11/12/09

Old quilt...new life


Hi...I'm Ashley from Under the Sycamore. Thanks Rachel for the invite to guest blog and congratulations (more pictures of that sweet girl please!). I'll admit I was both excited and intimidated when Rachel asked me to be a guest blogger. You see, I feel a bit out place. I've looked at some of your blogs from your comments and it seems that not only does Rachel, the RVA girls and the other guest bloggers have that super cute Indie coolness going on, but most of you readers do too! I am a mom of 4 kids all age 5 and under (3 boys, 1 baby girl)...I drive a mini-van because it is practical...I couldn't pull off cute headbands no matter how hard I tried! However, I love life, creating and most things vintage - so I think we have some things in common. I debated what to share with you here and opted for a little diy project that involves repurposing an old quilt. I've passed by numerous quilts in thrift stores because they were in such bad shape not much could be done with them. My mom picked one up at a garage sell for $5.00. Intially I considered trying to repair it, but it was too far gone. WARNING: This post involves cutting an old quilt...
Here's the quilt...there are sections intact, but most is falling apart. Quilting is a big part of my family, so I fully appreciate all the time that went into making this, but I couldn't help thinking that the woman that made this would rather see it being used and appreciated rather than stuck in a closet (or a $5.00 garage sale)....

With a big deep breath I made the first cut...the first cut was the hardest!
My project was to create ruffles with the top and back of the quilt. So I cut my strips, pulled the quilting stitches out, removed the batting, sewed down the edges (and made a few strips with new fabric too)
After making my strips I sewed the edges down on the edges of kitchen towels (a couple of dollars from Target). Once the edges were attached, I pinned the strips down creating ruffles and stitched them down. I repeated using 3 strips: quilt top, quilt back, modern fabric.
You know this is a fast project if I could get it done with an awake baby watching me in the room....Rachel, it is possible I promise!
The final product...ruffled semi-vintage tea towels.
Tie a couple cookie cutter to it and you have a super cute gift for Christmas!

Another idea...just for you Rachel...sew some ruffles on a pair of bloomers. I've learned quickly that every dress you purchase at a store comes with bloomers. I admit I wasn't much of a ruffle girl until 4 months ago when my daughter was born - now I want to add them to everything.
I'll be back next Thursday with some more ideas for what you can do with those beyond repair old quilts...come visit me at Under the Sycamore sometime! See you next week...

18 comments:

Betty Bohemian said...

man, I wish I had a girl to ruffle it up with!!! guess i'll just have to torture..a'hem... i mean, dress the dog in ruffles!

in my world of five said...

I love the tea towels, but who can resist ruffles on cute girls!

Kara said...

Ashley-its so a girl thing!! i love love love ruffles + i have 3 girls, but i have NEVER thought about adding them to the store bloomers, such a extra dose of CUTE!
thanks for the awesome idea!! i love your blog and have been reading for sometime.

heather dawn said...

oh this is toooooo cute!!!!

RachelDenbow said...

Ashley, this is the cutest and I love how you reused an old quilt. I usually pass them up, too, because I don't know what to even with large spaces that are worth sparing. Knowing I can still salvage small bits will probably justify my next worn quilt purchase. :)

And you are the ultimate cool mom in my book. A constant inspiration to bring beauty and truth and fun into the every day at home.

Valerie said...

Ah, too cute, Ashley! And funny enough I just picked up an old quilt top on Saturday, but I will be using it as a tablecloth, I think. And you're such a nut comparing yourself to the other bloggers -- that is how the rest of us feel about you -- the epidemy of COOL ARTISTIC AWESOME MOM!

jessie b said...

you rock Ashley! ill have to check out your blog now :)

Anonymous said...

Love the ruffled bloomers! {shriek} and the dishtowels are darling...I may have to make me some :) Thank you! I will have to go peek at your blog now.

Hi Rachel! hugs!xx

Diana Martin said...

Oh so sweet ruffles!!! And even sweeter with a gorgeous sweet baby! xo

Jari said...

oh my my! i love the ruffles! i'm sooo into them too!
i love this time of year and all the cutie diy's are perfect! thank you!!!

jeremy said...

goooorg. those are so pretty.

Mandi Johnson said...

I love it! I too have passed up on some super awesome quilt covers because of their shabby shape. But no longer. ;)

OpaqueSkies said...

Very cute post. I saw this at Sew, Mama, Sew today along the same vein. Reusing an old quilt to make stockings.

http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=858

SandyQuilts said...

Adorable. Oh those big beautiful eyes.

Anonymous said...

Omg, ADORE these! I'm totally going to make some of these and give to friends/teachers for Christmas! Thank you for such a great gift idea! ;)

Heather - Dollarstorecrafts.com said...

How fun! I love quilts so much!

DeeDee said...

THose bloomers are the cutest. That quilt has moved onto a better life.

tallynt said...

who can resist a cute little ruffle bum, such adorableness.