bearshop88

Mining my vintage craft and sewing pattern book collection resulted in this neat smocking tutorial find.  This wonderful tutorial explains how to prepare your fabric for smocking without the need of a smocking pleater or iron on transfers. In addition, there is an explanation of how to modify your pattern for smocking  and a diagram of several smocking stitches.  Loads of information in just a few short pages! Nice information on how to modify your pattern to allow for smocked gathers: How to create the gathers using your sewing machine: Information and diagram of a few smocking stitches: I love the can do attitude of this author.  She shows you how to tackle a project that looks complicated by breaking it down into manageable steps using tools you already have on hand.  The result?  An adorable little girl's dress.  And these techniques could be used on any article of clothing -- a special accent on a blouse  or on a lovely nightgown  f...

These adorable baby pillow filet crochet patterns come from a vintage 1920 pattern book devoted to baby and small children's clothing and accessories.  These lovely pillows would be beautiful in the nursery, maybe used for back support for mom in a rocking chair or as a boudoir pillow. Butterfly filet pattern: Duck filet pattern: Bunny rabbit filet pattern: Instructions for all three pillows: The lace edging for the duck pillow is at the bottom of this illustration: You could also adapt these patterns to other uses such as for a yoke to a pretty little dress -- the butterfly or roses would be so pretty for that.   And naturally, as with other filet crochet patterns, these images can be worked in cross stitch too.   Have fun stitching up something delightful with these beautiful vintage patterns!

Today I have the animal filet crochet or cross stitch patterns that I mentioned previously.  These designs are also from the vintage 1920 pattern book that the last patterns came from.  These little guys were originally designed for a baby coverlet but could be used for anything.   The instructions from the book say size 50 or 60 thread with a number 12 steel crochet hook.  Each grid gives an approximate finished size as well as how many meshes or squares are involved. This chicken design would look terrific cross stitched onto a kitchen towel: This would be so cute in a baby's room! Imagine this little fellow cross stitched onto a Christmas stocking: Stork for a baby shower: A bunny for Easter: Make this in orange and black for a Halloween candy dish towel: Another design that speaks kitchen to me:   Longer motifs for crocheted pillowcase edgings or towels.  They could be cross stitched for simple samplers too for baby's room.   The book offers these...

I was looking through several of my vintage pattern books today looking for something to share when I found these little treasures in a crochet book dated 1920.  Too cute!  The first two patterns call for size 50 or 60 crochet thread but you can work them in any size you'd like.  These patterns can be used for cross stitch as well.  A nice little cross stitch sampler for a baby's room would be one option. This is the pattern that initially caught my eye, this bunny crochet pattern for a child's towel.  This would be sweet as a crocheted edging for a crib sheet or made into a cross stitched sampler.  Monotoned cross stitch can be very beautiful.  Here are the instructions as they were originally printed: You can print out both sides and tape them together for easier reading: The book illustration of a finished toddler towel: The little book I took these patterns from has bunches of treasures so stay tuned!

It's the end of September and there's a chill in the air.  Cold weather means bundling up, especially for little ones. These two vintage crochet patterns fit the bill perfectly!  They are as adorable now as they were "back in the day" and will stitch up very quickly.  The first, a toque, would be perfect for a boy or girl and is super easy to make. The second vintage crochet pattern is for a bonnet and it too would be perfect for either a boy or a girl.  In fact, because it ties with a ribbon at the chin, it would probably be preferable for a younger baby because the ribbon will help it stay in place. Both the cap and bonnet can be made in various color schemes to match jackets and coats.  And, with the holidays coming up, these would also make lovely gifts.  I'm thinking of some lucky nieces and nephews this Christmas! I'm so pleased to share these free vintage crochet patterns from my vintage pattern book collection -- enjoy and happy stitching!

And here's the free Scottie dog pattern that was promised for my fellow knitters.  This vintage knitting pattern comes from a different pattern book in my collection but it's just as adorable as the kitty cat pattern, if not cuter.  Love the looks of this softie! The Scottie dog pattern was featured with this toddler's knit dress.  This photo gives you an idea of the size of the dog when finished.  This dress was too sweet to not include so I've added the pattern here as well: Baby Dress Number 374, size 2 Two knit patterns today instead of one!  The dress is beautiful and what a treasure it would be to create both for a special little girl for a holiday gift or pretty birthday party dress.

It's been a long, difficult summer but now autumn is here with it's cool air, comforting familiarity and gentle dormancy.... Today we offer this cute kitten pattern for those of you who love to crochet.  Christmas is just around the corner and this would make a nice gift for your special little one.  It looks easy enough to make several fairly quickly for all of your favorite kiddos! Enjoy this free kitten crochet pattern, I'd love to see your handy work!  Tomorrow's feature pattern with be a Scottie dog for the knitters out there!

Today I'll be posting a couple of free vintage patterns, since it's been quite some time since my last post.  The first one is this adorable crochet pattern for your favorite little girl.  This free vintage crochet pattern came from the 1944 edition of "Crochet for Small Fry Dresses Book No. 211."  This is the cover pattern entitled "Daddy's Pal." Another picture of the little cutie pie!  It looks like this dress would come together quickly and would be a great addition for summer.  There are other dress patterns from this wonderful vintage crochet book and I'll be adding more free patterns before long!