Fashion Flashback: 1950’s Inspired Jewelry Making Ideas

July 26, 2014 by AllFreeJewelryMaking 2 Comments

Sometimes, we all think about what it would feel like to live in a past decade. One of the easiest, and most chic, ways to get a sense of what it might have been like in another decade or century is to wear some fashionable vintage jewelry. AllFreeJewerlyMaking has put together a list of some of our favorite 1950’s inspired jewelry making ideas for you to craft. So, if you have ever wanted to go back to the decade when Queen Elizabeth II became queen, The Sound of Music hit the stage for the first time, and Grace Kelly became a princess, then make these ten vintage jewelry pieces. You will instantly feel like you have been transported back in time.

Fashion Flashback: 1950’s Inspired Jewelry Making Ideas

1950: The Birth of “Peanuts”

While growing up, we all loved waking up on the weekend and reading the comic section of the Sunday paper. So, relive those moments when you make this Wire-Wrapped Beaded Stud Earring. As jewelry making ideas go, we could see an adult Patty wearing these bold DIY earrings.

1951: Television Pops with Color

In 1951, colored television was introduced, so to to celebrate its invention, craft this fabulous Vintage Inspired Green Beaded Necklace. Chic and bright, you will feel just like a ’50’s lady wearing it.

1952: Great Britain has a New Queen

Princess Elizabeth became Queen at the age of 25. In honor of her coronation, learn how to make an elegant DIY necklace with this Lilac Rosette Seed Bead Necklace. When you wear it, you can imagine you were at the coronation!

1953: A Great Discovery

One of the greatest discoveries in science happened in 1953 when DNA was discovered. Instead of studying the inner workings of DNA strands, weave together the strands of this Double Strand Pearl and Crystal Bracelet.

1954: The Launch of a Search

This was not just any search; Britain sponsored an expedition to find the Abominable Snowman. Yes, you read that correctly. But, whether or not you believe in his existence, prepare for his spotting by learning a simple bead weave pattern with this white as snow Classic Pearl Bracelet. It is one of classiest jewelry making ideas there is!

1955: Rosa Parks Makes a Statement

To honor Rosa Park’s bravery, make stunning statement DIY jewelry making ideas, like this Anthro-Inspired Vintage Brooch Necklace.

Fashion Flashback: 1950’s Inspired Jewelry Making Ideas

1956: Grace Kelly Marries her Prince

Ever elegant and beautiful, no one deserved to be a princess more than Grace Kelly. Feel like she may have in 1956 when she became one with this Grace Kelly Woven Bracelet.

1967: The Creative Cat is Born

When Dr. Seuss wrote The Cat in the Hat, he wrote a children’s story like none before it. Be creative like he was and learn How to Make a Custom Color Pearl Necklace. These pearls aren’t just plain white!

1958: Let’s Think Space

In order to beat the USSR, the U.S. launched NASA in 1958. We think these beautiful Rocking Rhinestone Studs could look like an elegant space rock.

1959: The Hills Are Alive for the First Time

This Modern Pearl Necklace and Earring Set is perfect for Fraulein Maria; and, it would have looked timeless on Julie Andrews when she played her years later.

Why would you want to go back to the 1950’s?

While She Was Sleeping on Special Fabric: National Sewing Month 2013

September 14, 2013 by AllFreeSewing 38 Comments

It’s Day Fourteen of National Sewing Month! Too see the daily blog posts, projects of the day, and more National Sewing Month details, click here.

My name is Jenya. I am a sewaholic. As soon as my little girl goes to sleep my feet take me to the sewing room, my eyes glance over the fabric, and my hands start creating. I like to share about the cute little things I have made on my blog, While she was sleeping. Please feel free to pop over and have a look.

A few weeks ago there was an interesting discussion on AllFreeSewing’s Facebook page about sewing with special fabric. I thought it would be appropriate to share how I treat my special fabric.

My grandma was a very talented seamstress. I don’t remember her ever using a pattern, and yet she could whip up just about anything! I have tender memories of some of the outfits she made for me when I was little. When I caught the sewing bug my mum passed a lot of fabric on to me left from my grandma. We are not talking about just any fabric – gorgeous vintage fabric.

Now, tell me – and please be honest – would you get a cup of coffee plus a cake and just sit there looking at them before leaving without even trying them? Or how about getting a pair of heels you always wanted and never taking them out of the box? To me, having vintage fabric and not using it doesn’t make sense. I am armed with scissors, and I am not afraid to use them… even on precious vintage fabric!

Please let me show you a few of my favorite outfits I made for Little Monkey out of my vintage fabric while she was sleeping.

