Vintage Daydream: Fabric that inspires

Sometimes fabrics speak to us, don\’t they?  Well that’s what happened to me when I caught my first glimpse of Vintage Daydream (Designs by Dani for Riley Blake Designs). 

This pretty collection is made up of soft pinks, berry reds and golden yellows, with a touch of black here and there.  I was immediately drawn to the way the pinks and reds worked together. But the patterns also won me over . . . delicate florals, lacey banners, subtle geometrics and inspirational word snippets.  Yes, this collection simply said, “Make something pretty with me!”  
I wanted to make a table runner and mug rug with these fabrics, something that would create a nice setting for journaling or doodling while having a cup of coffee. It seems like my life has become something of a constant race, and I would like to take a few moments each day to sit peacefully, count my blessings and reflect.  Do any of you feel that way? I’m hoping that by creating an inviting little nook, I might actually take the time to do that! 
First I made a simple patchwork mug rug made up of sixteen 2 1/2” squares.  I quilted it with simple straight line quilting 1/8” from each seam using Aurifil 2021 (50wt).  Don\’t you just love the little floral hankies and the happy wording in the prints?
Then I embellished the mug rug with a little yo-yo and a button from Grandma Audrey’s button jar. The dainty crocheted edge is a bias trim I purchased from Vintage Door (on Etsy). This was my first time working with their trim, and I love the special finishing touch it gives. I probably could have pinned the trim onto the project and machine sewed all the way around from the front, but I was concerned that I would miss on the back side. So I just unfolded their trim and pressed it open a bit. Then I applied it like I normally would apply binding by machine sewing to the front, folding over, and hand finishing on the back. 
Next I turned to Lori Holt’s book “Farmgirl Vintage” for block ideas for my runner. Lori’s Apron Strings block seemed like the perfect choice, as it would allow all of these prints and colors to meld together happily. \”Farmgirl Vintage\” is a wonderful book full of great blocks and projects.  It is published by It\’s Sew Emma.

My runner is made up of four 12-inch Apron Strings blocks which I quilted with Aurifil 2437 (50wt).  Note: when I cut my squares for the block, I cut them on the bias so that the words would be on the 45-degree angle of the apron strings.  Just a tip from me to you should you have directional fabric that you really want to shine! 
The finished runner measures at 48 1/2” x 12 1/2”.  I began with nine 1/4 yard cuts and still have a smidge of each print left over.

For now, I have these pretty pieces collected together in a spot in my sewing room.  But I\’m hoping to maybe repaint an old desk and find a window spot in my home to set up a little \”slow down\” nook. 



Thank you to the kind folks at Riley Blake Designs for letting me play with this lovely new line.  And thank you all for stopping by the blog to see what I\’ve been sewing.  I hope it provided some inspiration for projects you might like to try!

Two of my awesome blog sponsors carry this line, so I hope you\’ll visit them if you are looking to purchase Vintage Daydream:


Have a great day, and get carried away quilting soon!

~Taunja



16 thoughts on “Vintage Daydream: Fabric that inspires

  1. Not only do I love these projects, but your idea of a \”slow down nook\” is something I think we all can use in our use lives. Using this pretty line of fabric makes it even more happy and appealing to anchor the spot. Love your post here today. It made me smile 😊. Thanks for the share and have a nice day. Off to order some of this fabric from your links

  2. Oh my, what lovely little pretties! And you are so right, the little floral hankies on the fabric are so simply sweet!!! So glad I'm visiting as I get too \”oooh and aaah\” over all of your beautiful creations!!

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