Sewing with oilcloth: [20 patterns that make sewing with oilcloth easy, fresh, and fun]

158 Pages·2011·101.998 MB·English

by  McCants, Kelly;McSweeney, Meghan

Crafts & Hobbies/Sewing
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20 patterns that make sewing aa
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with oilcloth easy, fresh, and fun
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If you’re intrigued by the variety of oilcloths available today—true oilcloth, laminated cottons, and chalk cloth—you’ll love w
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Sewing with Oilcloth. Inside you’ll find easy-to-follow instructions, special tips and tricks needed to get the most out of these fabrics, n
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unique applications for each type, and expert instruction on how to treat and care for the finished pieces.
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From home goods to accessories and from baby gear to outdoor décor, you’ll find sewing projects that unlock the potential of both th i l c o t h
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traditional and new designer prints. You’ll follow along with helpful, trouble-free instructions to sew oilcloth projects like a simple
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tablecloth, garden apron, farmers market tote, baby bib, and so much more. c
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Whether you’re a seasoned stitcher or just starting out in the exciting world of sewing with oilcloth, this one-of-a-kind book gives you h
everything you need to create unique pieces with this specialty fabric.
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Kelly McCants is the go-to guru on working with oilcloth. Known online as both Oilcloth Addict and Modern June, Kelly has a back- atat
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ground in theater costuming and a special love for oilcloth. She stays busy running her blogs, operating her online stores, and managing her ss

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$18.99 USA/$22.99 CAN rr
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Cover Design: Wendy Mount , a, a
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Cover Photography: Meghan McSweeney dd

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Kelly McCants
978-0-470-91232-4_RB

