May
02
I love fashion sewing, dressmaking, and helping others create their own style using Indygo Junction patterns. But, style isn’t just about garments. You can make a style statement anytime, anywhere with accessories and housewares that are one size fits all.
Indygo Junction just released the video “Indygo Junction’s Practical Style: A Look Book” to showcase a few patterns that are fun, functional, and fashionable:
Whether you’re an expert seamstress or just learning beginner basics, these patterns offer something for everyone. I also love that there’s ample opportunity to simply reach into your fabric stash or used recycled materials in these supply-saving patterns.
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Apr
17
After the whirlwind of excitement around the Vintage-Inspired Modern Style Design Challenge the past few months, I think I’ve finally caught my breath! Before I start running again (Quilt Market, anyone?), I wanted to take a minute to congratulate the winners and appreciate all the hard work and talent that went into the 123 project submissions we received on BurdaStyle.com! If you haven’t already, browse through the gallery of entries for some exciting inspiration.
First of all, congratulations to Sew Country Chick, who won Sponsor’s Choice for her “A Patchy Bias Dress” design! The dress was made using Indygo Junction patterns Best Bias Skirt and Garden Party Pullover. Well done, Sew Country Chick! SINGER, Coats & Clark, and Indygo Junction sew loved your design!
The winner of the BurdaStyle community choice was member Yearling with her “Slip-On Dress”. The crowd loves you, Yearling! Way to go!
The runner up BurdaStyle community winner was nancy2001 with her “Stop the Presses Jacket”. In addition to using Indygo Junction’s Trench Topper as her starting point, nancy2001’s design is also a direct reference to a piece of pop culture! Click through to her design to find out which fictional character served as her inspiration. You inspired us too, nancy2001!
Thanks to all who entered, voted, or helped spread the word about the Challenge. It was an exciting endeavor on all accounts, and the reinvention of patterns new and old was truly inspirational. Find your own fashion design and sewing inspiration in my book Vintage Notions or on IndygoJunction.com.
Mar
20
Easter is just around the corner, and Spring is in the air!
In my collection of vintage home arts books and magazines, I’ve found an abundance of wonderful vintage kids crafts to share with you. This fun, “jolly Easter duck” project came from a children’s magazine called the Buddy Book, published in 1929.
This project is a simple, yet creative craft for kids to construct a free-standing duck with nothing more than this page and a pair of scissors. The directions suggest that “by tracing the pattern you can make a whole flock of Easter ducks”, but today, all you have to do is print out more pages! I love finding vintage goodies like this and comparing them to what we have today. Paper crafts and DIY kids projects have made a huge comeback — especially free online printables. But I can’t help appreciating the hand-drawn style and charming simplicity of projects like this one from the Buddy Book.
For more Easter images and craft projects, like the “Easter Joys” image above, check out The Vintage Workshop’s extensive image library, and keep up with the Workshop Window blog for a free image download every day. Find more free goodies when you “Like” The Vintage Workshop on Facebook! Also, keep an eye on my blog for some upcoming Easter printables…. Enjoy!
Click on the image to enlarge to full size.
Feb
13
Valentine’s is just a day away, but here’s a great project that you can do in no time! It’s perfect for sharing some sweets with your sweetie!
This Valentine Truffle Box project was also recently featured on the blog by my good friend, Cindy Hopper, on her blog, Skip to My Lou. Cindy invited me to participate in her Printable Valentine series, which featured free project instructions from a variety of creative bloggers. It’s a great selection of DIY goodies!
Just click on the image below to download a PDF with instructions, pattern pieces, and a vintage image from The Vintage Workshop. To see our extensive collection of downloadable art, visit www.thevintageworkshop.com or like The Vintage Workshop on Facebook to get updates on our Daily Free Image Giveaway! You can see more Valentine’s Day project inspiration on our Pinterest page.
