Fun Vintage Sewing Projects

2 Comments November 14, 2016 aimeevictorianarmoire

Sometimes it can be a fun change to sew something vintage that isn’t an apron, a skirt, or a dress. Often when I think vintage, my mind immediately goes to garments. I begin browsing my patterns, books, and Pinterest for the perfect item. But sometimes its fun to think outside of the box…or at least outside of the closet. So I challenged myself to find three easy yet very vintage-y projects that would satisfy my retro need while still offering a nice change.

Here is what I found!

All links are listed below the image.

These hangers are a perfect way to still focus on vintage garments, while letting you go absolutely wild with color! I love how these hangers are finished with little puff balls and tassels! These would be wonderful to give as Christmas gifts!!

Vintage Wrapped Hangers by Sugar Beans.org

These burp clothes are sooooo sweet!! Make them for a friend, a family member, or for your own little one! Just be sure you don’t mind them getting covered in formula!

Vintage Burp Cloths from Polka Dot Chair

My last vintage sewing project is this adorable tomato pincushion! What I love is the switch from solid red fabric to a happy red gingham! Make a whole crop of these tomatoes in various tones and patterns!

Tomato Pincushion by Bee in my Bonnet

Sewing vintage can relate to a wide variety of projects. And with Christmas coming soon, why not create a few of these projects to give away to loved ones. Not only may you save a few dollars, but the thought and time that goes into them will most certainly be appreciated!

Have fun!

Four Fabulous Fall Crafts

Leave a comment October 28, 2016 aimeevictorianarmoire

Even though it is nearing the end of October, there is still plenty of time to create a few more fall themed crafts! With Thanksgiving weeks away, spending a few happy hours creating something festive the perfect way to prepare and welcome this most joyous holiday. So, with that in mind, I scoured the internet to find four fabulous ideas that are perfect to either bedeck the house with, or keep you warm while you watch those fall football games!

So take a look and see if anything tickles your crafting fancy! Then, simply click the link under each picture to be take to the post along with instructions!

To start, I adored these no sew pumpkins. Perfect to whip up in a hurry, and in a variety of colors and patterns, these can be done by adults and children alike!

Project from Confessions of a Plate Addict

Although I don’t personally crochet, these adorable little leaves make me wish I did! Perfect for a wreath, a garland, or pinned to a jacket, these colorful little beauties are to sweet to pass up!

Project from Idea Stands

This next craft blends crafting and sewing together in a most wonderful way! I can see this garland above a window or doorway. What a great way to welcome guests into your home this holiday season!

Project from BugabooCity

Many of us have already broken out the hat and gloves for those cold chilly mornings. And wouldn’t a lovely pair of plaid hand warmers like these come in very handy? I think so!

Project from Sadie Season Goods

So grab that cup of warm cider, pop in your favorite movie and get to crafting!

Vintage Magazine Cover Wall Collage

1 Comment July 18, 2016 aimeevictorianarmoire

Last Saturday, I spent about three hours rearranging and organizing my sewing studio. I was trying to create a better backdrop for future videos I wish to create. However, as I was moving things around and trying to find the best spot, I was disappointed that I didn’t have a wall that I was proud enough of to show to all of you. Enter my new challenge…create a wall that IS worthy to show all of you!

So I decided to create a vintage magazine themed wall collage that I hope will add a little charm and appeal to my videos. I decided to go with 1910’s Good Housekeeping and McCall’s covers as they had the most color and some of my favorite styles of art.

Here are a few of the ones I chose!

Then I went and found some rather inexpensive white frames in various sizes to add some interest. I printed the images out on photo paper and then placed them in the frames. I traced the frames out on plain paper and then marked the location of the nail on these paper shapes. Using painters tape, I was then able to adjust, rearrange, and evaluate to my hearts content. Once I was happy with the overall look, I then just nailed through the mark on the paper shape, removed the paper from the wall, and hung up my frames!

And here is the finished look!

Perfect!!!

Have a wonderful Monday!!

