Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Sew Exciting

Days like today I am pretty glad I've been hoarding linens for over a year, waiting for the "some day" when I learn to sew. I'm also pretty glad I am going with more of a Shabby Chic look to my daughters room. It's much more forgiving of my sewing inexperience than a more tailored look would be. 

Besides what's a girl to do when she has too many fantastic old white sheets and table cloths?

I can't afford to just buy whatever fancy linens I want for the "perfect" look, and let me tell you, these old linens scored for a song at thrifty spots around town were just wonderful for what I wanted to do!

They say practice makes perfect....well I've been practicing..... 
I made a pillow sham out of an old table cloth and some curtains.
Forgive me.....I still don't know how to iron. I suppose that is going to be what I need to learn next!
Close up of the vintage sheet I used for her duvet.
Curtains made from old sheets and vintage mint green fabric scraps.
Pillow made from an old table cloth and mint green fabric scraps.
Kitchen Valance made from an old curtain, old sheet and white ribbon.
If you don't know how to sew, I deeply encourage it. I JUST learned....... like last week. 
It's not as hard as it seems and if you aren't making an item to sell or gift then you don't have to be exact. I did these with just the sewing machine and scissors. Sure I had some pins, but I couldn't find them. I still don't have a measuring tape either.
My mistakes are plentiful but my things are functional and dare I say pretty even, mistakes and all.

Linking to:



Very Merry Vintage Style for Share the Love  
Faded Charm  for White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style  for Wow us Wednesday
DIY by Design for Winter Blues Wednesday
Type A  for Anything Goes
Restore Interiors  for Restored it Wednesday
Pink Postcard  for Transformations and Treasures
The Shabby Chic Cottage  for Transformation Thursday
House of Hepworths  for Hooking up with HoH
Common Ground  for vintage Inspiration Friday
French Country Cottage  for Feathered Nest Friday
A Little Knick Knack  for Everything but the Kitchen Sink
Romantic Home  for Show and Tell Friday
Freckled Laundry  for Air Your Laundry
Designer Garden  for VIP Party #5
How Sweet The Sound  for Pink Saturday


Posted by The Vintage Farmhouse at 12:34 PM

54 comments:

  1. UnknownMarch 1, 2011 at 12:50 PM

    I love all the ruffles!!

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  2. Amy ChalmersMarch 1, 2011 at 1:04 PM

    Yes!! Everyone should try to sew, it can be learned at a later age in life (a lot easier than learning to ice skate for sure!). Love the ruffles on the pillowcases, it really looks shabby chic. Cute kitchen curtain too.

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  3. Blue Ridge Altered ArtMarch 1, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    You did a marvelous job. If you had not said you just learned to sew I would never had known. I haven't sewn in years. I use to make quilts, but my patience ran thin. Congratulations on a wonderful job. Everyting looks great. ~~Sherry~~

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  4. Tammy@Beatrice BanksMarch 1, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    You've done a great job! Way ahead of me, that's for sure. I can't sew a stitch. Love all the ruffles!

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  5. Vintage Country GirlMarch 1, 2011 at 4:00 PM

    I think you did great! It looks adorable! I also made some ruffle pillows for my daughter's room. Way to go!

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  6. ~Tonja~March 1, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    What a wonderful job...love it all...that pink sheet looks just like the ones I have and they was to small for my bed and I took the flat sheet cut in half and used them as curtain panels for my bedroom and the fitted I cut part of it into a circle for a table top over lace for my side table and have enough left to make 2 pillow cases...
    Great job...can't wait to see what you sew next...
    Have a Blessed day
    Tonja

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  7. UnknownMarch 1, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    I am back to sewing... oh.. I need to look for some old sheets/linens. What great sewing project!!

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  8. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleMarch 1, 2011 at 5:25 PM

    You did better than I would do. I want to do more sewing too eventually. thanks for joining WUW.

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  9. very merry vintage styleMarch 1, 2011 at 5:37 PM

    Wow these are amazing! I love the ruffles on the pillows and how you pieced things together to make it work for you. You sure learned quickly! Thanks for linking up to Share the Love Wednesday! Have a great week-
    Mary

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  10. Tammy @ Type AMarch 1, 2011 at 6:20 PM

    love it! thanks for sharing this at my party! the kitchen curtain is adorable. i wish i had a window in my kitchen. so jealous.