I made this dress when I was very new to sewing. I used my grandma’s fabric. This fabric is at least 30 years old. Little Monkey only wore this dress for a few months, but to see her wearing something her mummy made out of her great grandma’s fabric was very special to say the least.

How gorgeous is this Clydella fabric! A shop assistant thought it was printed in the late 60’s. It is 19% wool and 81% cotton. After sitting on a shelf for many years this soft and warm fabric became a little dress for my daughter. Little Monkey enjoyed wearing it last winter.

Some of my grandma’s gorgeous vintage corduroy became this cute and simple pinafore.

I am currently participating in a sewing challenge known as Secret Squirrel (sewpony.blogspot.com.au). Participants are required to create an outfit for a child using five ‘acorns’ of inspiration. One of the acorns for August was ‘Tangerine’. As soon as I read that I thought of some of my grandma’s gorgeous fabric and made a little tunic for Little Monkey (pattern by Sew Sweet Patterns). Don’t you just love this color?

I love making clothes for my daughter. I enjoy seeing her wear her mummy-made clothes everywhere – even at childcare or the playground. Yes, even clothes made out of precious vintage fabrics. Because you see, when I buy a cake I like to eat it 😉

Remember to visit Jenya over at While she was sleeping for truly inspiring sewing projects!

What have you made out of precious, vintage fabric?

FaveQuilts Giveaway: Quilting Those Flirty 30s

May 30, 2013 by FaveQuilts Leave a Comment

Quilting is one of the most beautiful traditions out there. If you ask a number of quilters how they get started, they will be able to tell you a special story about how they learned from someone close to them. It’s touching to see how such a life-changing learning experience can translate into how a person quilts. This is part of what makes Cynthia Tomaszewski’s Quilting Those Flirty 30s a book that will touch readers on many different levels. Not only are there a series of delightful patterns inspired by the quilting styles of the 1930s, but also a personal look into the author’s quilting roots that creates a magical nostalgic feel that takes this beyond the average quilting guide.

The book’s introduction sets the tone immediately. Instead of introducing quilting techniques or patterns, Tomaszewski talks about her great Aunt Christie and how quilting had been passed down through five generations. I found that this gave everything that came afterwards a more personal feel. The author very much values the tradition of quilting, and shows an extensive knowledge of the 30s style that readers will easily pick up on with her helpful explanations of everything from the most popular elements of designs to the fabric options.

You can be sure that the patterns you’ll be quilting will have an authentic look with the series of projects and templates included. This is also a great book for quilters who like to work on projects other than quilts, as there are plenty of cute kitchen crafts and wearable to work on. There are even delicious homemade cookie recipes included with every pattern to expand on that feeling of nostalgia the book provides for many.

If you’re ready to take a trip back in time through your quilting (and your baking!), then Quilting Those Flirty 30s would make an invaluable part of your quilting book library. The editors at FaveQuilts enjoyed this work so much that we’d like to share that joy with one lucky winner of our latest giveaway! You have until the 4th of June to enter to win a copy of Quilting Those Flirty 30s with 11 quilt patterns complete with templates and bonus cookie recipes.

Go Back in Time with Vintage Crafts

May 10, 2013 by AllFreeChristmasCrafts 1 Comment

Some of you might already be planning ahead for next Christmas by deciding on your Christmas home decor and tree theme. One style that’s become very popular in the past few years has been an old-fashioned look. Crafters of all styles have been looking backwards for craft inspiration and designing some very intricate looking vintage crafts for every room in their house, and now they’re passing on their ideas to you. The editors at AllFreeChristmasCrafts would like to help you get started with your planning with our latest collection, A Vintage Christmas: 15 Old Fashioned Craft Ideas, which has some of the best ways to put a classic spin on Christmas that you’ll find anywhere.

Still not sure if you want your entire Christmas theme to revolve around vintage crafting? No problem; you can start small with one of these handmade Christmas ornaments. Each ornament shows off uses different crafting techniques that have standout presentations. You can go for a simple paper themed craft, or crochet a traditional-looking ornament that you can pass down safely to other family members in the future.

Incorporating bigger handmade Christmas decorations is just as easy, as the projects included in A Vintage Christmas cover everything from Christmas stocking patterns to options for a wreath to decorate your front door. These DIY Christmas decorations are excellent ways to save money and preserve style. Stores everywhere are picking up on the vintage tread, but their prices aren’t always reasonable. You won’t have to worry, as you’ll be learning some creative ways to use recyclables and craft materials to make store-bought quality Christmas decorations.

