Happiness is....

Pillowcases I purchased from a antique shop recently.

Happiness is....freshly laundered Linens (embroidered, of course!).

Soaked, washed, spritzed with lavender water and pressed with a very hot iron!

I love the sweet flowers on these linens.  My favorite color combination!

This week has been way too busy for the likes of me!  And I found myself unable to be productive because of all the hurry I needed to do.  So I needed an escape...

For me, that was pressing Pillowcases!  Yes, you heard me right. Ironing! (don't judge)  There is something satisfying to me about putting a hot iron to fabric.  The clean smell that wafts up to me.  The ease with which I can change a rumpled, untidy  fabric into a smooth, orderly surface.  It's one area of my life that I can always feel empowered.

"In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength."

Isaiah 30:15

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All Designs Are Copyright Protected copyright 2011 Jeannie Baumeister

White Wednesday - Vintage Pillowcase

This pillowcase is all Eyelets, Satin Stitch, Cutwork and Scallops.

It is no secret that I love old Pillowcases!

And I love to iron them.  And I love to use them.

Center embroidery design on my Vintage Pillowcase.

Beautifully worked Satin Stitch.

I love this flower.  The center is an Eyelet.  Around it are stitched  six Satin Stitch Dots.

The Cutwork is also accented with Satin Stitch Dots.

And the Hem is amazing to me.  I love the different large scallops.

And the smaller scallops within the scallops!

With an eyelet worked on the edge of this one.

Lovely  stitches are a constant pleasure to me!

This is my White Wednesday post with Faded Charm!

All Designs Are Copyright Protected copyright 2011 Jeannie Baumeister

White Wednesday - Pretty Pillowcases to Make

I made these Pillowcases for my sister.  She lives up in the Cold, Cold North country so I used Flannel Fabric.  But not just any flannel.  This is Cashmere Flannel which is slightly finer than the regular kind.

Pretty, but very functional and sturdy.

I used a Cotton Lace which I call Pillowcase Lace.  This is some old, old lace I have had for years.

But Pillowcase lace is available.

Added a bit of embroidery.  

I used three strands of floss because it will need to withstand repeated washings.

This is what I did:

Seam allowances are 1/4"

1. Cashmere Flannel is about 60" wide so I cut 21" down the selvage. Basicly, you cut the width, fold right sided together and stitch the sides to make a Pillow case.

I used a ruler to mark the fabric.  And  a Blue Wash Out fabric marker.

2.  I embellished the front of the pillowcases but not the back.  I sewed two pieces of lace to the fabric.   Lower lace is------" from the raw edge of the fabric.  I left a space of 3/4" between them and sewed the  second piece of lace to the fabric.  I used a machine zig zag stitch to attach the lace and DMC#50 cotton thread.

3.  Then I folded the fabric RIGHT sides together and stitched one side seam.  Then serged the seam to finish the raw edges and reinforce it. And pressed the seam to the back.  Now I have the Front and Back sewn together at one side seam.

4.  I serged the pillowcase opening (front and back) and then attached the Lace Edging on top of the serged edge using the Zig Zag stitch.   

5.  I stitched the remaining side seam and serged the seam to finish like I did on the first side seam.

Easy Peasy!

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All Designs Are Copyright Protected copyright 2011 Jeannie Baumeister

How To Make Cute Pillowcases For Grandchildren!

I promised to give you measurements for the pillowcases I made my Grandchildren  for Christmas.

You can see that each Pillowcase had two pieces of fabric.  The large pillowcase fabric  and the narrower Hem fabric.  The hem can be made of any cute fabric.   But the pillowcase needs to be soft so sweet dreams can be had!

Fits Standard Pillow. 

Read all the directions before beginning!

1.  For 45" wide fabric.  Measure pillowcase fabric down along the selvage 28" and cut.  Cut off the selvages on both sides.     

Pillowcase fabric should measure - 28" X 42".

Contrast Pillowcase hem  should measure - 7 1/2" X 42"

2.  Fold Contrast fabric in half with wrong sides together so it will now measure 3 3/4"X42". Press.  You can baste the folded Contrast fabric together along the raw edge to keep it from shifting.

3.  Sew Contrast hem to Pillowcase fabric, right sides together and raw edges even.  Use 1/4" seam.  

Stitching Contrast Hem to Pillowcase fabric.

Serge raw edges or overcast on Sewing Machine. 

Picture shows wrong side of Pillowcase with seam allowance pressed toward Pillowcase and Contrast Hem pressed away.

4.  Turn seam allowance to inside so Contrast Hem is flat. press.

Cute Ric Rac covers the seam.

5.  Sew Cute trim right over the seam on the right side. 

 I try to stitch a tad above the seam line so the inside  seam allowance will be held in place.  

 Cute Ric Rac is from It's Sew Heavenly.

6.  Fold Pillowcase in half,right sides together and raw edges even.  Match the lower hem, the seam line, the top and and all raw edges.  Stitch in 1/4" seam  along the side of the pillowcase and serge seam to finish.

When stitched, you will have only one long seam on one side of the Pillowcase .  You will have the Contrast hem at the bottom (which is open to put the pillow in)  and an opening at the top.

7.  Now all you have to do is stitch the opening at the top of the pillowcase and serge to finish raw edges.

Press the seams and turn Pillowcase right side out.  I also stitch down the inside seam allowance that is along the contrast hem, just to neaten it.  But this is not necessary.

Sorry I didn't take more pictures!

This is an easy project and good for children to learn to sew!!

All Designs Are Copyright Protected copyright 2011 Jeannie Baumeister

I Want These Pillowcases!

Photo from Cabin and Cottage.

I just want to jump on this bed and bury my head in these soft beautiful Pillowcases!

I am going to make me some!!

And I will post "how to" when I do it.

And I haven't forgotten that I need to give you measurements for the Pillowcases I made my Grandchildren for Christmas!!

I found this picture on this wonderful Blog called Cabin and Cottage!

All Designs Are Copyright Protected copyright 2011 Jeannie Baumeister

My Daughter.

My Christmas present.  From my Daughter.

I love pretty embroidered pillowcases on my bed!

My Daughter has three children and a job and a husband and is very busy. 

 And I didn't know she even embroidered!

And she made these for me.

I know the gift of time because I sew.  And it touched my heart like no other gift could have.

I was completely surprised!  I am still overwhelmed.

Today , they will go on my bed!

I should have known she had such a gift.  She stitched this sampler when she was just a little girl.

All Designs Are Copyright Protected copyright 2010 Jeannie Baumeister