Let’s Make a Vintage Linens Quilt Together, Post #11; Save your scraps!

This blog is all about saving bits and pieces and making the most out of a ragged edge dresser scarf.

There are 28 pictures below, most all have information in the picture captions. My intention is to demonstrate to you that almost any vintage linen has potential, it just depends on how you look at it and how willing you are to think outside the box.

This is a picture illustration/tutorial on why I do not throw anything away that is 1” or larger.

Above is the raggedy end of a once lovely dresser scarf. I did not remember to measure this piece before I began cutting it into sections.
Using my 6 1/2” square ruler I cut one piece from the “good” end of the dresser scarf just before this picture was taken.
This is the cut piece affixed to a 6 1/2” square of muslin.
This is what remained of the “good” end. Lots and lots of potential here!
Again, using my 6 1/2” square I cut my next piece but can you see the bottom edge of my ruler is hanging off the bottom edge of the dresser scarf? I want to include the nice small white crochet in this block.
Just another view of the same ruler placement as the picture above.
I have made the cut but look what I now have on the left…a quarter circle! I can use this!
This quarter circle will add interest to the upper right corner of my block.
Perfect!
I do the same cutting on the other side of the “good” edge of the dresser scarf.
And again, place the quarter circle on the block but this time on the upper left.
I really like this!
And this!
I overlap the two blocks to see what a 6 1/2 x 12 1/2” block would look like if I sewed these two together.
Elmer’s White Washable School Glue is my good friend! I use this glue all the time! Just a little bit pressed dry with an iron saves pinning. When the Elmer’s is iron dry (in a matter of maybe a minute) I machine stitch the quarter circle to the block right at the point where the crochet meets the fabric.
Here is what I now have after cutting the 3 blocks.
I can do more with what remains if I cut the piece in half horizontally.
Swivel the top half around to meet the bottom half and look what happens!
Swivel the pieces in the opposite manner and these two ends meet!
At least two more blocks from this dresser scarf!
This block is made from the cut off ends of the block above.
If I am bothered that the embroidery does not match up perfectly, after the piece is quilted I can strategically place a distractor (the blue silk flower) so no one will ever know.
From this single damaged dresser scarf I was able to get six 6 blocks (these 5 and the one already part of the quilt top).
I was thrilled!

Don’t throw away anything! 😄😄

Blessings to everyone for a great New Year!

Published by Rhonda Dort

A creative person living in Houston, TX

16 thoughts on “Let’s Make a Vintage Linens Quilt Together, Post #11; Save your scraps!”

  1. Pingback: Week Ending - April 9

  2. Oh, WOW this is just gorgeous 🙂 With my late mothers blessing, I have made a precious quilt using this method & five generations (on mother’s side) of stunning hand embroidered table clothes, pillow cases, aprons, doilies, etc, some of which were very tread bare & totally tatty. It is just the most precious quilt ever. A beautiful heirloom to treasure for many more generations.

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  6. Hi Rhonda, This is Ferri Lou. I met you through Kathy. I loved all your quilts and the slide show . Thank you for letting me join you ladies for the afternoon! I can’t wait to try some of your ideas!

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. Aha! I do have 1 dresser scarf with a few stains… maybe I can get some use out of it. I have another out of a heavier linen…. that one I’ll have to think about as it’s currently on my dresser.

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