Another way you can incorporate classic elements into your Christmas planning is through your own Christmas fashion. Learn how you can refashion traditional patterns into brand new DIY accessories to show off at your next Christmas party. These are suited for all ages, and help to bring down spending costs in a major portion of your holiday budget.

If you have any friends with a love for all things vintage, than our list of old fashioned Christmas crafts is a must read for gift ideas. The gift ideas we’ve included on our list cover both the practical and the decorative, which ensures loved ones of different tastes will be pleased with what they receive.

Classic Christmas crafts never get old, and they’re a great way to start new traditions with your family that can be passed down for future generations. A Vintage Christmas: 15 Old Fashioned Craft Ideas can be the first step in your Christmas planning, and the vintage crafts you’ll find here can also be used throughout the year to bring a little spark of the traditional into your home.

What’s your favorite way to add a vintage touch to your Christmas crafts?

FaveCrafts Giveaway: Vintage Scrapbook Collection

December 21, 2012 by FaveCrafts Leave a Comment

What’s old is new again! Enjoy the wonders, colors, and fashion that was the 1950’s and 60’s with this fabulous paper collection from Vintage Street Market!

First of all, what says vintage more than paper dolls? Their paper doll collection is a blast to play with. The Family Fun Kit comes with 7 double sided pieces of 12×12 cardstock, envelope templates, cut out dolls, and paper outfits. Have fun mixing and matching outfits with your kids or friends with this classic vintage game that’s sure to please crafters young and old.

Vintage Street Market also has a great collection of Tinted Tape. The various patterns include a dirty soot tape, a tape with an aged print on it, tape with numbers on it, and a soft linen colored tape. This washi style tape is great for adding a finishing touch to cards and photo projects…and every package of tape comes with a little fun fact on the back! Did you know the first tape dispenser was made in 1932 from cast iron and weighed almost 7 pounds?

Vintage Street Market also has a wonderful selection of embellishments for all your paper crafting needs. Their vintage style Bingo Craft Cards are great for creating altered albums, banners, and adding a touch of vintage flair to your scrapbooking layouts. This kit comes with 14 cards in varying sizes and colors. They have a variety of other embellishments, including classic rick rack, old playing cards, tickets, sheet music, journaling paper, and much more!

I also love the Twirly Twine from Vintage Street Market. We were able to play around with the Brown, Black, Pink, and Denim colors, and each pack of twine also comes with little embellishments that you can cut out and attach to the twine! This stuff is great for making cards or scrapbook pages…and is also great for gift wrapping, too.

Finally their Paper Sheets and Tags collections feature beautiful decorative paper sheets, as well as an assortment of tags, and crepe and foil accent paper. With these kits, you’ll have everything you need to create a fabulous assortment of vintage themed projects!

Want to win this awesome collection from Vintage Street Market?

Head on over to the giveaway page and register to win today. You have until January 5th to enter, and you can enter to win once a day…so the more you return, the greater your chances of winning this awesome giveaway! You can also gain additional entries by blogging about this giveaway or talking about it on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. Get all the info at the Vintage Scrapbook Collection giveaway page! Good luck!

Vintage Love: 9 Sewing Patterns

June 30, 2012 by AllFreeSewing 2 Comments

When I was little, I remember how excited I got when my mom let me play dress-up with my grandmother’s jewelry box. Back then, I loved all the sparkly costume jewelry like the over-sized “diamond” necklaces and clip-on earrings (my grandmother never got her ears pierced!). Now that I’m older, I’ve rediscovered the charms of this vintage treasure box. I wear a lot of the pieces everyday. There’s a beautiful long pearl necklace that goes with everything and a cameo pin that dresses up my pea coat.

I go to thrift stores a lot and scour the racks for vintage clothing and accessories. It’s harder to find clothes in my size without doing alterations (I’m super short!) so that’s why I love these sewing projects that recreate the vintage style. Check out these vintage-inspired sewing projects to add to your wardrobe. Best of all, the vintage style encompasses many eras of fashion so no matter what mood you’re in, there’s a look for it.

Romantic Style

Vintage Lace Camisole – This feminine camisole was inspired by a vintage lingerie pattern. It’s a delicate piece that would look lovely peeking out from underneath a sweater.

All the Trimmings Scarf -I don’t know if you have noticed but I love lace. This romantic summery scarf is lined with different lace styles and colors.

Vintage Rose Shirt – This is a great update to a boring t-shirt. Just add a silky rose and ribbon trim to make this shirt perfectly elegant.

Detachable Collar – Look like a lady in this adorable, prim and proper collar. I want to make one with my embroidered initials.

