Those sheety people!

Yes I am one of them! Those sheety people. This is a totally new found passion. Collecting used (ahem, vintage) sheets. Odd it may be, but it makes so much sense, when you think about the yards and yards of fabric at a mere fraction of the cost of fabric off the bolt. And I have been "researching" sites that specialize in the collection and the up-cycling of  them. (Researching = lots of blog reading, googling, and generally having another cuppa before back to the real work at hand)

Found my first armful at Riddle Used Store in Athabasca, Alberta. Brought them home. Laundered and line dried. While inspecting my new found trove of treasure, I wondered things like:

What parameters should there be for this collection? Fabric content? Colors? Patterns? Every darn piece that I can get my paws on?

How does one decided if it is "vintage" or just used.?

What kinds of things can be done with these sheets?

What is Mr. Muddle going to say about my latest hoard, collection.

Some of the answers were found here, a photo on flikr and at All About Vintage Sheets by In Color Order

Found and joined two flikr groups to help navigate the warps and weaves and for general photographic inspiration. They are  Vintage Sheet Patchwork Swap and Vintage Bed Sheets and Pillowcases Repurposed.


And now with humility and enthusiasm I would like to present a catalog of the first collection. If you have any comments, pro or con, of advice for this novice sheeter, PLEASE leave me a remark. Much obliged for any advice. All measurements are approximates.

#1 Must be July 
no iron Percale; 50/50
Flat, 72x104 before hemming (says tag)
Stevens UTICA; J.P. Stevens & Co., USA

 This is my very favorite. Bright colours. VG to EX condition. Over sized poppies and daisies on a diagonal. I see aprons, cut on a bias for extra swish.
 *****



#2 Tuesday's Tulips
100% cotton, flannel
Flat, a bit shorter than #1 (more shrinkage over time due to fabric content?)
Made in Turkey

Broken in but even wear throughout. Good for backing a patchwork.
*****


#3 Cio Baby Blue
100% polyester. A brushed soft finish on top, silky under.
Flat, 65" x 99"
Made in China

The Italian cherubs and urns are so romantic. The light blue sub-print gives it dimension.

Excellent condition, nice drape. House dress (is there enough yardage?), bunting pennants (quick to dry)
 *****


#4 Perfectly Posied
50/50, Flat 90x95 
Made in UK
good to middlin' with fading in center and brighter edges.

Posies of pink and purple violets backed by a pink rope trellis. Quite light weight. Good for tenting making on a sunny day.
 *****

#5 Springtime plaid
50/50 Fitted queen
fair to middlin' with fading in center, light stains, brighter edges.
Made in China

 Diagonal Plaid in spring shades. It would be easy to cut the blue strip out for bias tape.
*****
#6 Drap House
50/50 Fitted Queen
Fair (good around sides) with rust stains
Cut and sewn in Canada with imported fabrics.
Haha, love the info on tags. Last time I checked, no one was picking cotton in Canada.

 

The colour combination of the blue, pink, green and grey is appealing.  Could see piecing it with monochromatic prints in those colours.
*****

#7 Mad About Plaid ver 1.0 (right side of photo)
50/50  Fitted Twin
Westpoint Stevens, USA
Excellent
Backing for a boys pieced blanket.

#8 Mad About Plaid Ver 1.1 (left side of photo)
100% slubbed cotton Pillow Case
Faded but lovely softness, almost like flannel
*****

#9 running out of names.....
50/50 Pillow case
Excellent

Lovely machine embroidered edge. Ready made apron trim.
*****
 
#10 (left) #11 (center)  & #12 (right)

Pillow cases
50/50

 #10 Texmade, Dominion Textile Inc, Canada
It has soft yellow stripes behind the flowers. The colours are very soft.

#11 The only truly "vintage" item found. All I can make out on the tag is Made in Canada. There is a 2" tear on both sides from something poking right through. It will make nice squares for piecing.

#12 Sears Made in Canada. Love the graphic line drawing of poppies on this one.
*****

#13 Yippee Ki-eh!
50/50 Fitted Toddler and case
The Bibb Company, Macon Geordia USA
copyright 1998 oliveira Brandwein Design, Inc
Excellent

This could work into a great barbeque apron for the grill master of the the chuck wagon.

One other item worth mentioning was a natural cotton, duvet cover from IKEA. Think it would be good for interlining a pieced blanket to support the more delicate fabric.

Well my sheety friends, there you have it. Having probably lost all my non-sheety friends by now; if not thanks for hanging out even though you may wonder if I am three sheets to the wind; the first foray into the world of vintage sheets. Will probably learn to be more discerning as I go. However, in my defense, I did know enough to leave the "very '80's" patterns and the brown patterns behind.

Thank you, in advance for any and all comments and suggestions.

S