Roosters to wake you in the morning

By on 3-09-2010 in Embroidery, Vintage Patterns

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I love this rooster from two McCall’s Needlework & Craft Magazines. The pattern is from the Fall-Winter 1970-71 magazine. They used it for two mosaics, one made with beans and seeds and the other from nails and brads. I chose to use it as a quilt pattern. The edges of each of his feathers were left raw to give him a better “feathery” feel and a mother -of-pearl button turned to the back was used for his eye. My little rooster is hanging at the back door entry wall and greets everyone who enters through my door. He would also make a great cook book cover, or maybe painted onto a bread box or planter. It’s time to redo him and this time I think I will try different patterned fabrics for his feathers.

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A 316kb pdf rooster pattern is here : McCall’s Magazine Rooster Pattern

Christmas in February

By on 2-23-2010 in Christmas Patterns, Embroidery, Vintage Patterns

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These little vintage embroidered ornaments are in the McCall’s Christmas Make-it Ideas, Volume X, 1967 magazine. Embroidered on felt they lend themselves well to updated stitches and fabrics. I chose a muslin backing and red floss to do the little piglet. It hasn’t been put together into an actual ornament yet, but it will have a red backing along with a fringed, muslin border. Rather than using satin stitch for fill and a back stitch for lines I chose chain stitch with two strands of floss. The chain stitch fills easily without puckering on a project without a hoop. I back my muslin with a piece of flannelette to give strength to the piece as well as hiding any cross stitching on the back.

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Isn’t this little piglet sweet? He would certainly stand out on any Christmas Tree. He could also be used throughout the year for a package ornament.

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Patterns for all 5 ornaments, a 610kb PDF file, can be downloaded here: McCall’s Christmas Make It Ideas, Volume X, Embroidered Ornaments

McCall’s Valentine Delight Quilt

By on 2-10-2010 in Embroidery, Vintage Patterns


Betsy Nyhan’s Valentine Delight Quilt


The February 1986 McCall’s Magazine carried this pretty pattern. Designed by Betsy Nyhan, it is an exquisite way to use antique hankies, laces, pillow case edgings etc. She used antique hankies. The quilted heart pattern shown below, which was included in the article could be used for other applications as well. I can see it on an album cover, using trapunto to fill out the hearts. It would also look great as the center medallion for a small whole cloth quilt.

Betsy Nyhan’s Valentine Delight quilt pattern. This pattern is a 715kg PDF document. The heart is 6 1/2 ” x 6 1/2 “. Just the right size for a sweet wall quilt.
McCall’s Needlework Feb 1986 Valentine Delight, Designed by Betsy Nyhan

Christmas in January

By on 1-31-2010 in Christmas Patterns, Embroidery, Vintage Patterns

Balsa Wood Ornaments above, Embroidered and Beaded Ornaments below

The first Christmas vintage pattern. I hope to bring one new pattern each month….that will be a total of 12 new patterns in the year, free to download with suggestions and/or photos of how I have used them through the years.

The original patterns were used to cut and paint balsa wood ornaments. I immediately fell in love with these Mexican themed ornaments. They were included in the McCall’s Christmas Make-it Ideas magazine, Volume X, 1967.

I chose to embroider and bead them on muslin, back them with a piece of bright red felt then fringe the edges beyond the seam. When I embroider on muslin I back the pieces with flannelette which gives them dimension when finished as well as hiding any back stitching. I then do not have to use a hoop, but can embroider them simply by holding them.

Hand work is my favourite technique, giving me the chance to unwind and design as I go. Usually I’m not sure what I will do with a piece until I’ve actually started it.

Balsa Wood ornament

You can find all the patterns in this 590kb pdf document:McCall’s Christmas Balsa Wood Ornaments