Retro Styles

Easy Ruffle Apron – Channel your inner Betty Draper with this cute ruffle apron. It makes me want to cook something!

DIY Vintage Belt – Bows, bows and more bows. Nothing says vintage charm like a well placed bow. This would look great with a full skirt dress.

Polka Dot Skirt – This high waisted polka dot skirt is so retro chic.

Retro Travel Bag – The shape and chevron pattern of this bag is fun. It would be a great travel bag.

50’s Headband – Headbands are an instant way to dress up an outfit and I love the plaid pattern.

There are so many different ways you can incorporate vintage style into your life. These easy sewing projects are a great way to get the vintage look without scouring your local fleamarket. If you want to see more vintage-inspired sewing projects (including some home decor patterns) take a look at these 16 Vintage Sewing Projects and Patterns.

Which vintage look do you love? Do you prefer a more romantic or retro style?

What’s Your Mad Men Style? 8 Retro DIY Fashions

March 23, 2012 by FaveCrafts 4 Comments

The season 5 premiere of the show “Mad Men” is this Sunday and I’m ridiculously excited! It’s been over a year since last season’s cliff-hanger ending and I know the premiere is going to be packed full of drama.

But even if you don’t watch the show (which you should) or have just tuned in a few times, there’s still one big reason why you should be excited about the return of this 1960s-set show.
What’s that, you ask?

The fashion.

Every single episode of this drama is packed with so many amazing retro and vintage outfits, you’ll feel like you’re actually living in 1960s New York. Now doesn’t that sound like fun?!

From Betty’s full skirts to Peggy’s bow-accented cardigans to Joan’s sexy, curve-hugging dresses, the costumes on this show are spot-on period perfect in every way. The fashions are so visually interesting that they’ve inspired a resurgence of retro fashion. Stores like Banana Republic and Brooks Brothers now have their own “Mad Men” inspired clothing collections.

But what if you want to add some retro-vintage “Mad Men” fashion to your closet without going broke? Since we’re all crafty people here, might I suggest making your own vintage-inspired clothes? Plenty of craft bloggers and regular Janes have already started making retro outfits for themselves and are showing them off (and sharing their tutorials and tips) online.

I’ve rounded up some of the best DIY vintage styles I could find, but you should also check out all of the “Mad Men” fashion ideas on Pinterest. There are so many fabulously chic retro outfits you can make!

Betty Draper Inspired Outfits:

This Festival Fancy Vintage Top crochet pattern is actually from 1956 and is totally something Betty would wear, especially with that belt!

This full, gathered skirt is perfect for Betty, who loves showing off her figure with flattering waistlines.

This knit pullover sweater is just the sort of thing we’d see Betty wear on the rare occasion when she’s not out socializing.

Peggy Olson Inspired Outfits:

With its high waistband and big bow, this fitted pencil skirt is without a doubt something Peggy would have in her closet.

This pleated skirt is another item that would be straight out of Peggy’s wardrobe. It’s so playful and innocent and fits her character to a tee.

Joan Holloway Inspired Outfits:

This gorgeous, figure-flattering sweater captures Joan’s fashion sense perfectly. When you wear this knit top, you’ll feel elegant and confident, just like Joan!

The feminine shape and bold color of this curve-hugging dress are so Joan! Nothing says the fabulous Ms. Holloway like a sexy silhouette!

More Mad Men Fashions:

This playful fitted cardigan is actually named after one of the “Mad Men” characters: little Sally Draper, Betty’s daughter.

After that little retro fashion show, now I’m even more excited for the season premiere (if that’s even possible)! How excited are you?!? Also, if you’re hosting a Mad Men party for the season premiere, be sure to check out these 60s inspired dishes that could have come right out of Betty’s kitchen!

What’s your retro style? Are you a Betty, a Peggy or a Joan?

This Week on Cool2Craft TV – EcoHeidi Borchers Something from Nothing

August 28, 2011 by Tiffany 5 Comments

Join host EcoHeidi Borchers and her special guest for this week’s episode of EcoHeidi TV on the Cool2Craft TV Channel. On this new episode, it’s all about “something from nothing”. EcoHeidi sets the design theme with a water bottle necklace, crafts an adorable hanging doll from bottle caps, shares the popular vintage Aleene’s technique of the look of embossing with glue and Candace Jedrowicz transforms soda cans and plastic into a cool light catcher. Monday August 29, 2011 at 9 am Pacific/ 10 am Mountain/ 11 am Central/ noon Eastern. Watch craft demos and join in the live chat at showtime at Cool2Craft.com.

