Make Do and Mend Mondays

 Today, I wanted to share a Make Do and Mend from generations ago.  I was at my mother's house yesterday and saw this quilt.  Quilts were used for warmth and comfort.  It was often made from flour sacks, or scraps, or what the quilter had on hand.  I had wanted something colorful and summery on my bed so this fit that requirement.

This was a quilt that was on my bed when I was a little girl.  Since I was feeling down and out, I decided to bring the quilt home and wrap up in it just to have a connection to my mother.  For those of you who don't know, my mother died 3 years ago and her birthday is coming up July 6th.  Needless to say, she has been on my mind lately.  Anyway, back to the quilt.  I have a queen size bed and this quilt just covers the top of the bed.  It looks as though Mama made these blocks and pieced them with equal size blocks.  What I love about this quilt is that it is not all matchy-matchy.  She used what she had and even piece the "solid" blocks using what she had on hand. 

Maybe my friend, Heidi, can tell us the name of this quilt block.  It escapes me right now.  I do know this quilt was most likely made in the late 1930s or the early 1940s. 

I am linking to Heidi's Make Do and Mend Mondays.

Warmly,

Making Cloth Napkins

Tomorrow is the first day of summer and what better way to celebrate it than to make new cloth napkins?!  I have been on a cloth napkin kick lately since we seem to go through paper napkins like water in a bucket with a hole!  Now, I know some folks can make an argument over paper versus cloth but since I am washing towels anyway, I figure those cloth napkins are not going to take up much space.  And, besides, who doesn't love a nice cloth napkin?  

On our 10th anniversary we went to Hawaii and I bought this fabric around that time.  I had originally thought I would make D a pillowcase but never got around to making one.  I thought this was perfect for summer napkins!  Who wouldn't want to be in Hawaii?!!  And, it did use some of my stash that "he who does not understand why I have so much fabric" keeps pointing out to me.  *grins*

If you want to make your own cloth napkins, there are many excellent tutorials on the web.  Here are a few that I like:

http://www.skiptomylou.org/2009/04/20/make-your-own-cloth-napkins/ 

http://blog.maggiemakes.com/sing_forever/tutorial-cloth-napkins.html/

http://www.filminthefridge.com/2008/11/19/make-your-table-pretty-a-reversible-rick-rack-napkin-tutorial/

I have plans to make lots more napkins this summer.   For today, I am linking to Heidi's Make Do and Mend Challenge.  Hope to see you there!

Heidi's

Sew Thankful you dropped by,

 

Make Do and Mend- Curling Iron Cover

 

This is a Vera Bradley curling iron cover which costs somewhere in the neighborhood of $18 not counting taxes and shipping.  It's very lovely but you are not going to take it out for an evening.  It is a utilitarian accessory.  No need to spend that much money unless you just really LOVE Vera!

 

This is my version of the same thing.  It serves the same purpose.  Mine was free!  I took a new potholder which I had gotten several years ago, and sewed it on the edges with a zig-zag stitch.  It works perfectly!  I think I paid a dollar for this at the local dollar store.  On Wednesday morning, as we were leaving for a few days, I used the curling iron, unplugged it, slipped it into it's cover, and packed it without a worry!  Very cool!!  So, look through those potholders before spending a lot on a name brand curling iron holder!

I am linking to Heidi's Make Do and Mend 

Have a great day!

Susan