Friday, November 20, 2009

Bag of Tricks

Be sure to grab a copy of Better Homes and Gardens winter edition of 100 Decorating Ideas Under $100. Inside you will find a story on using vintage sacks for many simple decorating projects. I created the roman shade and the small pillow shown in the article.

100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer - Michael Partenio
Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

The coffee sack roman shade was very easy to make and required a minimal amount of sewing. (Directions are included below.) I think the most difficult part of this project is finding a sack that is close to the right dimensions of your window. If you can't find one wide enough, simply add banding on both sides like was done on this shade. If you are not a sewer, you are better off using a smaller sack and adding banding to it, rather than trying to take apart the sack and make it smaller.

100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer - Michael Partenio
Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

I also made the small red and black striped feed sack pillow shown below. I closed my pillow with a zipper, but you could also use a needle and thread. Feed sacks can be found in a variety of colors and patterns. Some (like the one shown) even include embroidered initials. Because these sacks are typically fairly long, they will make two or three smaller pillows depending on the size of your inserts.

100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer - Michael Partenio
Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications


100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer - Michael Partenio
Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

Here are some other photos from the article.

100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer - Michael Partenio
Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

One of my favorite attributes of vintage sacks is their versatility. If you keep the sack as found, it can be used as a table runner, table topper and a large pillow - no sewing required! I have several sacks in my house that I simply inserted a body pillow and secured the end with a large antique laundry bag pin. This allows me to use the sack for several purposes.


100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer - Michael Partenio
Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

 100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer - Michael Partenio
Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications


100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer - Michael Partenio
Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

My previous tablescape post also included a picture of a chair seat that I covered using a vintage sack and my kitchen includes stools covered in vintage sacks. If you have other ideas you would like to share for using vintage sacks I would love to hear them!


13 comments:

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

That looks great! You are so talented ~ a feed sack to a roman shade. I love it! I like the idea that these are already imprinted.

Anonymous said...

I bought a copy of the other day and LOVED all of the great ideas! BHG has such great publications. Have a good weekend...

pk @ Room Remix

Cottage on the Hill said...

Thats a great idea...using those sacks as window treatments! I'll have to pick that issue up.

Cottage on the Hill said...

Love the feed sack roman shade...great idea. I'll have to pick up that issue. Thanks and great job.

Maria Killam said...

That roman shade is fabulous! Wow you are so talented, how great to be in the magazine! Does it bring you business? That's always what I'm curious about!

Boxwood Terrace said...

These are great projects. You are so creative! It must be wonderful to just whip up whatever you'd like to make on the sewing machine!

Anonymous said...

Fun ideas! It never ceases to amaze me how we sewists can turn almost any textile into a work of art by simply working our magic! Great job and congrats on the ink!

Ellen
Nouveau Stitch

Red Door Home said...

The plant in the urn is from Lowes. I believe it is some form of ivy. It must be very tolerant as I have had it for a while and it is still alive!

cotedetexas said...

congratulations!!!! I love that shade - what a wonderful idea. just wonderful!

Brabourne Farm said...

I love everything - you're so clever. Leigh

mb said...

Great ideas!

Decor To Adore said...

I adore this magazine and bought it to show my husband specifically the roman shade. He was born in raised in Panama. You are incredibly talented and do beautiful work~bravo!

Sharon said...

I love the curtains, a wonderful idea! I have seen dog beds made from burlap coffee sacks that are very cute too! Thanks for sharing :)

Sharon

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