About

I am a crazy Nana–crazy about my four grandchildren,crazy about sewing for them, crazy about showing their pictures. I’m also crazy about my husband, our grown children and their wonderful spouses.  Long schooled in heirloom sewing techniques and philosophy, I envisioned my grandchildren being clothed daily in Swiss batiste, pima cotton, linen and lace.  My wake up call came when I saw the unnecessary stress this put on my precious daughter-in-law as she juggled two babies just 15 months apart.

Suddenly, polycottons  offered new appeal and I am on constant look out for “easy care” 100% cottons which tumble dry for a presentable look. Of course, I still use heirloom quality natural fibers for special occasion clothing, but I am sensitive to the never ending demands on a young mother’s time.  This has resulted in my change of direction to “modern projects” for this old fashioned Nana.

All of my adult life has been spent in central Paradise (that’s Florida for non-native Floridians) with my fabulous husband.   Weeks after college graduation (Bob from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, {electrical and mechanical engineering}, Janice from Northern Illinois University {English and history}) and our June wedding, we both joined the work force and enrolled in graduate school. Bob earned a master’s degree in engineering from University of Florida (Go Gators!).  My Stetson University master’s degree is in education.  The first two of our honeymoon years were spent at a double desk, side by side, studying.  Bob worked as a systems engineer and I taught handicapped children for six years until a few months before our first child was born.

Since 1972 we have lived on three acres in the country in the 1926 house where our children, Ryan and  Rebecca, were raised with so much joy and fun.  Bob and I love gardening and enjoy our yard best when the dogs and grandchildren are running wild, romping in the playground area, splashing in the pool, imaginating in the tree house or picking oranges for a snack.  We are in grandparent paradise with these children.

I am passionate about my faith, my family, my friends, my home, my sewing and teaching. For three years my two older grandchildren, now 12 and 14, came daily to Nana’s Homeschool.  Teaching them to read and to love learning was one of the most exciting, fun, and satisfying experiences of my life. When their mother found her teaching legs they were schooled at home until they entered public school in 6th and 7th grade.

This blog is dedicated to my love of sewing for my  grandchildren and, occasionally, my adult children, my home, and my church. I hope you enjoy it.

Professional bio:  In addition to teaching  machine embroidery, quilting and heirloom sewing throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and Australia, I have written and designed extensively for Creative Needle, Sew Beautiful, Round Bobbin, Quilters’ Newsletter, Quilt World  and Vogue Pattern Magazine. My creations have been featured on PBS’s Martha’s Sewing Room and I appeared in a few PBS sewing shows.  The heirloom sewing product “lace tape”  was developed and marketed by me before selling the business to Wendy Schoen.

Because of my long awaited and precious four grandchildren,  I have curtailed on-the-road teaching.    Most of the time, I am at home in central Florida, playing with and sewing for Laurel, Robert, Alastair, and Vivian Rose.

I’m excited about my newest role as regular contributor to Brother’s new blog, Stitching Sewcial.  This site is chock full of projects, tips, and inspiration for every genre of sewing.  Machine embroidery (my area), quilting, garment construction, foot of the month, and more are topics covered in the blog posts.

Please check out my project tutorials–

I’d reeeeally appreciate it if you would leave a comment under the post if it strikes your fancy.

I love to hear from readers at Stitching Sewcial or here at Janice Ferguson Sews.  Leave a comment at the end of a post or write to me at NCcabin@aol.com.  Thanks for reading my blog.  I appreciate every reader.