- Click image to download instructions for the Valentine Truffle Box
Other fun Valentine’s Day project ideas using Vintage Workshop art:
- Click here for more fun Valentine’s Day images from The Vintage Workshop!
Dec
16
Happy Holidays everyone! We are less than week away from Christmas, and that means its time to start wrapping up your holiday preparations. For decoration, Christmas trees and wreaths may last for awhile, but you’ll want something fresh to use the week of, and for your Christmas dinner table.
I love to “deck the halls” with fresh greenery around the holidays whenever possible! And while mistletoe does fall into the category of fresh greenery (see vintage Home Arts magazine, above!) I generally prefer to go a more traditional route.
When I was struggling with a way to use this wide-mouthed bowl, my friend Deb suggested that I make my own flower “frog” out of scotch tape. First, make a tape grid across your bowl of choice. You can use floral tape if you wish, but the regular scotch tape worked just fine.
Then, I got my greenery handy. I love this assortment of evergreen sprigs and holly branches! I arranged the stems in the vase so they fan out along the length of the table. The result is a fresh, fragrant centerpiece that you’ll want to keep around well after Christmas!
I hope you enjoy this simple, cheerful holiday how-to!
Dec
14
Want to “unwind” during the holidays? Salvage your thread spools to make a cute Christmas craft!
I discovered these
adorable handmade ornaments at an antique mall a few years ago. I love how simple this project is – bu
t what a stunning statement it makes. These tree-trimmers are adorned with lace or rick rack and topped with a pair of decorative buttons. You can use a threaded spool for a peekaboo pop of color or wrap a scrap of decorative fabric around a bare cylinder. Try dangling a jingle bell from the base or affixing a cluster of beads or pearls for extra dimension. Any way you dress ‘em, these cool spools are a fun and funky alternative to traditional bulbs. (more…)
Dec
06
“Aren’t we all just tired of things? Nobody wants to buy things anymore. We want experiences.”
These were words spoken in a panel discussion at the Creative Connection Event this past September. They attest to the fact that more and more people are understanding the great value of handcrafted goods and personal connections to our work. This sentiment is — I believe — at the heart of the DIY “Revolution”. In the handmade market, the buyer and the seller often experience a connection over the purchased item. The buyer knows the seller created his or her work because of an authentic interest, which also adds to the experience. With the trendiness of upcycling and refashioning, the materials themselves might even have a back story all their own — adding to an even deeper experience. (more…)
Nov
22
Thanksgiving is a holiday when we can ho
pefully put away the distractions and stresses of our daily lives and come together for a day of food, family, and fun. And where is that we come together? Around the table, of course!
Matching china and silverware, place settings, tablecloth, napkins, centerpiece….it can add up to a lot of work, but the results are enjoyed by all. I like to push myself to try something new each year, even it’s something very small — like this fun turke
y-pumpkin centerpiece we made last year:
In the November chapter of Vintage Notions, you’ll find all sorts of useful tips, recipes, and advice for decorating, cooking, and staying sane during the holidays! I love this little thought from Mary Brooks Picken, featured on the chapter title page: (more…)
Sep
30
Paper or plastic? Neither!
If you thought the bring-your-own-bag trend at grocery stores was a recent movement, you may be surprised to learn that some shoppers were loading their own tree-hugging totes as early as 1944. That’s when Mary Brooks Picken published an article in Better Homes and Gardens called “Five Paper Saving Carry-Alls,” in which she provides pattern instructions on how to make stylish sacks to haul to the supermarket. (After finding out that Mary was a contributor to BHG, I toured their headquarters in Des Moines and did some research looking for more of her work. I was lucky enough to tour their kitchen and photo studio.)
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Sep
23
If you’ve been following my blog and Facebook lately, you know that last weekend I was in St. Paul, Minnesota for the second annual gathering of The Creative Connection — a wonderful weekend of keynote speakers, workshops, panel discussions, and networking with (mostly) women entrepreneurs in the creative arts industry.
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