Saturday, December 5, 2009

Vintage & Sentimental Gift


I have a friend who had a birthday recently...and for that birthday I sent her a gift of an apron.

But not just any old apron, it was a pillowcase apron! You see this pillowcase had sentimental value to my friend and she told me the story about it when she gave it to me. Knowing that I liked vintage cotton sheets she said this gift was special, because her mother, while she was sick toward the end of her life, wanted vintage cotton pillowcases because they are "cooler" and I know exactly what her mother meant. Those all cotton sheets were cooler to the touch. So, for her mother's comfort, Sue made sure she looked and found vintage pillowcases for her to lay her head upon. I thought that was so sweet. I know it made Sue happy to find something that would make her mom more comfortable.


The tag on the gift is from a vintage math game I found at a Salvation Army store. I threw away the rest of the game and kept the pile of cards to use for gift tags, and I circled the number or the "date" of the important event on the card, punched a hole and strung it on some mini rick-rack.


Knowing the story behind this pillowcase, I decided that for Sue's birthday, I would fashion an apron for her using the sentimental piece and found a piece of fabric to use for the ties that coordinated with the print on the pillowcase.

You know, I never realized it but pillowcases are the perfect size for aprons, so now when I'm looking for vintage linens, I will keep that in mind and look for pillowcases in good, crisp condition as this one was.

Sue's pillowcase was printed the same on both sides, so I was able to keep the look of the original pillowcase and still have pockets on the apron by just matching the pattern when I sewed the pocket onto the front. (I don't know about you, but I just gotta have pockets on my apron!) I also make the ties on aprons extra long, because I like tying mine in the front instead of in the back.


Remember our good childhood friends, Trixie and Honey?


I knew Sue liked vintage Trixe Belden books so I included a pink one I'd found at a garage sale from the 1950's in the package, because it was pink and Sue is the only female in a houseful of boys, so she
needs pink in her life!




Don't you just love the illustrations in these vintage books?



The back cover shot of the book, love those clothing styles!


Well, Sue loved her gift and I am SO glad. By having an apron, she can keep the sentimental object as a useful item. We all know that vintage pillowcases wash easily and wear well so Sue should be able to keep this for a long, long time to come.

I thought you might like knowing this idea and remember that even a novice sewer can make an apron! And, don't forget on your travels to thrift stores and garage sales, to be on the lookout for cute vintage pillowcases....

13 comments:

Bloggin bout my Boys said...

THANK YOU again my dear sweet friend. My keyboard is soggy from crying reading your post today. My Mom would be honored that I have a friend like you. HUGS HUGS HUGS!! Sue

★Carol★ said...

What a wonderful story, and such a sweet thing to do for your friend! Now she has a beautiful keepsake. I always buy old pillowcases. They beat anything that you can buy today, hands down!
Happy Weekend!
Carol

Daisy Cottage said...

((((Joni))))

You are the sweetest and what a loving, LOVELY, and precious gift you and your heart created! This is just SO special.

I LOVED Trixie Belden - had all of the books and so wanted to be friends with Trixie and Honey! ;-)

I kept all of my books from my childhood but somehow that box got thrown out during one of my early marriage moves. I was so sad to have lost them and my Nancy Drew books too.

Thank you also for your loving blog support - I treasure you and appreciate your visits. I just wanted you to know that.


Love,
Kim

sherry said...

Such a thoughtful, heartfelt and creative gift. I absolutely love this.

I too have vintage (as well as new) pillow cases I'll be using to make aprons - for Christmas next year. Fun!

jAne * tickleberryfarm.blogspot.com

Kathleen Grace said...

What a beautiful, thoughtful, creative gift Joni! I love the colors and print on the pillowcase and the book is so sweet. Lucky friend:>)

Anonymous said...

Good morning,You must stay up all hours of the night to do everything you do!What a busy lady and wonderful friend you must be.Smiles From Audrie in Mi

savvycityfarmer said...

Joni,
I didn't want this much time to pass before re-connecting.

Your home is gracious and beautiful ... like you.
You are as of this moment, on my favorites... not sure how this slipped thru the cracks ...
'It was a pleasure meeting you at the Stone Meadow Farm sale ... as we speak we are buying and planning the spring show ...out in the barn

Unknown said...

Love Trixie Belden! I found several of her books at a yard sale last summer for a quarter each! Wish I'd bought all the lady had. Can't wait to introduce my 8-year-old granddaughter to Trixie!

Angie Berry ~ Berry Homespun Primitives said...

Oh how sweet Joni!! What a wonderful idea. I never thought about making an apron from a vintage pillow case. Thanks for sharing your creativity!! And I can't tell you how many old games I have passed over because I just didn't think anyone would enjoy "playing" them. What a cute idea to use the pieces!! I am now on the lookout for vintage games and pillowcases! =] Thanks so much for the inspiration!

Mrs. Cherry Heart said...

Hi Joni,
you are so creative!
Love the apron idea and the gift tag....
I too love the coolness of the vintage pillowcases and sheets!

I ordered my chicks from here
www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/
I ordered the rarest of rare assortment.
They are all so unique and fun... not your everyday chicken... some are huge and some have the most beautiful feathers! I highly recomend them if you enjoy chickens and are looking for something different!

Merry Christmas
Dolly

mary your sis said...

What a sweet and sentimental thing to do for a lucky friend. I'm sure she'll treasure this heartwarming gift. And the Trixie Belden book was in such good shape! My daughter also likes Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew, so I'm looking for books for her from those collections whenever I think about it. But, I've never seen one in great condition like that. Great find!
HUGS!

Kathie Truitt said...

Joni, I just love your posts. You always make me feel so warm and cozy, like I'm actually in your house. You will be absolutely the most wonderful Grandma. And you have the perfect 'Grandma house', too.
One of my goals for 2010 is to visit your "Old Centennial Farmhouse". (embarrassed) OOps, I just commited a big faux pas. Mama said to never invite yourself to someone's house.

Angela said...

Now this is a very old post..but oh my, such lovely memories...I just finished reading last summer about five of Trixie's books...will continue this summer reading more. As a young teen I had the entire collection...sigh..no longer have them but so desire to be on the hunt for the older ones now..