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  11. Jacqueline~Cabin and CottageMarch 1, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    It looks like you've had such a great time with this! So cute!

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  12. Ribbonwood CottageMarch 1, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    Everything turned out great! YOu did such a good job. I have recently bought some old sheets to make pillows and tablecloths out of. I love all your ideas too.
    Blessings,
    Debbie

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  13. Carrie at In the Hammock BlogMarch 1, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    The ruffles are so pretty!
    http://inthehammockvintage.blogspot.com

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  14. Robin JohnsonMarch 1, 2011 at 9:57 PM

    Oh how I love ruffles. Your creations are beautiful

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  15. UnknownMarch 2, 2011 at 5:53 AM

    Hi Nikki, I your newest follower... Found you over at Kim's, And after looking at your profile I noticed your my neighbor.. I look forward to your blog going to put you on my side bar, I'm in Fishers nice to meet you.

    Pattie

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  16. AnonymousMarch 2, 2011 at 11:48 AM

    Amazing how you can change the look using fabric scraps and ruffles. Love it, Nicki! xx

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  17. Vintage HomeMarch 2, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    Good girl and good sewing!!

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  18. EllenMarch 2, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    That is amazing sewing talent you have -and you say you're a beginner-wow! It all looks so great. love the detail you added with the ruffles too!

    xoxo,
    Ellen

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  19. DIYbyDesignMarch 2, 2011 at 3:45 PM

    I love that pillow. I'm super impressed. Thanks so much for linking up to the Winter Blues Wednesday party.

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  20. Bee LadyMarch 2, 2011 at 4:52 PM

    Great job on learning to sew. I didn't start sewing until I was in my late 20's, then put it away for about 25 years, now I'm getting it back out and dabbling. I think clothes are hard to sew. I try, but am just not good at it. But fun stuff like you are doing, I enjoy. Glad you are enjoying it.

    Cindy Bee

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  21. the old white houseMarch 2, 2011 at 7:07 PM

    No way your a beginner! Everything looks great, I love saving all kinds of vintage fabrics too, they make the prettiest things... like your pillow and such1 xoxo

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  22. The Vintage FarmhouseMarch 2, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    @Theresa

    I promise I am totally a beginner! Before these projects I sewed some curtains and that's been about it!

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  23. Lina - Fancy Frugal LifeMarch 2, 2011 at 11:15 PM

    Love the ruffle sham! I just did a shabby room for my daughter and she has ruffle bedding, but I need a ruffle sham now! Great job.

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  24. Humble HomemakerMarch 3, 2011 at 12:41 AM

    So cute. I love the ruffles. :) Very romantic and pretty... plus perfect colours for spring!
    Thanks for sharing.
    Humble Homemaking

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  25. Kim @ A Brush of WhimsyMarch 3, 2011 at 12:44 AM

    How precious! I love the view out your window, too! Makes me want to move to the country!

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  26. {northern cottage}March 3, 2011 at 5:15 AM

    gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. I love every single piece you created. Well done!

    I'm a new sewer too - would love to have you swing by for a visit - www.northerncottage.blogspot.com

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  27. A Whole Lotta MagicMarch 3, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    Fantastic job; love your blog, too!

    Sue
    xo

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  28. SusanMarch 3, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    I love how your re purposed old linens!!

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  29. Courtney ~ French Country CottageMarch 3, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    Love the ruffles and you are doing a great job on everything- it all looks lovely! Thank you for sharing at FNF! :)

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  30. Debra@CommonGroundMarch 3, 2011 at 10:10 PM

    You're on a roll, love all the projects. Sewing can be so much fun and rewarding. thanks for linking up with VIF!
    hugs,
    Debra

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  31. Noble VintageMarch 3, 2011 at 10:56 PM

    Even learning basic sewing leads to some pretty fun projects- which you obviously figured out!! :) Great stuff! thanks for linking up!

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  32. AnonymousMarch 4, 2011 at 4:15 AM

    Who can resist the beauty of vintage linens? Love that you are taking the initiative to 'learn a new trick' and re-purpose these vintage beauties so they can be enjoyed and not stored away!

    Deborah

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  33. FlyAwayHomeMarch 4, 2011 at 5:20 AM

    I am visiting from My Romantic Home..The title of your "Show and Tell" was beginner sewing ??? WOW, if that's beginner sewing I can't wait to see your future projects.. I too am a sewer and think you have done a great job.

