*Open the fabric out widthwise and take the top upper selvage corner and fold diagonally across and down so the fabric edge overlaps the opposite selvage creating a very large triangle.
Smooth out any wrinkles as you create this large triangle
of fabric with both selvages together.
*Cut a straight line across under the lower edge of the triangle
across the remaining fabric ~ when opened out this will
make a 45″ x 45″ square of fabric.
{this will use up 1.25 yards of the total length of fabric}
The remaining fabric will be enough to make (10) napkins
measuring 9″ x 9″ square cut before sewing {use the selvages! They will be turned under and sewn so they won’t show}
or buy 2 yards and the fabric can be adjusted to
(6) 13.5″ x 13.5″ napkin squares before sewing.
A table set for a past Valentine’s Day.
Pressing and Sewing
*Fold under all four edges of each napkin once, then twice making “hospital corners” or mitered fabric at each corner.
Try to make very small turns to have as large a napkin once
fully sewn.
A seam roller really helps with this if you have that
attachment for your sewing machine.
*Sew from the topside with decorative stitches, if desired,
catching in all the edges and corners.
*Lace can be sewn and added afterwards to create
a larger napkin too and to change the look.
Go back and restitch by hand or machine as needed.
The Creative Christmas Link Party is hosted by Janet of Shabbyfufu and the the bloggers of Blogging 50. Please visit all of the talented bloggers below!
My Girl Scout Brownie troop around year 2000 hamming it up in their super cool flying cow bandanas!
Today’s postis all about things we all like to do and wear that’s fun for our kids and for grown-ups too and with summer coming up and this weekend being Memorial Day… Patriotism and good memories of loved ones and fun times is on my mind and were the inspiration for this perfect beginning of summer post. I’m talking about something that is a staple in everyone’s drawers and camping supplies ~ good for washing dishes on a campout to making a mini backpack to tie to a little pole ~ it’s those wonderfully versatile bandanas!
One of the first times our girls washed dishes. This was many of these girls first time camping. 🙂
Bandanasaregreatformanythings!
So today we are talking about the
wonderfully handy sometimes a hanky
but often utilitarian
bandana
and
some of the other fun things
for which
a bandana can be used:
1. Tying back one’s hair
The number one use for a bandana
(and probably always will be)
ever since these darlings
were invented
is to tie back one’s hair.
Always wonderful for keeping that hair
out of one’s eyes when the wind is blowing,
bandanas come in such a variety
of colors and patterns now, it’s just plain
fun to wear them.
Pick up a few for everyone in the family like we did back during our Scouting days and be “twins”
with your kids for the day!
Our Girl Scout troop had these cool
flying cow bandanas
my co-leaders and I found at
the local Army-Navy store
one day when we were picking up
GS badges and other items.
I think we gave them to the girls that
first year we were together.
They were something the girls could
wear together which helped
gel them together
as a group and it was part of their
color-coordinated unofficial uniform
for when we went on hiking trips
and for this
our first camping trip.
A spring breakfast tea using the trustworthy bandana!
2. Bandanas as Napkins
A while back I had a post sharing
these fun pink napkins used
in place of other napkins I’d
normally use.
Because bandanas are usually made out of
100% cotton
that makes them perfect for
cleaning up spills
or for
wiping one’s lips
when jam or BBQ sauce
gets all over.
I just think it’s fun to change up what we
think of as a napkin!
Guess I’ve always done that.
How about you?
What do you like to do for your napkins?
Have you sewn any of your own?
It’s super fun to create something
to coordinate with an upcoming
party’s theme!
I’ve used leftover fabric when making a
tablecloth to create tiny fingertip napkins.
Check out an old Valentine’s post where
I’d made matching napkins.
🙂
While I wasstarting to write this post
I got to thinking about
where and when were bandanas invented?
Turns out that they have officially
been around for over 200 years!
There’s a really cool article online about
“Bandana History” by BandanaShop.com
which talks about how bandanas
have been used as giveaways
promoting political figures
{George Washington being one of the first to be thus immortalized!}
and as a promotional tool for
that newfangled invention
“the talkies” ~ handkerchief bandanas
with Snow White and the seven dwarves
likenesses being one of the first
out there promoting children’s films.
