Here’s Jessica…
When Liz & Elizabeth asked me to be a part of their Vintage Challenge, I was thrilled! I don’t usually work with vintage items, and thought this was a great opportunity to think outside of the box from what my usual creations tend to be. I admire their blog so much, and am always checking out their newest creations. Their eye for vintage, patterns, and photography lured me in, and I have been a supporter and follower ever since!
When I received my package, I was pleasantly surprised to see what it contained. Such an incredible variety of vintage items that it immediately got my creative juices flowing! I absolutely fell in love with the hand embroidered table runner, and it nearly broke my heart to cut it up! But it got me thinking, how could I use this embroidery to my advantage? And after looking at how frayed the edges had become, I no longer held back with the scissors – lol.
In keeping with Simple Simon’s favorite theme, Vintage, I give you the Vintage Challenge Jumper…
I found a gorgeous soft golden cotton that matched the embroidery on the runner exactly, and ran from there. Not colors I would typically work with, but they definitely come from another time. A time when kids ran free in fields of dandelions, and collected food from homemade gardens for dinner. 
I used the runner for the bodice, and as much as it killed me – I cut the embroidered lady up so that I could fit pieces of her onto a matching belt, lining it with the vintage bias tape. The fat quarter I used for the handkerchief hair piece, lining that with the vintage lace trim. But by far, my favorite were the buttons. In order to bring them to life, I used a different method for the straps, using the bias tape as loops, and adding an additional embroidery stitch around the straps to make them look more vintage as well. 
Altogether, I am really pleased with how this pattern turned out. I plan on using it again with more contemporary fabrics for a more modern, every day appeal!
For your free tutorial to create the Vintage Jumper, click HERE.
Thanks again for having me as part of your Vintage Challenge! I had a blast 🙂
Jessica, your project is DARLING! Thanks for being a part of our challenge! I love the orange and pink together, it’s one of my favorite combos lately–it just looks so summery.
Oh no. I have to follow this tomorrow?!?!?!? AAAAHHH!!! I WANT OUT!!! Seriously, Jessica, that is incredible! It’s funny that you wrote that you hated to cut it up–that was my exact first thought when I got my package, too–“How on earth am I supposed to cut up this beautiful material?!” But it’s a good thing you mustered up the strength to wield those scissors because look what you did with it! Incredible!
Rachel @ Maybe Matilda
Absolutely gorgeous…I adore the colors…and you used your items sooooo well…
Ummmm…jealous…
I’m also a big fan of the pink and mustard combo. And that belt is loads of fun. Thank you for making such an awesome project!
The color combo, the belt, the bodice, everything just screams yesteryear! I love it. Amazing job Jessica!
oh so cute! those pants are super cute! my girls would love those!!!
~selina
That outfit is just adorable!!!! I love it! I often have vintage items given to me and have yet to bring myself to cut anything (except fabric :))! I’m glad to see they can be used to create a new beautiful item! Gives me hope that my scissors will be used for good.