tiny happy

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‘tiny happy’ was a journal of my handmade life from 2006-2025.

transferred

Transfer 1

Transfer 2

Transfer 3

I've been collecting these pieces of old linen for a while now, from junk shops and our local recycling centre. They're cream and crisp in texture, and were printed with embroidery transfers- probably a long time ago. I washed them a couple of times to check the transfers were permanent, and they were, along with some of the old fold lines and other marks that show the linen's character and age.

I love the transfers- they're faded in some places and a deeper grey in others- and the patterns are so old-fashioned and lovely. Yet I know I won't get around to embroidering over the transfers, so I decided to use the linen as I would a printed fabric. On the weekend I sewed some of them into these drawstring pouches to give as gifts. 

I hope you had a good weekend!

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30 responses to “transferred”

  1. Margaret Oomen Avatar
    Margaret Oomen

    those would be the most beautiful gifts

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  2. Rosa in The Antipodes Avatar
    Rosa in The Antipodes

    You’ve done it again, Melissa! Seriously awesome!

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  3. Lovely World Avatar
    Lovely World

    I like the look of these. I suppose all kinds of treasures could be placed within.

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  4. Jenni Avatar
    Jenni

    these are lovely melissa & I have used the same tranferred linen on the bodies of some new dolls.
    the designs for these embroideries are just as beautiful not done aren’t they!

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  5. lotus Avatar
    lotus

    Very sweet. I love the natural look x

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  6. Francesca Avatar
    Francesca

    What a splendid idea! Those embroidery transfers are still very popular in this country, there’s even a monthly magazine that has several insert pages dedicated to them.

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  7. Jessicah Avatar
    Jessicah

    I always pick them up when I see them! I plan to embroider one for my sisters 21st gift, but this is a neat idea to use them otherwise.

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  8. louana Avatar
    louana

    oh you are so clever! I’ve got a couple but none as pretty as these, what great little bags perfect for all sorts of treasures

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  9. flowerpress Avatar
    flowerpress

    Aren’t they great!

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  10. KP Avatar
    KP

    Love them – so simple yet so full of history and meaning….

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  11. fiona Avatar
    fiona

    they’re lovely!

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  12. caireen Avatar
    caireen

    lovely xx

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  13. Karen at sew and sow life Avatar
    Karen at sew and sow life

    so soft and gentle and lovely.

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  14. monkeemoomoo Avatar
    monkeemoomoo

    These are so beautiful, what a clever idea. I love them.

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  15. Mary Avatar
    Mary

    These are so gorgeous – I love the curving eyelets as much as the flowers! This bag design is fantastic, I get so excited every time I see a new version of it :^)

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  16. samantha hall Avatar
    samantha hall

    I love the printed drawstring fabric. It is a great twist. I’ve never seen that printed linen but I’ll have to keep my eyes open.

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  17. Denise | Chez Danisse Avatar
    Denise | Chez Danisse

    Very pretty.

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  18. Jacilyn Avatar
    Jacilyn

    Yes, I love how they look just a printed textile. The bags turned out great.

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  19. Melbourne Road Avatar
    Melbourne Road

    what a creative way to use the transfer linens…beautiful
    Lori

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  20. aupres de mon arbre Avatar
    aupres de mon arbre

    It’s so lovely that I thought one second you drew flowers yourself. There is always so gentle mind in what you do. It’s really beautifull. Happy whose you will offer !

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  21. hands follow heart Avatar
    hands follow heart

    So delicate and yet full of character. They’ll make very beautiful gift wraps. Lucky recipients!
    Luciana

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  22. Eyecatchers Avatar
    Eyecatchers

    What great little gifts these would make!

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  23. Lyndy Avatar
    Lyndy

    Like you I have a stash of these in my cupboard – and whilst it would be nice to think I would stitch them it may not happen. What you have done makes me think of other possibilities for these little gems.

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  24. Ana Avatar
    Ana

    They are lovely!. It would be great if you could post some small tutorial on how to make those drastring pouches with the contrasting chanels?. I would love to make some.

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  25. Carol Avatar
    Carol

    You have reminded me of something I was intending to do – I have lots of paper transfers (inherited from Mum) and I was going to embroider some hankies for a friend who was complaining she couldn’t find any “pretty handkerchiefs”.
    Off to search them out right now.
    I like how you are using the linens with transfers to create pouches, I’m sure they will be lovely, like all your work.
    Carol xx

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  26. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    What a good idea! I always see these at thrift shops, and never thought to just use them for the designs without embroidering them. Cute, cute, cute.

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  27. lynsey aka swirlyarts Avatar
    lynsey aka swirlyarts

    Morning! I just wanted to let you know that I have featured these on Cuteable this morning – they are fabulous 🙂
    Lynsey x
    http://cuteable.com/

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  28. kindred spirits Avatar
    kindred spirits

    Wish you were my friend so i could receive some of your fabulous things as pressie’s x

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  29. dls Avatar
    dls

    These bags are just beautiful. I collect vintage linens and always love the printed instructions on the edges…… sometimes I embroidery the instructions…. it’s part of the history of the piece. Thanks for sharing!

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  30. new air max Avatar
    new air max

    Interesting post, keep up the great work. more writers like you are needed on the blogosphere

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