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  34. SommerMarch 4, 2011 at 7:20 AM

    This is INCREDIBLE! I am a skilled seamstress and I'm over the moon with envy lol. I would be delighted if you would share this at my VIP party today as well.

    Fabulous work!

    http://designergarden.blogspot.com/2011/02/hows-it-hangin.html

    Sommer

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  35. UnknownMarch 4, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    I Love them. It's so fun to recreate something!

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  36. chrisMarch 4, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    Hooray for learning how to sew! I highly recommend it. Keep practicing, you are doing really well.

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  37. CharMarch 4, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    I think you are doing a perfect job, soft and romantic. You know what they say, practice makes perfect. I love the soft colors of the white and pink.
    Happy Pink Saturday, Char

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  38. AnonymousMarch 4, 2011 at 6:05 PM

    You are in a sewing frenzy- How fun! Doing a great job!

    Happy Pink
    Saturday!

    bee blessed
    mary

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  39. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasMarch 4, 2011 at 6:13 PM

    Love what you did with your linens!
    I used to sew a lot but have not had a lot of time to return to it. Something I definitely need to change!!

    HPS!

    HUGS,
    Debbie

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  40. Mary Beth @ Live. Laugh. Make SomethingMarch 4, 2011 at 6:31 PM

    ADORABLE!! ...and just slap full of charm! Thanks for sharing your pretties! Happy Pinks....

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  41. Light and VoicesMarch 4, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    Ruffles are dreamy. HPS!
    Joyce M

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  42. RebeccaMarch 4, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    Love the ruffles and reusing the fabrics. =]

    Thanks for visiting my blog!

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  43. By the BluegrassMarch 4, 2011 at 10:06 PM

    Wowzie...you went to town! You may dare say pretty fo-sho!
    xo,
    Sena

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  44. morninglorycottageMarch 4, 2011 at 10:51 PM

    You did great for a first timer. Just keep practicing, the sewing that is. It gets easier and easier.

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  45. Gabriela Delworth - Adult Learning & DevelopmentMarch 5, 2011 at 6:13 AM

    Happy Pink Saturday!


    This pillow looks fabulous!


    ~ Gabriela ~

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  46. Faith Hope and CherryteaMarch 5, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    luvly! congrats...
    HaPpY PS ")

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  47. Stephanie Suzanne DesignsMarch 5, 2011 at 10:42 PM

    Hi Nicki,

    You go girl! I love to sew and am self taught...these days there are sooooo many tutorials online for just about anything you'd like to make....finishing techniques, ironing included really make your work shine. I'm so glad you've started your journey...don't ever stop. It's very rewarding and the learning never stops.

    Happy Pink to you!

    Hugs,
    Stephanie ♥

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  48. awal.nyMarch 6, 2011 at 5:14 AM

    The pillow is so sweet. I love anything with ruffles.

    ReplyDelete
  49. AnonymousMarch 6, 2011 at 6:29 AM

    Oh Nicki! These look great. Even though you say you started recently it looks like you have been sewing for years.

    I hope you will join my "Being Creative" blog party on Sundays!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Sanghamitra Bhattacherjee(Mukherjee)March 6, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    Lovely blog..great pics..nice writeups..would love to visit here more often :)
    Olease, join in my CSN giveaway on my design blog..

    Sanghamitra.
    http://rainbow-thecoloursofindia.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  51. Megan GunyanMarch 8, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    Oh, I love how you used vintage linens! They are so beautiful and unique! I can'at believe you just started sewing like, last week! So impressed!

    ReplyDelete
  52. UnknownMarch 10, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    First of all, everything looks GORGEOUS and you may know that I love me a little shabby. Secondly, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU SEWED ALL OF THAT HAVING JUST LEARNED! Awesome. Such great spirit you have. Love it all. Thanks so much for sharing with Air Your Laundry Friday.

    xo,
    Jami

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  53. WaseemMay 22, 2012 at 4:22 AM

    like the ruffles...look beautiful...turned out smart.

    window shutters clayton, ca

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  54. UnknownMarch 6, 2013 at 1:54 AM

    Well, that's excellent article! I enjoy reading the articles that have good information and ideas to share with each reader.
    Curtains

    ReplyDelete

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