Monday Morning Inspiration

Finally, the temperatures have taken an upward turn and I'm feeling the need to get out summer linens and maybe add a lacey touch to them.
This week is going to be a bit of an odyssey for me. On Wednesday afternoon, I'm flying down to Texas for a very whirlwind trip. Just about every moment will be packed. On Friday, I am driving back to my hometown and visiting the cemetery where my great-grandparents are buried. What has bothered me for quite some time is the fact that my great-grandmother's grave has never been marked with a tombstone. She was such a loving and caring lady. Sadly, she died when I was only 5 years old, but I have the the most wonderful of memories of her. On Sunday, she would  always have us over for a lunch that usually included fried chicken. To honor her memory, I've decided that a wrong should be righted and her grave should be marked. It will be an emotional day I'm sure, but a good day.
With my thoughts focused on what I'll be doing later this week, I've thought so much about my great-grandmother. I have the sweetest little handmade doll that belonged to her. I also have a number of doilies that she crocheted. I have doilies that my grandmother crocheted as well. For the most part, they sit in a box where they are only looked at from time to time. I'm sure that many of you have the same box sitting somewhere in your house as well. So what to do? I decided to take a look and see if there would be any ideas that would spark my interest and I found a number.
This was the first piece that caught my eye. What a spectacular piece.

 Maybe taking a round piece and mixing it with some yardage from an old tablecloth.

Cutting up pieces and mixing them linen. Perfect for summer.

This skirt was probably crocheted to be a skirt, but what a great idea for using different pieces together.

 How about taking a piece and using it as the back of a top?

Or repurposing a men's skirt?

 I love this idea, just a touch that turns this knit top into something a little more special.

   A round tablecloth into a skirt.

 Repurposing an old sweater with multiple pieces.

 How about dyeing the doilies to match and covering a dress?

This sweet lady made her wedding gown using doilies. You can read about it HERE. Now this is truly an heirloom gown.

For non clothing items, what a lovely way to use a piece and have a memory at the same time. Beautiful for a bedroom.

And if you truly have more than you know what to do with, cover a tree!!!! I don't think I could ever do this, but then I thought that if you were having a garden wedding, this might be a beautiful focal point in the garden. 

A friend will be going with me on Friday, which I am very grateful for. As I said, I know it will be a very emotional day, but a good day. It's good to honor the memories of those who loved us.

Have a lovely day!

Rhonda   

A Peek Inside My Collection

I received a message this morning from one of the editor's at Sew News and she said,

"Wow, your MTD post has been the most successful of ALL TIME."

So needless, to say, I am very honored and even more, humbled by your support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

A number of you commented about pieces I have in my collection and said that you would like to see. Now of course, seeing in person is the best, but since that's impossible, I thought that from time to time I would pull a piece out that I think is especially interesting and share it. The jacket that I'm sharing today is well over 100 years old and it is exquisite.

It's a beautiful piece of linen covered in handmade lace. Sadly, the true color did not come through as it is actually a lovely buttercup yellow rather than ivory. The lace is ivory except for the small taffeta pieces that are in the middle of the flowers.

The back.

 A close up of the stitching detail.

 The lace on the shoulder.

This is the best close up shot I could get of the lace. The lace is truly perfection.

The center back.

 Lace was even sewn under the arm.

The jacket is held together with hooks down the front.
Take note that as lovely as this jacket is, the stitching is not absolutely perfect.

 

It's lined with silk taffeta and it is disintegrating, so it really needs to be replaced. I think I know someone that could do that ;) The jacket is underlined and the lace was then sewn to both layers.

Vintage and antique garments and fabrics are becoming more and more difficult to find, but they are still out there, so always be sure to look if you visit a thrift store as you never know what treasure you may find.
I'll be back a little later with a link for Frabjous Couture's Me Made Monday post.