I started my Halloween crafting early this year (as in, August). While browsing Craftster one day, I saw sign-ups for a Vintage Halloween Swap and promptly submitted my information. (It’s so much easier to rush the season if you’ve got a whole gang of Halloween-crazed crafters with you. In fact, I’d argue this was hardly rushing it at all, considering some grocery stores are selling eggnog. Yes, the Christmas beverage.)
My partner indicated she didn’t have a specific era of vintage in mind – which made my job simultaneously easier and more difficult – but mentioned that she was setting up a Halloween tree in her house this year and would like something to hang on it.
I found the patterns for these guys on Etsy. The set also included a cat and a piece of candy corn (neither of which were included in my partner’s preferred motifs). Their original size was approximately 2 1/2 – 3″ at the widest point; I scanned each pattern piece at 150% to get a slightly more substantial finished product. It’s really hard to see all the details in the photo, but trust me when I say:
- the jack o’lantern’s features and the bat’s eyes are sparkly
- the bat’s wing veins and blanket stitching are metallic purple (the better to glint off the Halloween tree lights, if there are any)
- the ghost’s blanket stitching plus the bat’s fangs might look benign, but in fact glow in the dark. I did not get a shot of them glowing, sorry.
The pompom garland was a happy eleventh-hour addition. I was cruising the store for some little extras to tuck into her package when I happened upon bags of Halloween-themed pompoms, and couldn’t resist them.
They made a cute Halloween tree starter-set, but I was concerned that nothing had a truly vintage feel, which is why I started browsing Pinterest for vintage embroidery patterns.
Because doesn’t everyone need a hand-embroidered tea towel? I kept this pretty simple, with backstitch for pretty much everything except a little satin stitch to give the carving a warm, glow-y feeling.
It was a spook-tacular (sorry!) start to the Halloween season; stay tuned for more.
Thanks for looking! 🙂
The Witty Child 
Those are absolutely adorable! You have a very lucky swap-partner.
Thank you! It’s always fun to make up something I wouldn’t ordinarily do for myself. 🙂
At this point I feel stores should just go all the way and just have all the holidays all the time, its just so silly now.
Love your little crafts! SO CUTE.
Aww, thank you!
And I’m inclined to agree with your theory – at Michael’s today, Halloween was already clearing out at 50% off. They could save themselves so much trouble just keeping it out.