If you’ve checked out Busy Being Jennifer before, then chances are you already know about my insane love for vintage sheet quilts. And when I say insane, I mean like my-vintage-sheet-collection-has-taken-over-the-living-room kind of insane *insert long-suffering husband here* I just got a brand new (to me) cupboard so that I can start organizing some of the hoard like I promised I would earlier in the year… in the mean time I’m sharing some tips and tricks for making your own vintage sheet quilts and some of my absolute favorite vintage sheet quilt creations from around the internet!
Tips and Tricks if you’re in the mood to tackle making your own Vintage Sheet Quilt:
Wash the sheets as you collect them. This will make it easier to prep your vintage sheet fabrics when its time to cut them. I like to wash sheets with hot water, using detergent and Oxi-clean. Then I dry them on high heat for 45 minutes. The hot water and hot dry simply insure that they are nice and clean!
Store your sheets away from direct sunlight. Chances are the sheet you scored is already faded a bit from use. Avoid sunlight damage and keep your collection tucked away until you’re ready to use it.
When it comes time to iron and cut your fabrics, I Highly recommended using spray starch, especially on the thinner sheets. The starch will help add stability and make cutting the right size and shape easier.
Sew with a wider seam allowance. I typically sew with a 3/8th inch seam allowance for vintage sheet quilts. This usually means that I have to do a little extra math if its not a straight forward patchwork quilt, but the long term results are worth a little bit of calculating. Some vintage sheets are more prone to fraying, using a wider seam allowance will help keep that from helping and ensure long term quilt use.
Cut with pinking shears when ever possible. For the same reason, you want to use a wider seam allowance, you want to cut with your vintage sheet fabric with pinking shears.
Also, Vintage sheets can slip and slide quite a bit, so be sure to use lots of pins and a fresh sharp needle.
Now, Some of my current favorite vintage sheet quilts…
1. Sparkling Cider Vintage Sheet Quilt from In Color Order
2. Large Patchwork Vintage Sheet Quilt from Sew She Sews
3. Crazy 9 patch Vintage Sheet Quilt from TwinFibers via Flickr
4. Half Square Triangle Vintage Sheet Quilt from Patch and I
5. Yellow “For the Love of Patchwork” Vintage Sheet Quilt from Sophia’s Sundries
6. Bloom and Grow Vintage Sheet Quilt from A Crafty Fox
7. Purples and Greens Sheet Quilt via Flickr
8. Spring Vintage Sheet Quilt from Hideaway Girl
I’m planning a triangle vintage sheet quilt just for me this summer 🙂 But in the mean time you can check out the Simply Vintage Vintage Sheet Quilt and the Vintage Sheet Hexi Baby Quilt I’ve made recently!
What do you think of vintage sheet quilts? Would you want to curl up under one on a cool spring morning or around a campfire one summer night? Oh or a picnic? These quilts are great for anything!
Great tips! And gorgeous quilts! I love the vintage sheet quilts.
Those are so beautiful! THanks for this post!
Gorgeous–and I love that every quilt will be so unique since the sheets are! I envy your sewing skills 🙂
Oh my word they are gorgeous! I just might come obsessed, too! 🙂
I love that idea! I have never thought of using vintage sheets. I have something new to yard sale hunt for!
wow i love all these quilts, yes i would love3 to cuddle up under one of these , i also use vintage sheets whenever i can find them xx
I love these quilts. I need to start one. Been meaning to forever. What would you say is the easiest pattern to start with?
The easiest by far would be a large square patchwork quilt. That way you only have to sew straight lines! The Simply Vintage Quilt I made earlier this year was made up of 12.5 inch blocks which meant that sewing the top only took me an hour or so 🙂
Those are beautiful! Thanks for the tips!
I wish I could quilt because these look gorgeous. I'd love to be able to make a blanket or two for my house 🙂
I love the colors in these!