size. It looks great and I love the dotty and stripey binding. A perfect touch.

Amanda Jean said...

anne,

the sheets are all a cotton/poly blend. the blue fabric is 100% cotton. the only thing to watch with the polyester content is you need to remember to turn down the iron...I nearly melted some of the fabric.

amandajean

Melody said...

Your talent never fails to amaze me!! What a beautiful and soft looking quilt. I have to agree with one of the posters, the binding was a great addition. Love the two different textures.

Thanks for sharing!!

Kay said...

Oh I love it and the green binding just makes it that much more perfect! I need to find some vintage sheets ;) Also, I can't figure out how to free motion quilt because I can never get the tension just right on my machine. Every time I see a stippled quilt I'm green with envy, add to that your lovely sheets and color combo with the binding and I'm double green with envy!

raining sheep said...

That is a beatiful quilt. I am so impressed. I have never tried quilting but recently discovered a store here in Calgary. I have not gone in yet, but plan to. I want so see what they have for fabrics and maybe they also give lessons.

Leslie said...

it is gorgeous...i can not wait to cut up some of my vintage sheeting and make one for me.

Vicki said...

It looks great, I love how the quilting kind of rumpled it up a bit.

Amy Hodge said...

This is really adorable, and I think you made a great decision on the binding fabric. Oh, and that totally sounds like a grandmother I know. :)

Paula said...

Great finish and such a special quilt. It's going to be so nice to be able to see and use your quilt with grandma's sheet on the back. I love the binding too....it's perfect.

jacquie said...

So nice AmandaJean and the special sheets make it so much better. I love the soft feel of these quilts. You're right...there is sooo much fabric in these sheets. I have a collection in my closet...don't know what I'm waiting for.

Thimbleanna said...

You are a quilt making machine! That's a very cool quilt and good for you that you used a fabric that you were hoarding. I need to remember to do that!

trash said...

Loving that quilt! A good use of stashed fabric too, well done for being brave and cutting it up.

Marit said...

Oh, what a beauty!!! Love this quilt. It says sweet summer....

Tine said...

It looks lovely, the binding really finishes it off beautifully :-) It does pay off to use precious fabric!

Anonymous said...

Wow is this ever beautiful and sweet. I love it!

Pattie D said...

This quilt is gorgeous! I love love love it! Like the others it makes me want to run right out and find vintage sheets...how many have been tossed? I just love your color combinations, you are very talented and have a great eye. The green binding is a surprise, but a very wonderful one! It certainly tops off this quilt. Thank you for sharing your multitude of talents with us.
Tricia

Cindra said...

Oh, I love this! I have been buying vintage table cloths for bedding covers, but where do you find vintage sheets?

QuiltedSimple said...

I love this one (as usual) and am going to have to add 1 to my "to do" list (again). What a beautiful quilt! I'm thinking summer quilt for my daughter for on her bed....for next year of course!
Kris

sulu-design said...

I like this even better in finished form - the green edging is so sweet. And the story about your grandma is too cute - I love that she wrote the sale price and tax on the tag herself!

Mama Urchin said...

It looks so cool and fresh. Love it.

house on hill road said...

it is beautiful! i know what you mean about just cutting - i hoard fabric too!
and yes, sheets go a long, long way!

Rebekah said...

oh, this looks so lovely! the stippling is perfect for this!

Amy said...

such a stunning quilt! the simplicity of it and treasured memories will make it even more cherished i am certain!

Anonymous said...

Very cute quilt. Thanks for sharing the story about your grandma with us. That's too cute. I used a sheet for an apron a while back, and I have used the scraps for about five other projects so far. Last night I just about threw out the rest of the sheet because I am really getting tired of seeing it. I think one more project and I can have it all gone though.

Freda's Hive said...

Amanda - darling, darling, just so incredibly sweet and your story along with it is lovely. Its wonderful to have good memories of loved ones and things we used int he past. I'm sure you are very very happy with the end product. Such a great idea.

Stefanie said...

You're driving me crazy! I want to make one so bad- move in first, then can sew. I'm proud of you for using your stash! Do we someday get a current picture of it? I would think you would give yourself free license to go to the quilt stores every time you finish something and get something as a reward, I mean don't you use down the stash pretty quickly? Not to mention burn up that sewing machine!
You're awesome, I can't wait to see the next one. I like the polka dot stripe combo.
Good work!

Sweet P said...

Whatn an adorable quilt! Great job!

Jane said...

I love the way you mixed the binding like that! So many creative ideas you have!
~jane

coryshay said...

so beautiful!! You definitely have a quilting gift!

Nichole said...