Five Recently Discovered Sewing Hacks

5 Comments July 6, 2016 aimeevictorianarmoire

I tend to be a bit behind the times. I think that is one reason why I enjoy the past so much. 🙂

So when it comes to sewing, I am truly a trial and error kind of sewer. I encounter a problem, and then I sit and think about how to fix it. I am a very “keep my eyes on my own paper” type of person. However, I will often miss out on tricks of the trade that other experienced sewers have discovered which could help make my sewing easier and more efficient. So, I spent a little time searching out some of these little tips and thought I would share my favorite five. Many of you may already be very familiar with these ideas, but in case you are like me, you may have never found them on your own without a little bit of help! 🙂

Tip #1 – Use two or three pencils rubber banded together to add in your seam allowance when tracing or designing your own pattern.

Photo credit: Sew McCool

Tip #2 – Wrap a large rubber band around your sewing machine arm to keep seams very straight.

Photo Credit: Yesterday’s Thimble

Tip#3 – To avoid frayed ends, wash fabric in a pillow case with the end tied in knot.

Photo Credit: The Mother Huddle

Tip #4 – This tip hits home as I have ruined many a gown with ripping through a buttonhole. Place a pin on one end of the buttonhole to avoid tearing through the fabric.

Photo Credit: Simple Simon and Company

Tip #5 – Keep pins in a bar of soap to help them slide through fabric easier. I imagine this would be wonderful when pleating large amounts of fabric into a waistband.

Photo Credit: Make it Love it

I hope these little tips will help make your sewing more effective and enjoyable…I know they have mine!

Happy Wednesday!

Did you know that I have begun creating more 19th century clothing to sell?

Curious?

Feel free hop over here for a little peek!!

Creating a Summer Arrangement

3 Comments June 13, 2016 aimeevictorianarmoire

During Memorial weekend I was inspired to create a new centerpiece for my kitchen table. I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do, but I felt that I needed something sweet and colorful. I visited my local Michael’s craft store and was delighted to find a great sale on silk flowers…so I picked up anything that I thought would look nice. However, the one thing I couldn’t figure out was what vase to use. Well, next door to our Michael’s was a Pier 1, and after some very fun browsing, I found two glasses that I thought could work. A list of the some of the tools and supplies I used are listed below.

So I took everything I purchased, including a bottle of clear gel for the bottom of the vase, and laid it all out!

I debated what was the best vase (as I found some more around my house) to use for quite a while until I settled on the two clear tumblers I purchased at Pier I. Since I wanted to use the clear gel in the bottom of the vases,I began heating it up to liquefy the gel. This is a painfully slow process which requires you to heat the bottle up in a pot of simmering water for about 30 minutes. Oh, and if possible, use an old pot!

In the meantime, I practiced arranging the flowers in the glasses. Once I was happy, I took a picture so I would remember how they looked when I stuck them into the gel.

After enough time for the gel to become soft and pour-able, I divided the bottle up between the two glasses. Then I stuck the glasses back into the simmering water for another 35-40 minutes to eliminate bubbles.

Once the vases had “cooked” long enough, I dried them off and inserted the flowers using the picture I had taken as a guide. Once I was done, I let the vases sit undisturbed for several hours. As a finishing touch, I wrapped some rafia around the vases and placed them on the table with pride.

So if you feel the need for a centerpiece change, let the happy colors of summer lead you on the path to decorated happiness!

Products Used:

Glassware from Pier 1

Clear Water Gel from Walmart

A Love for “What-Not” Shelves

1 Comment March 18, 2016 aimeevictorianarmoire

I had never heard of the term “what-not” to explain a shelf until I was in my teen years shopping around an antique store. The shelves that earned this name were usually made of wood and often were painted white. A few had graduated shelving sizes while others were uniform and made to mount on a wall. Similar to this style…

While shelves from the 1880’s-1950’s varied in size, style, and location, their purpose never changed: to display one’s most treasured items!

