She used a vintage dress to make it! So clever!
Sewist’s Name: Cynthia Brooks from Holden, Massachusetts
Type of Project: Kindle Clutch
Pattern: Jot it Down – Better Homes & Gardens
Featured Date: 1-19-23
Hi, I’m Cynthia and I am showing a project which I call my “Kindle clutch”. The pattern is for a planner called “Jot it Down” and it’s from the Better Homes and Gardens magazine, Handwork Happiness, May 2020.
The cover of my clutch is fabric salvaged from a dress which I made and embroidered when I was 18 years old. The dress was is very good condition and I repurposed the bodice for this project. The dress meant a lot to me as I embroidered the dress while my husband and I traveled on a cross country camping trip soon after we married. I have saved the dress for over 40 years!
I embellished the cover piece with more embroidery inspired by my memories of visiting the National Parks of Canada and the USA. Mountains, sunsets and fields of flowers. I used the fabric from the body of the dress in the construction of the planner and to create the interior flaps. I learned to love hand embroidery all over again. Using this piece of needlework from my youth combined with the sewing and quilting skills gained over my lifetime was very meaningful.
Thank you!
Cynthia Brooks,
Holden, MA
Remember, if you want to submit YOUR project to Quilt & Tell, all you have to do is send an email! Read more about how to enter here.
It is beautiful! I loved the way you were able to repurpose your old dress and I am sure it has many treasured memories.
I have several pieces of embroidery from my grandma – such as dresser scarves and table runners that are stained or ripped. I can’t bear to get rid of them, but this item is an inspiration as to what to do with them. Thank you for sharing!
What a great idea to repurpose something that you made long ago that means so much to you. Every time you use it, the memories will follow into your heart.
Thank you for sharing.
Love reusing old embroidery/trims❤️. Beautiful!