Mother's Day Gifts To Make - Pretty Covered Hangers

Pretty Covered Wire Hangers

Where would we be without our Moms? Our first memories are probably of none other than the woman who gave and did the most for us, loved us more than anyone else, and shaped our lives to help us become what we are today. Mom. Mother's Day should be every day but since Hallmark specified May 10th as the official day to celebrate our Mothers, let's make it even more special with a handmade gift. 

These easy to cover hangers are more than just a simple gift. Fabric covered hangers keep tops and dresses from slipping off. The fabric covering absorbs excess moisture and the thinness of the wire hangers allows for more compact storage in the closet. Cover those wire hangers (that dry cleaners send your clothes home with) with pretty scraps of fabric. Decorate with bits of ribbon, lace and silk flowers. A thoughtful, useful and environmentally friendly diy gift for mom. 

DOWNLOAD HERE.

Look for more Mothers' Day gifts to make in the next few weeks.

Free Pattern - Fabric Flowers to Make from Scraps

Easy to Make Fabric Flowers

Fabric flowers have long been used to decorate hats and bags or for boutonnieres for the tuxedo lapel. Indeed, the realism of some of the silk flowers available today will astonish you. No longer are we confined to carry fragile, just picked flowers in wedding bouquets that wilt before that lucky catch at the end of the evening.

Today's download has instructions to make a fabric flower for every month of the year. Using leftover bits of fabric you can make these as whimsical or realistic as you choose. Pictured above we have made an aster on the left from scraps of 3 layers each of two shades of blue dotted Swiss and  pale pink chiffon. The Chrysanthemum on the right is made of 10 layers of the same pale pink chiffon.

I used a spool of thread to trace the circles onto the scraps of fabric for the aster using tailors chalk.

I found this flower pattern in a 1940's embroidery transfer envelope. The directions are pretty straightforward and I was able to make a flower in just a few minutes.  Download the instructions HERE and get busy making pretty flowers for your Easter bonnet. Prints on two 8.5" x 11" sheets of paper.

Free Pattern - Pretty Book Marks are Easy to Make

Easy to Make Book Marks

Time to raid your scrap bag again. These easy to make book marks use up the smallest bits of felt and make some sweet little book marks for your favorite book worm. From the March 1954 issue of Workbasket. Download instructions HERE.

Stained Glass Trivets and Coasters - Easy to Make Holiday Gift Ideas - Free Pattern

Easy Glass and Poured Plaster Trivets or Coasters

Protect your tabletops from heat and spills with these festive stained glass trivets. Made of poured plaster of paris and pieces of colored glass, these easy to make trivets can be scaled down for coasters too. You choose the colors and shapes of the glass pieces as well as the design. Pour into the bottom of a half gallon carton for a square trivet. Keep the plaster white or paint with poster paint afterward or why not try adding food color to the plaster to color it before pouring. Stack half a dozen small coasters and tie with a pretty ribbon as a gift for the hostess this Thanksgiving or Christmas. The possibilities are endless. In a very large mold with poured concrete you can make decorative stepping stones for a pathway for your favorite gardener. Published in 1963 by the John Oster Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, maker of the original Osterizer. Download instructions HERE.

Free Pattern - Partridge in a Pear Tree Christmas Fiber Art Collage Pattern

Partridge in a Pear Tree Fiber Art Collage

The Partridge in a Pear Tree is the first gift from the classic folk song The Twelve Days of Christmas. Historians note that the Partridge may have been a common hen as "Banty Hens" are smaller and know to roost in low branching trees, such as juniper. Second in rank only to Five Gold Rings as an easily remembered verse, the Partridge in a Pear Tree ranks first in visual appeal. Imagine how an ornate old picture frame would get a new lease on life with this attractive fiber art picture made of felt or left over scraps of fabric depicting this well known Holiday theme. Scaled down in miniature, these would make lovely hand made Christmas greeting cards. Published by John Oster Manufacturing Co. 1963. Easy to make. Download directions HERE.

Free Pattern Every Day - Vintage Greeting Card Caddy

1968 Coats & Clark Card Caddy

As the Holiday cards begin to pour in from friends, family and well wishers, you will need a quick and easy organizing solution. This 1960's Coats & Clark card caddy is a quick-to-make card holder. It's simply a tube wrapped with festive colored string to hold cards with purchased or crocheted trim. Spin the tube to read the cards in full view. Download this retro holiday card holder pattern HERE.

Free Pattern Friday - Cross Stitch Gingham Motifs

Cross Stitch for Gingham Motifs

There are few things I treasure more than the cross stitched gingham aprons that have been handed down to me. They speak of another era and are a welcome image of calm and order. Cross stitch is perhaps the easiest form of embroidery and placing X's on gingham check is a fool proof form of embellishment. With these easy to follow charted designs you can transform all things gingham into heirlooms that will be cherished for generations. Download Cross Stitch Gingham Motifs and get started on your holiday gifts.

Free Pattern Friday - 1950's Santa Sock Doll

1950's Santa Sock Doll

With less than 3 months until Christmas, there is no time to lose. Make time for parties. Make time for family and friends. Make gifts for those you love. Tick, tick, tick... Gifts to wrap, the house to be decorated, cards to be mailed... and don't forget to take the kids to see Santa.  Tis the season to be jolly. Fa la la la la la la la la. Short on time? Make this cuddly Santa sock doll for holiday gifts or decor. Who wouldn't love a soft and hugable Santa doll. Download this printable pattern to make Santa from white tube socks. Dress him with red felt or velveteen. Pattern includes instructions and patterns for doll and clothes.

Free Pattern Friday - Covered Hangers

Wrights Covered Hangers

Covered hangers for your fine wearables are quick and easy to make with Wrights bias tape and spent nylon stockings. Download instructions HERE to transform your plain wire hangers into elegant, functional, decorative and useful additions to your closet. A fabulous DIY project for organizing your wardrobe. Great for gifts too!!
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Free Pattern Friday - Apothecary Jars

Wrights Gift & Bazaar Ideas

This 1950's Wrights advertising insert includes patterns for making a decorative tissue box cover and "How To" instructions to decorate apothecary jars. Download HERE.
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Free Pattern Friday - Purse Tissue Carrier

Purse Tissue Holder

Make this easy to sew tissue package cover with left over fabric scraps. For your purse carrying friends make it in satin. For your pocket stuffing mates, a plaid wool or flannel fits the bill. Great little gifts for sweetheart or, thinking ahead, stocking stuffer. Download directions HERE.
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Free Pattern Friday - Terry Guest Towels

Wrights Guest Towels

This week's pattern is another in the 1950's series from Wrights Bias Tape. Make these easy to embellish towels with either fish or butterfly motifs using Wrights Bias Tape. Download these easy to follow instructions HERE.
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Free Pattern Friday - Sunburst Apron

Wrights Sunburst Apron Pattern

Make this easy to sew sunburst hostess apron with the help of Wrights bias tape and cotton and organdy fabric. Download here for detailed instructions. Cocktails anyone?
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