I found the article fascinating
and I think
you will too!
Do follow the link over and check it out.
🙂
3. Bandanas Belts
Tie or braid several together to make
an impromptu belt to coordinate
with a summer outfit…
With the 4th of July coming up
it’d be fun to sport
redwhite and blue bandanas
woven together into a belt.
The belt I whipped up for the photos
above is just
*two bandanas laid on an angle
*fold each opposite point inward
then fold the bandana in on itself
making a long rectangle.
*Tie together in back with a granny or
square knot.
*Slip through belt loops and tie in front.
Easy peasy!
If you want a PatrioticBandanaBelt~
you’ll need six bandanas (two of each color}
to braid together.
*These can be folded as above
or
they can just be scrunched
and tied to its twin lengthwise
*tie the three colors together on one end
*then braid all of three long bandana “ropes”
at once.
*When braided, tie the three ends of the
three colors together.
*Slip through your waistbands
and knot around in front.
4.Bandana Dog
I saw this hot diggity dog of a bandana
idea and knew it had to be
featured here at French Ethereal…
;)’
I contactedMarci at Stone Cottage Adventures
and asked if I could use a couple of her stories.
She was delighted to have
a few of her bandana posts
featured!
The blog link above will take you
to a quick bandana star story
she just posted.
The pink headlines and I think the
Pinterest photos
will take you to her posts, too!
{the pink links for sure!}
Marci shared how to make this incredibly
cuddly cute dachshund
that she made for her granddaughter
out of just one bandana
per dog
plus a little from a coordinating color
for each of the sweet pup’s ears.
Naturally, she made several of these
hot dogs…
{pun totally intended!!!}
Stop on over to see the other cute dogs
she made.
I could totally see a 4th of July dog…
yep
{or is that “yelp!”}
to go with our theme.
;)‘
5. Sweet Dress for Your Baby
I also saw this darling baby dress over on
Stone Cottage Adventure’s blog
and knew it had to come on over, too ~ just check out how adorable Marci’s sweet granddaughter looks with her purple bow and matching purple bandana skirt!
Marci gives a whole tutorial on how to cut pieces of bandana to create the bow and then how to create the dress. Several other photos show this cutie modeling a couple of other outfits. She is quite the fashionista which is part of the title. An outfit for your baby or for a family member’s or friend’s new baby out of patrioticcolored bandanas could be just the ticket and a real crowd pleaser!
Happy Memorial Day thisweekend, Remembering the fallen… Barb 🙂 *The red is for the poppies… since 1919 when Memorial Day was called Armistice Day.
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This photo is a bit over-lightened but I need to lighten to share this quilt as this room is a bit dark.
When I first visited my friend Peggy
we took a tour around her lovely home
decorated with family antiques
and wonderful vintage
family photos and also these
soft and sentimental scripture quilts
she had sewn.
A friend of hers had made some and Peggy
had seen them and asked if she could
get a pattern to make
some scripture blocks.
These first squares ended up being the
beginnings of three quilts
she has made for her husband
and adult children.
More are on the way, too.
😉
I love how this room is decorated with many lifetimes of passed-down family heirlooms ~ taken with my old iPhone 5.
Quilts blocks based on biblical stories have been
made since women began making quilts
however
these more modern scripture quilts with
scripture quotes written in a
family members’ handwriting are
a relatively new idea.
I saved a number of biblical and scripture pieces out onto my
Pinterest Faith board
if you’d like to stop by there
and take a look.
Love the tea dyed quilt block to match the variegated cottons prints used for the rest of the quilt. This quilt was presented to Peggy’s husband Tony for his birthday one year.
These quilts are a nice way to keep family members
close especially when everyone lives are so busy
and many of us live far away
from our family
and hardly have time to get together
much except during the holidays.
These quilts also a wonderful way to remember
a family member who has “gone on home.
A fun idea is to have each family member
write out their favorite scripture verse
and sign his or her name along the
bottom edge above where
the seamline would be.
This could be a great thing to do over
Thanksgiving while the turkey is cooking
or at a family summer BBQ.
