This is what I have been working on the last week, lampshades for a woman that asked me to make a total of five for her before my daughter’s wedding. She was in no hurry, but after I recovered sufficiently from all the wedding sewing, I felt compelled to get these finished as soon as I could manage. Now I have other creative ideas that I would like to explore that will focus on clothing.
The last several months I have been cleaning my Victorian whites so that I might use them for some summer clothing projects. I never tire of looking at them hanging close by. They always give me inspiration and lots of ideas as I busy myself with other things. Soon I will be reaping the benefits of these dreams.
Instead of the lace vest, I have decided to make a blouse using a lighter weight linen and covering it with bits and pieces and strips of lace. This is my project for the next few weeks. I intend to hand-sew all the lace so it will be a slow project.
The pattern is so nice. It will look wonderful in the linen. But I must admit my eye stayed with the white lovelies hanging…I love those airy, light, floaty sort of things. I will look forward to seeing what you create with them.
Both of those shades look very nice and extremely well made. I’m sure that is not an easy task.
Impressive!
The shades are easy, but tedious. I think these will be my last for some time!
Oooo… pretty! Looking forward to seeing this project.
I am in a very feminine frame of mind these days. No sure why, but it feels right and good.
Oh, I am playing hooky from my “arduous” spring cleaning to jump in and say I am so glad you are back with lovely projects coming up, bright lampshades, frothy white raiments, and a lacy blouse. Very spring! And I hope to be back posting and visiting blogs in a week or so myself. xo Kari
I am enjoying your sparks! Great job to have finished your ceiling fans. That is a job I would not enjoy, a necessary chore I suppose.
Slow projects are good, they are so soothing.
I’m looking forward to what you are going to do with these whites?
XXXm
I am thinking of redoing them to make blouses and maybe flounces under a skirt. Not sure. I also have a beautiful lined duster I want to re-make to fit me. There is nothing better than old linen. I find it so romantic.
Don’t you love how pushing through a creation brings other ideas forward?
The lampshades are quite wonderful and show so much skill. I like the idea of decorating a lightweight linen with you lovely lace.
Lovely whites…do you wear them? I think the blouse sounds like a wonderful project and I am sure it will be beautiful…hand sewing the lace will make it even more special.
The linen & lace blouse is sure to be beautiful, and all those gorgeous antique whites will be wonderful to wear for the Spring & Summer with an adjustment here and a bit of up-cylcling there! I love the idea of making flounces to go under a skirt, so feminine and fresh. I think I may borrow your clever deas as inspiration to convert a few Edwardian white underskirts I have into floaty summer skirts.
The lamps are gorgeous, lucky lady who receives them and I can’t wait to see the blouse! Hope you are well!
Your workmanship is so fine…the lampshades are beautiful! I love the white petticoats…I’m looking forward to seeing the lace blouse. I know it will be gorgeous!
Stella xx
The Victorian garments are lovely!
I love the lace petticoats and slips made then.
Glad you are back <3
The lampshades are beautiful…I love toiles.
old linens and laces are so beautiful. after looking at the expertly done lampshades, i think that whatever you decide to make will be very, very lovely.
…. I haven’t visited much on blogs this week and last but just this morning I got caught up with you and your’s……always inspiring. and looking forward to seeing your summer whites ……
I love the photo of the victorian whites! I’m curious if you have any tips to share on proper cleaning methods? I have a lightweight cotton dress that was my Grandmother’s, and it gets dingy… I probably need to clean it and store it properly. Would you share your methods?
Someone gave me some advice for cleaning Victorian whites some time ago, but I cannot recall who. However, the method truly works to whiten these. Buy that plastic tub of Oxi-clean that is sold in the grocery store and dissolve one scoop in hot water in a dish tub. Add the piece and soak for two to three days in this mixture. No need to refresh water. This is the only method I know that has worked for me. Let me know how it goes!
I agree Phyllis, oxy wash is amazing stuff. I have transformed some really awful looking linens almost to their former glory using it! I hope you have a wonderfully peaceful Easter xx