She Started a Need for Vintage Bed Sheets August 11, 2009

It hit my local book store today...Handmade Home, the newest book by Amanda Blake-Soule, Soule Mama.  I wanted to see it before I bought it so I didn't go the "pre-order on Amazon route", which made it so I had to wait until it hit stores, but I did decide it needed to come home. 

There are adorable ideas, some things that while nice to look it I'll likely not make, but there were far fewer of those projects than you find in most crafting books.  No, this book is very cool, and worth the price.  My favorite project, at least the one I'm most jazzed about starting, is the blanket made out of old bed sheets.  I have one set of sheets already, but I need a few more to get the nice variety that she has...which made me fall in love with it.

Quite a few of the projects jumped out at me, so hopefully this will get me to spend some time at the old sewing machine.  I'm so easily distracted by other things.  I told my friend I need a life coach...not the kind like on Oprah, or something, where they get your emotional/spiritual path in order, but I need a buddy to just spend all day doing stuff with me.  I'd be far more focussed if I had a pal to garden, sew and do home improvement/cleaning projects with. But since I'm not in a position to pay for a friend...hehehe, I guess I'll have to find another way to be less distracted...but a life coach is such a brilliant idea.

So does anyone know where, in NH (or Southern Maine, I guess) that I may procure some vintage bed sheets, with big beautful floral prints?  Goodwill never seems to have much for that.  I'm going to check in of the Antique shops on Route 4, but any other good ideas?  I can't handle yard sales, I'm looking for someplace that "usually has that sort of thing"...you know anywhere?

Oh, so I tried to go the bank today, and couldn't...why?  My bank had been robbed, only half an hour to 45 mintues before I arrived.  I had to go the ATM and pay a fee to get my money out.  Isn't that all just crazy!?

 

Also crazy, is when the sun is shining and it's raining. I love when that happens.  It's a nice reminder that even when it's raining the sun is still there, just not so visible, but it is still there.  I thought of that when I looked out my rain streaked window to see the sun blazing through the clouds, which brought me on a little spiritual, mental journey.  

 

 The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
         And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Psalm 19:1

Comments

[Andrea]

Hey! That's my bank, too!
Hope they didn't take all my money ;)
I will think about the linens...

[Life Looms Large]

My only idea about the linens is to ask on Freecycle or Craig's List....but then you might get too many or lots of inappropriate linens that you don't want. (But maybe another crafter you know might want....like for rug weaving?)

I know that in my household, sheets stay in use until they disintegrate. First they're sheets. Then if they get ripped or something, they become dropcloths for painting.

But I'd guess that lots of houses and cottages in Maine and NH have old partial sheet sets that people don't want.

OK, I'm talking myself out of this idea as I type....but I'll leave it just in case!

Sue

[jenn]

If I lived next door (or at least within driving distance) to you then I would be your "life coach" and you could be mine, we could spend a whole day at each others house every week and just do what needed to get done and if all the normal stuff was done we could help each other finish or start on the projects that have been laying around just waiting to happen. Oh how I wish we weren't on the other side of the nation.
I was also thinking about Freecycle. You'll probably find some good ones at the antique shops, and since they will be cut for quilting you might ask the shop owner if they have any in the back that have holes or stains, or if they would mind if you called weekly to inquire. Just a thought
Jenn

[Amy Ouellette]

I must admit, I can't readily figure out freecycle. I'm all over craigslist, but freecycle evades my understanding. Yes, in some homes sheets stay forever, becoming rags and all, but some folks certainly sell good, ready to reuse sheets. The one I got was from my grandmothers, when we were cleaning out her house. I probably should have grabbed more of them...had I known.

[Amy Ouellette]

Jenn, you rock. I wish you weren't way over there, as well. I think you'd be great fun to hang out with. Good idea about asking if they have any substandard options, since they will be cut up and I cut around any issues. Thanks!

[angry_gato]

I've had good luck with vintage sheets at Fair Tide thrift shop in Kittery, ME. Of course, it's a little bit of a hike for you but the smaller thrift shops are generally a better bet and pretty cheap too.
I bought a bunch of vintage sheets at Fair Tide and a blanket to use as quilt batting for under $10, although I haven't touched my vintage sheet quilt project in a few months..

[Life Looms Large]

OK, months later I found the secret to Amanda Soule's vintage sheet-shopping....so I'm back to comment about it!

Check out her post here describing annual visits to the Salvation Army Fabric and Fiber Sale in Portland in May. I can tell you because while you'll be there looking for fabric, I'll be looking for yarn!!!

Of course, we have a lot of winter to get through first!!

Sue

[Life Looms Large]

Ooops - the link I tried to insert didn't work. Sorry!

Here's the long version:
http://soulemama.typepad.com/soulemama/2007/05/musings_on_the_.html

Sue

[Santosutd]

I love this Kas Bed Linen. It is awesome bed linen. You have done really good work.

http://www.kasaustralia.com.au/products/cushions-pillowcases.html