Crocheting Edgings for Pillowcases

I used to pick up a lot of needlework projects at the thrift stores years before I retired thinking it would be nice to have a stash of things to work on when I retired. I used to find such good bargains especially at the D.A.V. (Disabled American Veterans) thrift store but then I guess in later years folks were buying up the things I was buying to sell on Ebay or Etsy because a lot of the crafty/vintage type items just sorted of disappeared. Six plus years into retirement that time to work on my bargains has come and I've been having fun pulling things out of a couple of boxes I've had stored away for quite awhile.  Lately I've been working on pillowcases -embroidering on some and adding crocheted edgings to some. I also have a box of crochet threads and some of those were picked up at the thrift stores as well.  For my edgings I've been using size 10 crochet cotton and a size 7 crochet hook. I was pleasantly surprised my eyes and hands still worked well enough to crochet those edgings. 

The set of two pillowcases was 45 cents. They are made of pillowcase tubing so no side seam on them. The bird motif was already done in ballpoint embroidery paint. I've never tried using that but it is surprising that even pretty close up it looks like it has been embroidered.   These look like they will need a good soak after I finish the edging but otherwise they are in good shape and of very nice fabric that feels like 100% cotton. 

Since last Sunday's blog post on pillowcases  I've finished the embroidery and crochet edgings on a set of stamped and hemstitched pillowcases with horses.  I used some variegated embroidery threads and then found some variegated crochet cotton in my stash to use for the edgings. 

To continue with the theme I added a crochet edge fence post pattern. 

After I finish the edging on the bird pillowcases the next one to get a crocheted edging is the one above - another 45 cent bargain.  Someone has already done the embroidery - an Autumn theme - and I have some variegated crochet cotton that will go nicely with the colors whomever did the embroidery used.   

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with all of these pillowcases when finished but if nothing else they might make a fun gift wrap for a quilt stuffed inside. 

And sew on...

Slow Sunday Stitching at Kathy's Quilts

 

Cut!

I really want to be outside working but it's been a little too warm outside the last couple of days and will continue for a few more. I've been clearing an area overrun with brambles and weeds because I want to prepare that area for planting wildflowers. 

So since it's even hot inside without air conditioning I've been standing in front of a fan at my cutting table and I've been cutting, cutting, cutting. 

One of the things I've been working on is a throw I've been calling Rose Petals. It started out as a project to use some 4.5 inch rose themed scraps as well as a variety of different pink #10 crochet cottons. I've been cutting a few squares at a time to work on and after those are finished with crochet trim I cut more. I wasn't sure how many squares I would actually get out of the scraps that were already cut at 4.5 inches.  When I last counted finished squares I had 87 "blocks".  So I cut more squares enough for 120 "blocks" total. I figured that would give a nice throw 10 x 12. Finished blocks are about five inches with the trim and I planned to add a crocheted border all around.  When I finished cutting all of those squares for 120 "blocks" I still had a lot of 4.5 inch scraps left. So, I cut enough for a layout 11 x 13 which equals 142 "blocks".   I now have everything cut and two squares sewn right sides together with a space left for turning right side out. 

Next step is to turn them right side out and sew the turning hole shut. Then I blanket stitch around the edges 16 stitches to a side and three in each corner. Then I crochet shell stitch trim all the way around. 

Now the problem is that I don't think I'll have enough crochet cotton.  I have to decide if I want to buy more or maybe use some white I have on hand. But I'm not even sure there's enough of that. 

I work on this project a little each evening. I think we will be at a family reunion camp out the week of September 7 so this will be a nice take along project.  

That little stack there is what is left of the 4.5 inch rose themed scraps. I was going to cut what was left into squares and add to my squares box but decided instead to throw them in with all of the rest of the rose themed scraps. I was thinking I'll make some simple nine patches. 

I've slowly been making Indian Hatchet blocks from 5 inch scraps left over from my 30s Churn Dash quilt top I finished in May. My goal is 252 blocks. I cut a few squares from the 5 inch scraps and corners to go with each block from 2.5 inch scraps. I keep a little basket of the parts near the sewing machine and use them as "enders" (I don't usually do "leaders") if I need one. I now have 210 blocks. 

I cut enough parts to reach my goal of 252 blocks. I fold diagonally and iron the 2.5 inch flippy corner squares and use the ironed line as my sewing line.  I have not trimmed any corners yet. That's a job for the evening when I watch TV with hubby. 

When I have enough blocks I'll assemble like a top inspired by Ann's (Fret Not Yourself). 

It has been my goal this year to empty my 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 inch width scrap bins. So far I have emptied the 3.5 bin and almost have emptied the 4.5 and 1.5 bins.   I cut 2.5 x 3.5 inch pieces and squares from what was left in the 3.5 inch bin. After I make all my blocks that use 2.5 inch scraps in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge color of the month I have also been cutting those scraps into the 2.5 x 3.5 pieces. I was inspired by a scrap quilt at Blue Elephant Stitches but I'll make mine a little bigger so figured I need 800 -2.5 x 3.5 pieces. Look! I'm over half way to my goal.   I do spend about 20 minutes each day going through odd sized unsorted scraps and if I can get a 2.5 x 3.5 pieces out of the scrap then that's what I cut. 

A new Jack and Jill quilt that uses 2.5 inch squares inspired by Lynn (Klein Meisje Quilts) is now in the works. So far I've counted out 100 squares (in the baggie) and I had a few strips of squares already on hand too. Since 1008 squares are needed I have a little cutting to do. 

Oh, look at what is on my cutting mat - 2.5 inch width scraps left over from Indian Hatchet blocks, 2.5 inch scraps from the Animal Crackers H blocks I started yesterday and 2.5 inch scraps left from the Ice Cream quilt (no clever name yet) started yesterday.  They will NOT go into the 2.5 inch scrap bin that I'm trying to empty. And now you know why. 

 

Two Sets of Finished Pillowcases

These pillowcases were stamped for embroidery and hemstitched ready for a crochet edging.  My daughter found them in her mother-in-law's things when she passed away and asked me if I wanted them.  Sure!  (I received several unfinished sets and did finish one set a while ago for my daughter and son-in-law).   Can you tell I like variegated threads? 

This set I purchased at a thrift store ages ago.  Since I'm working on finishing up a few rose themed quilts I figured I might as well finish up some rose themed pillowcases to match. 

I probably should have used a smaller crochet hook to go with my #30 thread (11 instead of 8) but I can hardly see to crochet with an 11 hook. I think the edgings turned out just fine. 

I picked up the #30 thread I used for the crochet and the crochet edging books at the thrift store long ago too.  I'm finally getting around (now that I'm retired) to doing something with all those thrift store finds.   I have several more sets to embroider that will probably go into the grandkids' hope chests. 

And on a final note...one of my garden roses. Ahhhh...the scent!

Looking through rose colored glasses today and

Slow Sunday Stitching at Kathy's Quilts