It’s easy to watch Cool2Craft TV right from your computer. This episode airs Monday August 29, 2011 9am Pacific/10am Mountain/11 am Central/noon Eastern. Go to http://cool2craft.com and find the Livestream player and chat box. See you Monday!

Watch live streaming video from cool2craft at livestream.com

Meet and Make: Vicki O’Dell

May 6, 2011 by FaveCrafts 4 Comments

Today’s Meet and Make designer is Vicki O’Dell. Vicki is a professional crafter and designer whose work has appeared in numerous publications, T.V. segments, and blogs, including her own blog, The Creative Goddess. She likes to craft in just about any medium and is always trying something new.

Ready to meet Vicki?

10 Fun Facts about Vicki O’Dell:

I think my father was a Gypsy in a past life and we moved a lot when I was a child.
As an adult I’ve lived in Ohio, Germany, New Mexico, Illinois, North Carolina and West Virginia – maybe I’m part gypsy too?
I’m married to my best friend and we have 4 nearly adult children.
My studio mascot is a Miniature Schnauzer named Holle
I love gardening but I don’t like my hands to be dirty.
I’m SERIOUSLY claustrophobic
I love learning new things. I see everything and everyone around me is a teacher.
I don’t like eating leftovers
I have an extremely vivid imagination
I’m immature and impetuous and I like that about me just fine.

Here’s Vicki’s Project:

I found some fancy tea cups at a craft store recently. There were all kinds of different prints, and I’m sure a tea cup from the thrift store would be even better but I doubt I could ruin a pretty vintage cup. UNLESS it was badly chipped. In that case, all bets are off!

I filled the cup to over flowing with batting and cut a large circle of fabric. Then I covered the top of the cup and tucked the fabric down in the tea cup. I used a pair of closed scissors to tuck the fabric deep into the bottom of the cup. Then, I used my hot glue gun, and while holding the filling back from the rim of the cup I filled the space with hot glue and then let the filling go back in place.You could also glue the cup to the saucer and use the saucer to hold thimbles, thread and small scissors.

This could be further decorated with charms to hang off the handle or some of the pins, using crazy decorative pins or even beads. Oh, and if you want a more vintage look on a newer cup you could grunge it up with alcohol inks… Of course you could always use the tea cup for tea but who uses things for their intended purpose? Not me! 🙂

Vintage Home Decor

July 7, 2009 by FaveCrafts 3 Comments

I am a huge fan of vintage home decor – namely wall hangings like mirrors and frames that accent a modern-feeling room. On my bedroom wall hangs a large oval mirror, vintage-inspired with its intricate edges and stressed antique coloring, that I picked up at a thrift store for $18. To me, having a vintage style doesn’t necessarily make me an antique collector or a retro decoart enthusiast. Instead I’d say I have an eye for old beauty that incorporates well with the clean lines and colors of modern decor.

Perusing through the Etsy web site, I found these vintage-inspired frames that can be filled with a large picture, mirror or decorative fabric.

Vintage Frames from Etsy

More recently, I’ve been interested in the idea of creating my own wall art that may not be from the second-hand store, but definitely looks like a throwback item. Sometimes even the thrift store charges more than you want to spend on something that’s not even new. So why not touch-up a mirror or frame you have lying around your house? It’s a cheap and easy way to change up your home decor without spending a ton of money on new things. Check out this do-it-yourself vintage mirror at Favecrafts.com.

Vintage Mirror from Favecrafts

1950: The Birth of “Peanuts”

1951: Television Pops with Color

1952: Great Britain has a New Queen

1953: A Great Discovery

1954: The Launch of a Search

1955: Rosa Parks Makes a Statement

1956: Grace Kelly Marries her Prince

1967: The Creative Cat is Born

1958: Let’s Think Space

1959: The Hills Are Alive for the First Time

Why would you want to go back to the 1950’s?

Share and Enjoy !

What have you made out of precious, vintage fabric?

Share and Enjoy !

Share and Enjoy !

What’s your favorite way to add a vintage touch to your Christmas crafts?

Share and Enjoy !

Share and Enjoy !

Which vintage look do you love? Do you prefer a more romantic or retro style?

Share and Enjoy !

Betty Draper Inspired Outfits:

Peggy Olson Inspired Outfits:

Joan Holloway Inspired Outfits:

More Mad Men Fashions:

What’s your retro style? Are you a Betty, a Peggy or a Joan?

Share and Enjoy !

Share and Enjoy !

10 Fun Facts about Vicki O’Dell:

Here’s Vicki’s Project:

Share and Enjoy !

Share and Enjoy !

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