Sewing
with Oilcloth
Kelly McCants
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Copyright © 2011 by Kelly McCants. All rights reserved.
Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2011930293
Photography
ISBN: 978-0-470-91232-4 (pbk)
Meghan McSweeney
ISBN: 978-1-118-08881-4 (ebk)
Graphics Printed in the United States
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Brent Savage Book production by Wiley Publishing, Inc. Composition Services
Laura Campbell
Kelly McCants’s original patterns are intended for noncommercial, personal use only and may not be
Rashell Smith used in the production of goods for sale in any quantity.
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Acknowledgments
I
must say that this dreamy endeavor was a true labor of love, and A big thanks goes out to my wonderful models—thanks for
I couldn’t have done it without my family, friends, and my great making this book shine. To Ono Mangano-Parent, who wore sweaters
team of experts! in the heat and bare arms in the cold, thank you! To Kirsten and
Miriam Schueler, thank you for icing cookies for me and making me
Roxane Cerda, you are spectacular. Th ank you for believing in
smile. To Baby Leo Kim, what can I say? You’re just dreamy in every
me and getting my oilcloth addiction out to the world. Charlotte
way possible. To my lunch buddies, Owen and Emerson Ayers, thank
Kughen, your patience and mad editing skills are exactly what a
you for eating up a few snacks for me. To my dear, sweet daughter
fi rst-time writer needs. Th ank you both for holding my hand every
Maddie, who lent a hand and a shoulder when we needed you most!
step of the way. Stefanie Von Borstel, at Full Circle Literary, thanks
for guiding me through my fi rst book with ease and grace. It was an A special thanks to the following people who helped me visualize
honor and a pleasure to work with you all. To Meghan McSweeney, the projects: Marc and Tony of Feathernesters, thank you for your
my photographer, I can’t thank you enough! You’re talented beyond support over the last fi ve wonderful years. You were the fi rst to believe
measure and a joy to work with. Your spirit is just as lovely as your in Modern June and that still means the world to me. Th anks for letting
photos. us crash your gorgeous shop to take some wonderful pictures. Th anks
to my neighbor Susie for the use of her lovely front porch and to
To my husband, Don, thank you for knowing more about trim
SewOno.com for lending us some lovely Eco Apparel. A big thanks goes
and notions than any nonsewer on the planet. Th ank you for all those
out to Carolyn Boutchyard Young for the days that she off ered up her
last-minute trips to the fabric shop. Th ank you for surprising me with
gorgeous home and farm; your kindness and hospitality are inspiring.
special caff einated and chocolaty treats—those treats and your hugs
got me through the many late nights that led up to my deadlines. Lastly, I would like to thank my Grr (Grandmother Lewis).
Most importantly, I need to thank you for being honest about the You made my childhood a happy one. Th ank you for the late-night
projects in this book. Your opinions and suggestions are the reasons games, the trips to the library, the no-bake chocolate oatmeal
why the projects got better with every mock-up! You’re the best cookies, and my love of aprons. If it weren’t for your aqua gingham
Mr. Modern June a girl could hope for! I love you. apron, there wouldn’t be a Modern June. I miss you every single day!
Th is book is for you, Grr.
To my great kids, Maddie and Aidan, thank you for cheering
me through the long work days and sleepy mornings. Th anks for XOXOXO,
giving each project your seal of approval with such enthusiasm. Th e
Kelly
support and patience you give me every day makes me proud to be
your momma. You inspire me to follow my dreams—I do what I do
both “because of” and “for” you.
Wiley Publishing would like to thank the following people
To my Junies, I know each one of you lovely ladies has had my for their invaluable help in testing projects in this book prior to
back every step of the way! Th ank you, Dawn Anderson, Kathy publication:
Longbricco, Nicole Lee, Ono Mangano-Parent, Amy Martinez,
Jennifer Dyson, Mary Carley, and last, but not least, Janet Devoss. ● Melanie Tenore, who can be found at her website at
Honestly, I couldn’t do it without you all! To my mommy-friends
www.projectanthologies.com
who helped me problem-solve, listened to me kvetch, and hugged
● April Kennedy
me when I needed it most. What can I say? Most of what happens at
the picnic table stays at the picnic table! ● April Forshee
● Nicole Lee
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Table of Contents
Introduction 3 Chapter 3: For You 58
Makeup Bag 60
Chapter 1: Tools, Tips, and Trims 4
Wallet 65
Farmers Market Tote 71
Tools 6
Messenger Bag 78
Tips 8
Sandwich Wrapper 86
Trims 10
Snack Bag 90
Chapter 2: For the House 14 Insulated Lunch Bag 95
Simple Tablecloth 16 Chapter 4: For Kids 100
Chalk Cloth Table Runner 22
Baby Bib 102
Storage Bins 26
Splat Mat 108
Chalk Cloth Labels 33
Art Smock 111
Garden Apron 36
Mommy and Me Aprons 116
Seat Cushions 42
Party Banners 48
Pattern Pieces 122
Pillow Cover 52
Index 151
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Introduction
I
fi rst discovered oilcloth in 2006 after an acquaintance mentioned Oilcloth contains phthalates and is not to be used for projects
that she was making oilcloth seat cushions (see page 42 for the intended for children under the age of 12—so for those projects I
seat cushion project) for the kitchen nook of her 1950s colonial. I use laminated cotton. Laminated cotton is a rather new fabric to
never laid eyes on her kitchen, but just the sound of it sparked a fi re the market. It’s a friendly fabric for children’s projects and food
that has led up to this very book. For months, I searched high and items, and it is CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement
low in local fabric shops as I looked for oilcloth to no avail. Finally Act) compliant. Th is thinner and more supple oilcloth is a high-
after an Internet search and an online buy later, I was hooked. quality quilt-weight cotton print that’s coated with a thin layer of
polyurethane on the fabric’s right side. Along with both types of
At fi rst I made market totes to sell at the Farmers Market, and
oilcloth projects, I’ve included some that require chalk cloth, which is
then I made aprons. By the next year I was a full-fl edged “Oilcloth
another vinyl product you can use as a chalkboard surface.
Addict,” thriving on the challenge of fi nding new projects for the
slick stuff . Nothing makes me happier than fi nding something new In my fi ve years of selling my Modern June oilcloth wares and
to do with oilcloth! So here, just for you, I have created 20 fresh new Oilcloth Addict yardage, I have heard some of the most amazing
projects to make with oilcloth and its close cousins laminated cotton stories. As my customers touch and feel oilcloth, it takes them back
and chalk cloth. in time. Th ey speak of their mothers, aunts, and grandmothers.
Th ey recall family trips to Woolworth’s to get a new oilcloth for the
Oilcloth has evolved a lot over the centuries. In the Middle Ages
kitchen table. One woman said that her mother went to Woolworth’s
through the Civil War, oilcloth was made with an expensive but
every year for a new roll of oilcloth, while another’s mom went
sturdy cotton fabric that was coated in layers and layers of various
only when her oilcloth was worn and torn. I was told by one man
oils. Oilcloth was used to cover windows, tables, roofs, and fl oors, as
that he had “eaten many a bad meal on oilcloth.” My kids can say
well as for making sturdy waterproof clothing. During the Industrial
the same thing, as I am a designer but not a cook. For me, oilcloth
Revolution, factories began manufacturing a more modern and
is all about making memories, and to me the greatest thing in the
resilient oilcloth by permeating cotton mesh with vinyl. Victorian
world is living a life full of happy memories. I hope this book and
women could order ready-made oilcloth for 15 cents a yard from the
its projects will help you create an even happier home, fi lled with
Sears and Roebuck catalog. By the early 1900s the Standard Table
exciting celebrations and all the comfort of new and old traditions
Oilcloth Company became the largest manufacturer of oilcloth in
using oilcloth.
the world, and rolls of oilcloth were displayed alongside other fabrics
of the day. In the 1930s, publications such as Popular Mechanics Many crafty thanks,
published projects for oilcloth that included room dividers,
Kelly
doorstops, and shoe organizers. Later in the 1950s, women all over
I’d love to share your fi nished projects on the fl ickr page dedicated to
the U.S. headed off to their local fi ve-and-dimes to get oilcloth for
Sewing with Oilcloth. For details check out modernjune.blogspot.com or
their tables, shelves, and other crafty endeavors.
oilclothaddict.blogspot.com.
Today, most oilcloth found in the U.S. is imported from Mexico.
Its bright and bold prints have existed south of the border for
decades, but they are as fresh and festive for our modern homes as
they were 50 years ago. Today’s oilcloth is a PVC product (meaning
it contains polyvinyl chloride). It’s waterproof and sturdy so it wears
long and hard.
3
Introduction
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1
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