While the term “what-not” isn’t used as often, the technique is still very much alive, and with even more creative shelving styles! I have collected several of my favorite examples of shelves featured in a variety of places in the home.

Here we go!

These open shelves in a kitchen, are perfect to display dishes and treasured pottery!

Image from Adorn Inc.

Suitcases are a great option for an office or above a small desk in a bedroom.

Available for purchase from PB Teen.

This display is ideal for those true Victorian lovers…look at all those lovely floral patterns!

Image from Elfnpulver

Fabric can be displayed in this unique arrangement of wooden crates!

Image from Apartment Therapy

This is perfect for a bathroom, nursery, or sewing room!

Image from Woman’s Day – link not available.

So get creative and display your treasures on a shelf equally as special and unique!

All the best,

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In the Craft Room: Book Storage

2 Comments March 7, 2016 aimeevictorianarmoire

I have hopped on the Ikea bandwagon. There, I said it and I feel much better about myself. If you aren’t on this wagon, I suggest you jump on with both hands…or both feet….however that saying goes! 🙂

Now I am not some Ikea spokesperson, but I own exactly one item from Ikea and that has left me wanting more! What is this one item? I am fairly certain it is the most well-known item in the sewing /crafting world based on the number of pins, shares, and features it has had over the past several years. What is this item? It is the Raskog Utility cart in turquoise. Of course it comes in other colors, but this was the color I choose.

When I received the item, I really scratched my head on the best way to use it. Should it hold my tools, fabric, patterns….I really wasn’t sure. I played around with many different options, until it finally became the place I keep my most favorite and special books. And I have to say, I adore it!

With its little wheels, I can move it anywhere I need to and with its sturdy metal construction, I can stack as much stuff in it as needed.

Want to purchase your own for $30.00? Click the picture below!!

Do you have an Ikea cart? How do you use it? I would love to hear from you as I am debating getting another one! 🙂

Have a wonderful day everyone!!

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Organizing My Sewing Notions

4 Comments February 3, 2016 aimeevictorianarmoire

When I sew, I need to have everything around me neat, orderly, and organized. I never was like this when I was younger, but the older I get, the more I can’t shutout a nearby mess. Now, I have realized that neat to some is messy to others and vice versa. Each person must recognize the state their environment must be in to create properly…and make sure it stays that way! It all made sense to me when I read this excerpt from a 1949 Singer Sewing Machine Manual:

“Prepare yourself mentally for sewing. Think about what you are going to do. Never approach sewing with a sigh or lackadaisically. Good results are difficult when indifference dominates. Never start to sew with a sink full of dirty dishes or beds unmade.”

With each person open to their own interpretation of what “prepare yourself mentally” means in regards to sewing, it is amazing what a freeing feeling it gives to the whole creative process. I have observed enough of myself to have come up with three main rules I must obey before I can begin sewing:

Completely put away all tools/fabric/patterns from step to step. After I draft a pattern, everything gets put back before I begin cutting out the pattern and so on.
Following the completion of each project, vacuum and dust. This mentally frees me up to say goodbye to one project and hello to a new one.
A place for everything and everything in its place. This mostly applies to all my sewing notions, trims, buttons, threads, etc.

Number three, in particular, took me quite a while to finagle and organize into my sewing pleasure. So I thought I would share a few pictures highlighting how and in what, I organize my notions.

A few years back, I purchase a rolling cart with many shallow drawers from Joann Fabrics. I placed the cart right next to my sewing table so everything I need is in easy reach. The shelves have proven to be perfect for thread, snaps, needles, zippers, etc….

I have two drawers that hold my threads which I color code. I then make sure that the bobbins stay with the thread it matches.

I also picked up this little organizer from Michaels last November. It is perfect for holding all my buttons which I organize by color, stapling multiples together.

Scissors, and rulers are kept near my cutting table along with all my markers, pens, and pencils…and a lighter for my candles! 🙂

Aimee's Victorian Armoire

In The Craft Room

Fun Vintage Sewing Projects

Four Fabulous Fall Crafts