Simple Gifts From Vintage Linens

 Sweet simple gifts are easily made from vintage linens (not being used otherwise!). Those unused dresser scarves made great bags for shoe storage when traveling, ...

or laundry bags, or small bags for misc. goods.

I can tell you from experience that opening up your luggage on the other end of a trip and finding something like this is a welcome sight. 

Of course these could also be used as gift bags, or given as a set of gift bags.  I've found numerous uses for mine.  Hostess gift?  Yes please.

The ties have been made with cashmere yarn, t-shirt yarn, and ribbon. 

Most of these bags are made with minimal sewing with just a few straight lines of stitches. If you have been wondering what to do with (non precious) family linens perhaps these will inspire.

I hope you are well, healthy, happy or getting the support you need to deal with life's inevitable ups and downs.  

Michelle

P. S. to see more gift ideas and other upcycling tips you can enroll in my free upcycle sewing tips class:

https://paganoonoo-upcycle-sewing.teachable.com/courses

Upcycled Duster Made From Men’s Dress Shirts

 #duster, #cottagecore, #grandmacore, #cowgirlstyle, #prairiestyle

Recently I used my Paganoonoo Michelle upcycle sewing tutorial to make a duster entirely out of men's dress shirts. No pattern needed, just cut up the shirts and reassemble according to the instructions  

I’d originally made it as a dress. With a few changes and paired with my overalls it became a duster.    

It had turned out too long in the front, so I ruched the front section even with the back hem.  I liked the effect, but now my knees showed and I prefer a longer garment..

I added some vintage lace that was donated by friend, yards and yards of it. About 2" long, it added just what I needed.  I had cut the sleeves down earlier and they were awkward - not short but not ¾ length.  I added lace to the sleeves as well to solve the problem and tie in the hemline.

The best part of this design is the very long pockets made from inverted sleeves.

* BTW the lace had become discolored and yellowed with age. A trick I learned is to soak it in Oxiclean overnight, starting with hot or boiling water.  Worked super well. Use Oxiclean sparingly as it can make the fabric brittle.  

I think this would look really great made in all chambray shirts so it look like a denim duster.

Get started making your own version today – purchase the PDF tutorial from the Paganoonoo Etsy store.

Suitable for intermediate sewists.

Happy Upcycling!

Michelle