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Around the Block, August CKC

Wednesday 25 July 2012

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

 

8 comments:

  1. I like the last sheet, wouldn't it make a cute baby quilt for a little boy.
    Have a nice day!
    Mary

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Mary, for stopping by and for comment. I am coming over for a visit at your site.

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  2. Welcome aboard Sassy! Just collect what you like! There are no rules! I prefer 1960/1970s sheets, think they remind me of my childhood! You have a great collection already! The top and bottom ones are fab. Are you going to patchwork them? I just cut the worn sections away, I don't throw them, think I have an idea of what to do with the more worn bits will reveal in a few weeks. School summer holidays have put a serious dint in my Crafty Time! Ada :)

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    1. Just like scrapbooking; there are no rules. I agree, the brighter ones are more fetching. When I get a combination of coordinating ones, I will try a picnic blanket. Something like what Mrs. Teawagon does but a bit larger. Can`t wait to see what you come up with for the faded sections.

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  3. Helloooo! Just found you via Ada @ Vintage Sheet Addict (waves to Ada in the comment above ;) ).

    Aren't there some amazing designs out there on these old sheets. Dare I admit though that the only ancient sheets I have are white cotton ones destined for the dye pot. (I might blog about that soon.)

    Pleased to have met you and now I'm off to have a look around your bloggy abode :D

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    Replies
    1. Welcome Annie, Thanks for popping in and taking a snoop.

      Are those sheets going to be tie-tied. We used to do that to t-shirts in the `70`s.

      I`m coming over for a return visit, now.

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  4. Hi Sassy, nice to see your new passion is vintage sheets! oh my goodness it won't be long before you have piles of the lovely things. I guess they will all live in your new shed space? will it be a crafty space? love the blue bunting by the way and also lovely flowers photos. we are in the middle of a heatwave but the weather might break this evening with thundery showers!

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    Replies
    1. Hope things have cooled of for you with a shower or two and given all your plants a good drink. The garden shed is not a crafty place. It did however, make it possible for me to move all my garden decore and collections of seeds and tools out of the "man cave". It is a big girls play house. I nap in it. And I gaze fondly on all my pots and plaques.
      Crafting (scrapbook and sewing mostly) happens in my basement studio. It is a great place to hide during heat waves.

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