“Sweet Memories” Vintage Pillow Cover
I love to find these beautiful, vintage pillow covers. They tend to be about 100 years old and were created in the early 1900’s. Pillows became trendy about 1907, so many began to appear about that time. Many of these use silk floss and came in a kit with a pre-tinted linen, just as our kits come today. What makes these very special to me are the quirky sayings and silk threads that were used. I quilt these on a Handi Quilter Fusion, longarm.
This the the original cover. I removed the backing, which was a depression era, green linen.
I’m pretty sure the maker would be mortified if she knew she missed a spot. The magenta stitch is hers, the satin stitching would have gone over it to give some padding.
When placing designs on cloth, I use a blue, water soluble pen. I only make registration marks and try to do the smallest bit of them. A great tip for removing the blue marks, mix 1 heaping teaspoon of baking soda to one cup of water. Put in a spray bottle and marks disappear, forever! At least I’ve had no reappearing marks since I’ve used this method!
I usually don’t have a big plan for these pieces until I begin them. I let them ‘talk’ to me while I stitch and they usually SCREAM at some point! 😉
I use my rulers for all straight lines. The longer one is great for ditch stitching and long runs and then the smaller, Palm ruler, is super for short lengths.
The maker on this piece did some luscious embroidery!
I use these notched rulers for guiding me around the embroidery.
Viola’! Another great finish! I adore these pieces and hope you’ve enjoyed the beauty and re-purpose also!
Comments
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Janice Holton
January 26, 2018
This stitchery is already scrumptious and your quilting just makes it out of this world! Love seeing these repurposed hand made items. I’m sure I’ve already asked you this before, but could you remind me what kind of batting you use on these? Do you use two battings? Maybe if I ask you enough times, I’ll finally remember!
Kelly Cline
January 27, 2018
Hi Janice, I use 2 layers of Hobbs batting, 80/20 on the bottom and 100% wool over the top. Thanks!
Sarah Lynn Jackson
January 26, 2018
Sooo beautiful. Must find some vintage pieces and try this, soon!
Kelly Cline
January 27, 2018
Thanks Sarah!
Marti
January 26, 2018
That is absolutely stunning
Kelly
January 28, 2018
Thanks Marti!
Toddy Sumsky
January 26, 2018
I can not begin to tell you how wonderful your work is. I have been gifted with some very lovely linens and hope to one day be able to dress them up a little.
Kelly
January 28, 2018
Thanks Toddy, just dig in!!
Heulwen
January 26, 2018
Ahhhh, sweet memories indeed! I was very interested in your comment about the unfinished area – I have some embroidered place mats that I hope to applique onto a quilt at some point and they have a few small unfinished areas. After much soulsearching, I’ve decided to leave them “as-is”, rather than trying to fill in the missing embroidery myself. I was somewhat reassured that you seem to have made a similar decision with this piece!
Kelly
January 28, 2018
Good for you! I don’t think it will be noticed at all.
Susan
January 26, 2018
That is very beautiful–both the quilting and the original embroidery. I am sure the maker would love what you have done. It is so much better than seeing the original piece in a garage sale somewhere.
Kelly
January 28, 2018
Thanks Susan!
Mrs. Plum
January 26, 2018
Luscious embroidery AND luscious quilting! Thanks for sharing.
Kelly Cline
January 27, 2018
Thank you!
Susan
January 26, 2018
A question about the instructions on removing the blue marks from a water soluble pen. You say to mix 1 teaspoon of heating soda. What is heating soda? I have never heard of it, but would sure like to use something I know would remove those marks forever.
Kelly
January 28, 2018
HAHA, well look what happens when you don’t proofread well!!! HEAPING, so sorry!!!
Brenda/SBD Embroidery & Quilting
January 26, 2018
Kelly, what a beautiful job! This piece is absolutely stunning, and I think the “missing” embroidery adds something very special. But you are right, the embroiderer would be mortified if she/he knew of the missed stitches! This is absolutely breathtaking! Thanks for sharing your wonderful talent! I too would love to know what type batting you use.
Kelly
January 28, 2018
Thanks Brenda, I love leaving it unstitched! I use Hobbs exclusively!
Queen of Fifty Cents
January 26, 2018
I swoon!
Kelly
January 28, 2018
Thanks Queen! 😉
Becky
January 26, 2018
So beautiful all finished! I’m curious as to the spot that was missed. Did you fix it? If so how?
Kelly Cline
January 27, 2018
Hi Becky! I didn’t fix it! Most of the time, I respect the maker’s work and leave it as I find it. I like to see her ‘under workings’ on this one too!
Susan
January 26, 2018
Absolutely gorgeous! Love those old pieces. Where do you find them?
Kelly Cline
January 27, 2018
Thanks Susan! Most of the time, crumpled up in an antique store, sometimes on the internet, garage sales, estate sales. LOTS of time hunting, which is part of the fun!
Debbie H
January 27, 2018
Love the old linens!
Thanks for the info about batting use. What stitch length is used?
Kelly
January 28, 2018
Thanks Debbie, 15 SPI.
Ann Hillman Lamy
January 27, 2018
Makes me DROOL with delight, Kelly. Just beautiful. xo
Kelly
January 28, 2018
Thanks Ann! xo
Judy B
January 27, 2018
Every time I visit your blog, I am blown away by the quilting on the vintage linens. I am just speechless!
Kelly
January 28, 2018
Thanks Judy!
Candace Kerr
January 28, 2018
This is absolutely Gorgeuos! I didn’t know you could quilt on linen.
Kelly
January 28, 2018
Thanks Candace, you can quilt on almost anything! 🙂
Eileen
January 29, 2018
Are they washable? Will the colors run?
Kelly
January 31, 2018
Non of these types of pieces will be washed, they become art pieces 😉
Jeannie
January 31, 2018
Fabulous, thank you for sharing.
Angela Hall
February 2, 2018
I like the color combination you took. Purple is my favorite.
Kelly
February 2, 2018
Thanks Angela!
Julie Beard
February 8, 2018
Simply divine!
Melissa Hollenbeck
February 16, 2019
I’m very happy I saw your post on FB this am. I have about 5 of these linens that I bought at a garage sale and have been wondering what to do with them. I am now inspired!!
Kelly
February 17, 2019
Lucky you, great Melissa!
Gwendy Burtz
February 16, 2019
What stunning pieces you have found!!! I have embroidered for years, but the silk thread is new to me. I am certainly going to buy some! Your work adds the perfect amount of dimension…what a work of art!!! Do you sell them on your website?
Kelly
February 17, 2019
Thanks Gwendy. No, I’ve never sold any and probably won’t. They’ve become a collection that I hope to tour around one day!