Hand Me Downs: Doiles and Embroidered Lovelies

I just had to share one of my absolute favorite gifts of all time, from my mommy: a pile of vintage doiles and embroidered pieces that my great grandmothers had made. I wish I would have taken a photo of the package before I opened it, as she had wrapped them so nicely in one of the tea towels, with an embroidered pink H (her maiden name was Holmes) on top and a sprig of rosemary tucked in the string. The details on these pieces are incredible and are really inspiring me to get out my hoops and get to work. I was given a great book from my mom last Christmas called Embroidered Effects by Jenny Hart, that has so many great ideas and patterns to follow. There is even one that takes a photograph and uses it to embroider someone dear's face (I know what everyone is getting for their holiday gifts next year, shhh.) When I finally finish a piece I will share, as it is on my list of things to do this year.
-Twill

DIY: Repurposed Wee One's Bib

 It is getting down to the wire, and I am still working on handmade gifts. That is the problem with making things yourself, it is easy to just go buy something, but it takes a lot of time to make things. This is one that I just made over the weekend for the plethora of friends who recently popped out their little wee ones.

Materials:
Terry cloth (can be thrifted towels)
Vintage fabric, thrifted linens or a pattern you like
Snap closures, I love the little pearly ones
A hammer
Sewing machine
Scissors

Cut out in terry cloth a shape that you like (I used an already made bib as a template)

Then fold it over and place it on a folded over side of your fabric, cut that out. 

Lay the pieces together and attach with stick pins

Then sew it together and cut off any extra bits.

Hammer the snaps on to the ends
Then wash the bib, because terry cloth sheds like a hairy dog. You are done!

-Ladybird

Vintage Inspired: i-Vintage Tech Gift

Nerd alert! I lost my phone last week, and since my old one was getting pretty shabby, I opted for the ubiquitous iphone. Yes I am now living the i-life. At the store, the case selection was grim, so I came home and immediately started a search for vintage inspired/adorable iphone cases.

These would be great gifts for the i-lover in your life, but how to choose? From London floral to Paris unmentionables, soft leather, hard bamboo and repurposed vintage fabrics, choices abound!

Repurposed Vintage Fabrics, Yay!

 

Big Bad Wolf

Floral Details

Cute and Sustainable!

Darling Bird

Paris, Je T'Aime

1/2/3/4/5/6

-Ladybird

DIY: Reusable Gift Bags

I cringe at the thought of all the waste that goes into the gift giving holidays, from the plastic bags you get to carry your purchases home in, to the plastic or paper encasing your gift, and then the wrapping paper and bows and ribbons. I am still one for style, but lets try to do it in a more eco-friendly way! First, just say no to plastic bags, you can find so many cute options for a reusable grocery bag or shopping bag, there is really no excuse. Second, buy re-used or local gifts, not only does it cut down on the gas needed for transportation, but also will help your local mom and pop shop. Next, find fun solutions to wrapping gifts.

This year, I decided to make drawstring gift bags. They are so cute that they become part of the gift.

What you need:
Vintage bed sheets or fabric of your liking
A sewing machine
Scissors
Thrifted string or ribbon
A safety pin


First, cut out a rectangle of fabric, using the top edge of the bed sheets (this part is usually already folded over, making it perfect for threading the drawstring!)

Next, with the reverse side facing out, fold the fabric so the two cut edges touch. Sew these together.


















Then, turn the seem that you just made so it is in the middle of the now tube of fabric, lay flat and sew up the bottom, it creates a T.

Reverse the fabric and cut two small slits, one on each side of the middle seem, making sure not to go through both pieces of fabric, as you just want to cut the top layer. Then attach the safety pin to the ribbon and thread the ribbon through one hole and out the other. Cut off the extra ribbon.














You are finished!

Make them yourself or come to Mighty Swell where we will have them on sale! Have fun greening your holidays!

- Ladybird

The Happenings: Black Friday

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Black Friday is tomorrow. So in honor of the biggest shopping day, I am giving my top five favorite local shops for reused, vintage, repurposed and handmade gifts! Of course you can always make things yourself and stay warm and cozy at home!

5. Hunt & Gather - This adorable shop is full of great housewares, from decorations and pillows to tables and chairs. Every nook has something surprising.

 4. Electric Fetus- Great record shop that carries a variety of local bands. You are sure to find some amazing music. Bonus, they are having a 20% off "Black Friday" sale!

3. Crafty Planet- I often go in this shop just to look at the beautiful fabrics. For that crafty person, the gift of a sewing class is just the thing!

2. The Wild Rumpus- Local bookstore, dedicated to kids, is the perfect place to pick up that children's classic to read with a young person in your life.

1. Rewind! - One of my all time favorite Minneapolis vintage clothing shops, they are always stocked full to the brim, and I never leave without dropping a large sum of money. Their accessories are incredible, the perfect place to find a gift for that special someone. . . or to re-vamp your own wardrobe for the Holiday season.

Of course, if you can wait a few weeks check out the Mighty Swell sale! We will have tons of gifts and party clothes, a little something for everyone.




Happy crafting, shopping, and thrifting!

- Ladybird