A station to set up in your backyard while
everyone is together celebrating.
Also, this idea could be easily adapted to
other types of handwritten quilts.
Be sure to sign your quilt when it is done
and this separate quilt block
looks lovely placed on the
back of a quilt.
Drawn “square” is the “cut out block.” The center horizontal and vertical axes are drawn first.
How to make a Scripture Quilt Block
Supplies needed
*parchment paper
*pencil
*ruler or straight edge
*markers to draw over pencil lines
*permanent marker in black or favorite color
to use for final handwritten block. *muslin washed and dried ~ cut to size of final quilt block(s) plus seam allowance.
Instructions
*Begin with cut squares from parchment paper
in the size you need for your quilt block plus 1/2″ around all four sides for the seam allowance. Also cut out actual muslin
*On your computer, type out your scripture verse(s).
*Print the verse onto regular computer paper
large enough with roughly 3/4″ intervals
between each drawn line.
{leaving about 1/2″ of open space between lines of words}
*Adjust your printing and reprint as needed making the spacing to your liking.
I used 1″ spacing on the photos above and that
was too much, so I re-drew the lines to half-inch spacing.That worked better.
3/4″ I think is what the ones which
Peggy made were measured.
When you create your own scripture quilt blocks,
play around with the computer font sizes. The above printout would need to be re-spaced on the computer accordingly. {see how it doesn’t quite fit?} This is just a template anyway and your handwriting can be adjusted as you create each scripture block. Play around with each one until each looks right to you.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from ourselves it is a gift from God —(9) not by works, so that no one can boast. ~ Ephesians 2: 8-9
Instructions continued
*Place the typed paper underneath the parchment paper that has had center lines drawn horizontally and vertically on them.
*Draw as many horizontal lines
above and below the first centered line ~
enough for your whole scripture quote.
*Align the typed sheet underneath the parchment paper adjusting the centers of each line until it looks centered. Tape down both papers as needed. *Write out your verses in a dark marker on the parchment.
*Lay out your thin muslin over top. If available, use a light board or projector underneath to light the words. If that’s not available? Press down firmly on the muslin to make the marker show through for copying. ***Practice writing out your verses on a scrap of muslin first using a fine-point permanent marker. 😉
Sew your scripture quilt blocks together with other lightweight cotton strips to create your quilt in whatever design you’ve chosen. Oh, and don’t forget to sign your beautiful quilt by placing a special quilt block with a heart-felt message on the back. Enjoy! Blessings to you, Barb 🙂
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I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Sleek modern outdoor furnishings for anyone who likes edgy and angular with just enough curves and sparkle to keep those who prefer more curves comfortable.
I knew the company had begun as a store
carrying antique and vintage
hardware for restoring old homes and
to use on furniture
but
Restoration Hardware has evolved
now carrying specialty furniture
for indoors and outside.
Walking into this room which leads into the garden, the wonderful earthy smell of leather is sooo inviting! Wouldn’t this be a lovely library and dining room in your own home?
I loved talking with the sales staff
about the shop and the furnishings within!
I found out that they are interior designers, too,
and they are there to help with your
room design needs
and will help you create
a curated lived-in look.
Here I was trying to capture the three chandeliers for you!
Sorry this is a bit dark ~ this is actually lightened up for you. Photos today were taken with my iPhone 6.
Restoration Hardware paired these two very
simply framed mirrors for a bathroom scene
set with a more ornate
old buffet turned into a lavatory cabinet.
Love it!
I also love the soft neutrals flowing through
all of their pieces ~ very masculine
but soft enough for that
feminine touch.
This too has been edited and lightened to see the cabinet’s detail. Love, love the marble top!
One final view of the back gardens…
sigh!
🙂
So what I came in for
In the form of just tons of old rusty crusty hardware and door knobs
though no longer found in the shops anymore are still available as beautiful reproductions online {I checked! ;). These shops are wonderful resources to find a classic piece to grace your home or garden ~ just ethereal!
(I was not compensated for any of this ~ just purely fun visiting!)
As always, feel free to share this and any other post.
If you like my style, please follow along… Thank you!