Decorative Painting

Of all the fun crafts I have enjoyed doing, I get the most immediate gratification from decorative painting. I am a lover of intricate design so I am easily drawn to this craft. However, what is decorative painting? It is painting used to embellish objects for personal use in the home or as gifts for loved ones. There are thematic forms of decorative painting, such as country, primitive, rustic, tole and folk art. The latter two have historical aspects that would be interesting to explore further. What kind of objects are painted? Mostly 3-dimensional objects made of wood, plastic, clay pots, baskets, leather, candles, glass and even fabric to name a few. Patterns for painting can be of any subject centered around a theme, color arrangement, geometric designs etc., and may include lettering, borders and symbols.
The book featured above is Dots & Daisies by Carol Mays and consists of 25 projects centered around that theme. Subjects included are flowers, butterflies, snowmen and more created with fun sponges and dotters. This and other painting books can be found at my Ecrater store.

Detachable Lace Collars

Add a bit of vintage or Victorian style with detachable lace collars. They can add feminine charm to a plain dress or complete a Victorian costume. Simplicity Pattern 8465 (1993) provides you the opportunity to sew various styles of lace collars and includes yellow wax transfers for additional creative embroidery designs.

The visual impact of collars oftentimes go un-realized. They can influence facial shape and neck, such as counteracting a wide face or short neck. Curved edges can help to soften an angular face while straight square edges a very round one. Specific styles can add fullness to a flat chest, widen shoulders or narrow them.

This and other patterns are available until sold at Dawn's Pattern Shop

1950's Shirtwaist Dress

This wonderful shirtwaist dress from the 1950's was designed by Butterick. It is Butterick Pattern 7217. It is a teen size dress (13) with a size 31" bust. It was the new sensation then for teen girls with its wide wheeling pocketed skirt. The fitted bodice was in the style of a shirt, which was more emphasized when contrasting fabric was used for the skirt. It can be customized with finely tailored short sleeves with buttoned cuff details or just sleeveless. How wonderfully it enhances feminine physique. This and other fine patterns are made available to you by Dawn's Pattern Shop

Vintage Childrens' Patterns

I enjoy looking at vintage children's patterns. They depict days past when children were expected and allowed to be children and not little "grown-ups". Little girls could hide cute pudgy tummies under high waisted dresses without worry of them popping over the top of low waisted tight fitting jeans while at play. Boys could play rough, and tumble, and explore without the hindrance of loose-fitting pants or shorts dropping below the knee. Vintage children's patterns express a time of protected childhood and encouraged the making of suitable clothing for memorable childish activities. It is wonderful to still be able to sew many of those wonderful styles of the past for our children today. They do not have to be forced into roles and clothing unsuitable for important childhood experiences.

http://dawnspatternshop.ecrater.com