Would you consider hosting a vintage sheet FQ swap similar to the one Elizabeth at oh franssom recently did (see http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2008/07/sheet-swap-wrapup.html
You are one who has enough blog readers to pull it off, and I would be the first in line! Like many, I have a few vintage sheets, but would love to share and get a wider variety for a quilt I have in mind. Like you said, the sheets do go a long way. At any rate, the quilt here is just beautiful. Your fabric choices and quilting are lovely, as usual. Thanks for sharing!

Elizabeth said...

I just love it... I just want to come over and take a nap under it! LOL!! It is very precious. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

What a soft and sweet looking quilt - wonderful!

Cheryl Arkison said...

Was it hard quilting through those sheets? Or does the fact that they are old and not up to today's thread count standards make it easy?

Ulla said...

You have once again done a great job. It is amazing how much the binding can do to a quilt! The green changed the lovely quilt from just sweet to something with more spice in it!

Lisa said...

gorgeous! Love that binding!!!

Linda said...

It's lovely! It's nice that you were able to use something of your grandmother's, too. I know she was special to you and this will be a nice reminder of her. I think the meander stitching is fine. I tend to do mine too close together and then my quilts don't drape as softly as I would like.

Heidijayhawk said...

oh its perfect!

Sarah said...

LOVE this quilt!! It came out fantastic. Did I tell you I got a darning foot to try stippling? Yours always looks so pretty!

Amanda Jean said...

cindra,

I have been picking up vintage sheets from various thrift stores.

aj

Amanda Jean said...

cheryl a-

quilting through the sheets was no problem at all. many of them were extremely soft and well used already, so that may have helped. but even the backing sheet (which I didn't pre-wash) didn't cause any problems, thankfully.

aj

Anonymous said...

That is precious. It turned out so well!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!

Di~ said...

Amandajean: Great quilt! I love what you've done here! Wouldn't our grammas be so proud of us!? Your quilting is just perfect, it doesn't need to be closer, I like it the way you did it.

Katherine said...

It's beautiful! I love that you've got bits from your childhood, from your grandma and from a friend all put into one special quilt.

You idea of combining a stripe and dots for the binding was brilliant! It sets the quilt off just perfectly.

Allison said...

Beautiful! I love the binding fabric too.

Unknown said...

I love it! The binding is perfect :) Now you just need a new reason to go to the fabric store!

Connie said...

It is simply lovely! You've got me inspired to start keeping a weather eye out for vintage sheets when I go to garage sales! Thanks for sharing!

Emily said...

I love the beautiful soft colors in this quilt.

Roxanne said...

It turned out amazing Amanda!! I love how it has so many memories and connections in it. That's what quilts are all about, right? Anyway, it's beautiful.

Robin said...

The quilt is beautiful! The fact that it includes some family history too makes it even more special. And good for you for using that fabulous green fabric for binding. Beautiful!

Anonymous said...

So lovely! I've been backing my quilts in vintage sheets lately, and I can't wait till I have enough leftovers to make one of these!

Philigry said...

oh, amandajean, I hope you are keeping this one! i love that you used the green binding. So special, and it will remind you of when you were a child!

Oiyi said...

Wow, fabulous!!

Duyvken said...

Love, love, love! And your grandma's notation on the sheet price is adorable. Reminds me of my own grandmother!

Sharla said...

I LOVE this. I'm in the middle of making my first quilt for my first born (started 2 years ago!) and have been wanting to finish it so I could make something just like this. Thanks for the inspiration!

Kristi said...

love it. I need to get the guts up to try a sheet swap- or squares from sheets swap- then I wouldn't have to find so many sheets, and have all the pieces, some people could all get one, and share. I love that idea. just need to find people who would want to! thanks for all your inspiration! almost done my hourglass quilt!

Marie' said...

I have seen and liked all your quilts you have ever posted, but this is one of the top favorites! I love it.

Chara Michele said...

Oh Amandajean, this quilt is beautiful! I love that you used vintage sheets for this and that binding is absolutely perfect! I have to agree with Marie's comment above, this just might be one of my very favorite quilts of yours that you have posted!

Bonus Mom said...

I adore your binding choice! It is a sweet quilt. I am hosting the next FQ Vintage sheet swap right now. It is very similar to Elizabeth's (Oh Fransson). She asked me to please wait until hers was over before starting mine. The sign ups are until Aug. 7 or 30 participants. Again what a lovely quilt :)

Denise Felton said...

Beautiful! My readers are going to love this. I've scheduled a link to your post to go live on my blog tomorrow morning (Central USA time). Thank you so much for sharing!

Denise
http://needlework.craftgossip.com

angharad handmade said...

This is so pretty! It has a real heirloom feel.

Anonymous said...

Since I have started shopping online for designer fabrics - all my quilts idea is to have large blocks of the fabric. What a better way to show off the fabric.

Anonymous said...

These quilts are so sweet. What did you put for batting?