BIRD TOWELS AND SOMETHING EXTRA

Looking through one of my favorite sources for graphics, The Graphics Fairy, I came upon a few vintage bird graphics that I knew would look great printed out onto some natural 100% cotton osnaburg.  So I made a couple "patches" using one with a swallow on an old advertisement for chocolates, and another showing two lovebirds on a nest.  The heart and arrow on the second graphic is a good one to use for Valentine's Day projects.  You can find them here, at the Graphics Fairy website. Just do a search for any topic and you'll find it on this blog - she has everything!

  Make sure you use Leslie Riley/TAP paper, it does iron on transfers without the shine and plastic-like feel you want for a project like this.  I find mine at our local art supply store, or you can also order it online. 

Then, I machine hemmed two towels out of 100% cotton toile to a finished size of 21" x 29".  Then printed out the bird graphics on Transfer Artist Paper.  After ironing under the edges of the patch, I machine stitched it to a corner of the towel.  The patches are about 4" x 6".

  Add a little fabric loop for hanging . . .

 And don't forget to miter the corners for a clean finish.

And here's the 

SOMETHING EXTRA!

Using the same toile fabric, make a little 9" x 9" pillowcase.

Slip in a square of cork (you can buy cork by the roll at places like Michaels).

And you have a pretty (and washable) fabric trivet for your table.

Not only does this look nice, but it doesn't slip around on your table, AND it's washable!  Just slip out the cork, wash, and replace the cork.  Make it out of a fabric that coordinates with your dishes or wallpaper.