Upcycling a Vintage Sewing Pattern
Today I'm actually sharing a project that was completed a few years ago. I didn't take any pictures and it was never posted on this blog. It was time!
These vintage patterns were purchased at the estate sale I attend four times (yes, I actually did that)!
Welcome to the 'Do It Over' Designers blog hop. We are a group of bloggers who love to recycle/upcycle/DIY. I'm happy to host this hop and I hope you'll visit everyone to see what they have to share with you. This time our theme is 'Paper'. The links will be listed at the end of this post.
Since the theme is 'Paper" it was time to show you what I did with some of those patterns. A few years ago I purchased and refinished The $15 Dresser. She was a beauty and had a surprise in one of the drawers.
Four canvases with fabulous wood mounting frames. I really didn't know what to do with them until I found those beautiful vintage sewing patterns. An idea was born resulting in this:
Here's a close-up of one of them:
Since there are no photos to show you how I made these, let me make another one and share the process.
This post may contain affiliate links.
What you'll need:
- a canvas
- Mod Podge
- paintbrush
- plastic wrap
- microtip scissors
- cardstock
- embellishments of your choice
To get started, you'll need the canvas, Mod Podge, vintage sewing pattern, and a piece of plastic wrap.
Apply the Mod Podge to your canvas using a paintbrush.
Cover the entire surface and gently lay down a piece of sewing pattern.
Using a piece of plastic wrap, smooth the pattern on the canvas eliminating as many wrinkles as you can.
I decided to make this background 2-tone, so I just added some pattern pieces to the corners using the same method.
Using microtip scissors (they really are a must when cutting out this much detail), the image was cut from the pattern envelope.
Mounted on a piece of cardstock, it was then added to the canvas.
Along with the pattern brand and date.
After adding a topcoat of Mod Podge, some embellishments were added.
That was it. This little piece of 'artwork?' was complete.
Wouldn't they make a wonderful gift for a friend who sews?
In all honesty, I don't do a lot of sewing but I love the look of vintage clothing and these are much easier to display.
Before you run off, don't forget this is a blog hop and the rest of the team has some amazing upcycle/recycle/did-it-over PAPER projects to share with you. The links are all listed below:
Fabulous Ann! Such a creative way to showcase vintage fashion and I love that you included the pattern brand and date! The mix of clothing images and tissue pattern paper add so much interest and nostalgia to your artwork! I may need to steal your idea for my sewing room.
ReplyDeleteBy all means, steal the idea. I just love these vintage patterns and they deserve to be displayed!
DeleteOh, I love this idea! Beautiful art!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Gina!
DeleteWhat a lovely piece of artwork, Ann! And I love your creative use of fashion history, too! If this doesn't bring back memories of growing up. I'm talking the late 50's - early childhood. I would play with my neighbor's daughter. The neighbor was a seamstress for a theatre group and she would have a wall covered with costume patterns. I was always intrigued with what she was sewing!
ReplyDeleteOh, if those wall could talk! We just don't have fashion like that anymore.
DeleteVintage sewing patterns are a favorite of mine. I can't resist them when I see them, so I adore this DIY. The fact that you included the copyright information makes me smile, too. I love that the date shows. SO pretty!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kim. I think the date is almost the best part!
DeleteOh my goodness Ann, I am a huge fan of vintage clothing, and this seems like the perfect way to display those vintage goodies. I want to learn to sew, I keep saying it, and it keeps getting pushed to the wayside. I need to dust off the sewing machine, and give it a try. Don't you just love the style of days gone by, so classy, and feminine.
ReplyDeleteI do love the styles from the past. The broad shoulders & nipped waistlines...people knew how to dress!
DeleteSuch a fun idea for vintage patterns. You've turned them into art! I don't see vintage patterns here very often, but I'll keep my eye out for them.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tuula. They don't show up often...but when they do....!
DeleteI have these patterns. Originals! Still use modified versions. Still enjoy sewing.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely! The fashions of this era are some of my favorites.
DeleteWow, wonderful project they look so elegant. I love that you kept the details of the pattern and incorporated it into the design.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anita. They were a lot of fun to make!
DeleteThese pictures are so fun! I have a few old patterns and I keep thinking I might actually make the garments sometime - of course I know I won't so maybe I should make lovely art instead!
ReplyDeleteIt's important to have options, Julie. Since I don't sew clothes, the choice was an easy one for me!
DeleteWhat a clever idea - perfect for a sewing/craft room! This brings back many memories for me as I sewed my own clothes for years when i was younger!
ReplyDeleteI learned to sew in 4-H and Home-Ec. I was never good at it so this is a better option for me!
DeleteThis is a very creative way to use old patterns. My mom has a collection of old apron patterns that we were just looking at yesterday. Some of them would be cute transformed into wall art!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like I may have inspired an idea! Yay!
DeleteI've never heard of microtip scissors but they sound like a must-have! This is a beautiful way to make a display out of something with interesting history.
ReplyDeleteMicrotip scissors are the best and are always within reach on my craft table. These patterns definitely have history and I just love the fashions from this era!
DeleteThis is fun, since these are so old, I would be tempted to scan the image and play with it enlarged as well as pieced. But these are really cute. Reminds me of the Simplicity vintage re-releases a few years back and so many memories of my mom's sewing cabinet. Sandi
ReplyDeleteYou know, I didn't even think about scanning them, but that's a great idea, Sandi! They certainly bring back memories, though!
DeleteThese old patterns bring back wonderful memories! As a young woman (many years ago) I used to sew my own clothes, and I do love all these retro styles. Dressing was so elegant back then.
ReplyDelete