Pincushions - Fun Functionality

13" long 

Here's the newest addition to my pincushion collection.
A Christmas gift this year from a dear friend, she actually put it together from vintage components - from the elongated form of an old base, to the fabric showing through the vintage Hardanger needlework on the top.
Read more about this technique here.




The final touch of intricate vintage lace trim with dangling bobbles around the entire edge makes it extra fancy.

I've put a few hat pins in now for prettiness but I do intend to use it.





I discovered I have a few more in this style:
all have crocheted tops....

Click here for a link to an interesting blog with some pincushion history and more examples.

I'll share more from my collection in a future post. 

Do you collect pincushions?

"Cheater" Doll Quilt - Quick and Easy!

I am very backed up on posting so things will be out of order for awhile! I did receive a special Christmas gift I want to share with you and my promised 2013 wrap-up and some thoughts on the coming year...but yesterday I did what I often do. I got excited to make up a little doll quilt after seeing a vintage cheater on the Crib and Doll Quilts Facebook page. Ann Hermes has been sharing her amazing collection there recently.  Take a look at her blog, too. She is really into doll quilts and Pennsylvania related items.
I knew I had several pretty cute cheater prints in a small scale. I can't think of a quicker way to make a quilt! I added two simple borders.

16.5" x 22"

Here's a closer look. The little blocks are just 2" square.
I plan to use some light blue wool yarn I have for ties at each intersection. Then I'll wash it a time or two so the yarn balls up. I love that look.








By the way, fabrics that have been printed to look like patchwork (or even applique) are nothing new in this OR the previous century! They have been around since the late 1800's at least. Perhaps the best term to use is 'printed patchwork'. You may have also heard 'faux patchwork'....'cheater' seems to have a negative connotation!

Here's a wholecloth in printed patchwork in the collection of the International Quilt Study Center in Lincoln, NE.

c. 1880










Here's one my non-sewing mother made after finding lots of printed fabric at a yard sale. She used it on both sides and tied it with red yarn. I love it!

Do you see the seam down the middle?

Looks like the 1970's 

So there you have it...a quick blog post on a quick way to make a quilt!

Here's wishing you all wonderful, quilt-filled 2014!