Category Archives: clothing

Toddler Harvest Dress and Gingerbread Houses

Posted on November 17, 2014 | Leave a comment

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This little top was made for toddler granddaughter Vivian Rose to wear to her brother’s kindergarten Thanksgiving program and then to Thanksgiving dinner.

It is another Children’s Corner Jane, my current go-to pattern, especially for garments which have a limited wearing season.  It is so quick and easy.

Jane patt

The cute little pocket is a free pattern creation of Children’s Corner designer Lezette Thomason.  The top will be paired with a pair of snug black or orange leggings.  These are still required for our little darling who can be counted on to release the velcro on her cloth diaper and remove it but for this wardrobe addition.  “Naked Baby” is her signature fashion statement.

It has been more than two weeks since a new Janice Ferguson Sews post has appeared, but not because I have done no sewing.  Enormous, terribly frustrating computer problems have plagued me as I struggled through two computers-my old one and then a defective new one.   This third one (second new) seems to be functioning well so now I am back to blogging.   Hurrah!

NANA FUN

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Houses feature Golden Graham roof shingles, caramel chimneys and pillar posts, and two yellow landing lights on a roof.

Continue reading →

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Posted in Basic no-embroidery Machine Projects, girls, Holiday Projects, Nana fun

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‘Tween Purses

Posted on November 1, 2014 | 2 comments

Lately, I’ve been busy checking off a few items on my to-do list by making purses requested by my 10 yo granddaughter,Laurel.  She is delighted with each and every one.   Most were sewn using  Zippy Designs in-the-hoop purse patterns.  I really like this collection which comes in three shapes and multiple sizes.

 

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From Zippy Designz Rik Rak purse design, I made this Gator bag for granddaughter to carry to the big game. It goes with the vest shown below. After I took this picture I remembered that I had a card of gator button from Farmhouse Fabrics. Now one of those buttons hangs from the orange ribbon loop.

 

It’s always hot for the first games of the season so she wore this retail vest with a Gator blue shirt.

 

Gator vest

 

 

After the Gator bag, Laurel asked me to make purses to go with her church dresses.  She has asthma and allergies so she needs to carry an inhaler and  handkerchief with her, along with the required hair brush.  I always pack her purses with Dove chocolates which she shares with her friends at Sunday School. Continue reading →

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Posted in bags, girls, machine embroidery, sporting gear

Halloween “Jane”

Posted on October 22, 2014 | 10 comments
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“Candy Corn Cutie” design is from Embroidtique.

Children’s Corner Jane has got to be one of my all-time favorite patterns.  When it comes to play clothes or holidays with a short-wearing season, this is my go-to.

It is so quick and easy that I made two Jane tops for toddler granddaughter Vivian Rose.  Two!!!!

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Poor placement of text on fabric.  It would have been so much more readable if it had been embroidered on the almost white stripe.

Continue reading →

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Posted in girls, Holiday Projects, linen blanks, machine embroidery, school accessories, sporting gear

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Novelty Bishop~A Novel Technique

Posted on October 17, 2014 | 2 comments

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This little novelty bishop and two others were loaned to a friend many years ago. I had forgotten all about them until they were returned last week. Of course, they will end up in the closet of our toddler granddaughter, Vivian Rose, though most of them will have a bit of a wait until she grows into them.

Vivi will probably be 4 or 5 before she wears this classic plaid school dress.

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Excuse the ugly section of my potting shed shown in the background. It really is nicer than that. See here.

I don’t know what happened to the Liberty bishop shown below. Continue reading →

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Posted in Basic no-embroidery Machine Projects, girls, Second Time Around, smocking, techniques

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Beach Baby Outfit

Posted on September 26, 2014 | 7 comments
I like the way the rick rack bordered yo-yo sun turned out but wish I had placed it further to the side.

I like the way the rick rack bordered yo-yo sun turned out but wish I had placed it further to the side.

 

Though we’ve been extraordinarily busy, we took a moment to enjoy our first sort-of fall day here in Central Florida.  We actually turned off the AC and our hairy dog Hannah enjoyed napping on the breakfast porch instead of inside.

But after that brief moment, I was off to our son’s house to work on costumes.  Our 10 yo drama-loving granddaughter, Laurel, has written a woodland play which is in high gear production now.  As director, she had her cast of 8 girls alternately rehearsing and working on their leafy, nature-themed costumes.   I was busy sewing a shaggy white fleece stripe down the chipmunk’s brown hoodie and making a pastel colored mane for the unicorn. Who knew that 25 years after purchasing a fringe fork I would finally need and use it?

It was such fun to see all those junior thespians alternately rehearsing their scenes and working on their fairy, gnome, and evil witch’s outfits.  They had scored big at the local Goodwill where they found most of the foundations for their costumes.

But back to fall and the beach baby outfit. Continue reading →

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Posted in Disney, Disney projects, infant clothing, machine embroidery

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New Ariel Design and Outfit

Posted on September 11, 2014 | 6 comments

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This bright little outfit features one of Disney’s favorite princesses, Ariel.  Another new Brother design, it is impressively fresh and current.

The pattern for the top is the girl’s jumper from Applique, Martha’s Favorites. Continue reading →

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Posted in Disney, Disney projects, girls, machine embroidery

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Modern Minnie Chills

Posted on September 5, 2014 | 16 comments

minnie chill

 

Have you seen Brother’s  new Disney designs?  I absolutely love them.  So many of them are fresh and contemporary, so well suited to the styles of the day.  As you can see, Minnie is not just black and red any more, but she could still rock those colors  if you like.

 

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Posted in Disney, Disney projects, girls, machine embroidery

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Fishy Swim Suit & Sewing Log

Posted on September 1, 2014 | 7 comments

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This little ready-to-wear swim suit was embroidered for granddaughter Vivian Rose early in the summer.  Like all Florida children, it is vitally important that she learn to swim and her lessons were beginning in earnest.  Of course, wearing this she was one cute little fishy, but I have no photos of her wearing it.

UPDATE:  My sweet daughter just sent this photo.

 

Vivian Rose ready to take the plunge.

Vivian Rose ready to take the plunge.

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Posted in girls, machine embroidery

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Blue Bows~Handlooms and Swiss Embroideries

Posted on August 27, 2014 | 11 comments

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Originally posted in 2011…

Stitching a nightgown is always a pleasure.  Often made as gifts for birthdays, holidays or bridal showers, pretty sleepwear is appreciated by ladies old and young.

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This gown was made for my daughter when she was a teenager.  The pattern, Mary Lydia, is an old, all time favorite of mine.

Its versatility allows you to use goods of any width.  The armhole curve is placed over the finished fancyband and dips into the skirt fabric.  It is also suitable for a sundress.

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SWISS HANDLOOM blue bow insertion on back yoke

 

 

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SWISS HANDLOOM blue bow insertion on front yoke

 

Made of all Swiss goods–batiste, galoon beading, blue bow handloom insertion and edging–it is guaranteed to present sweet dreams.

This handloom is one of my all time favorites.

 

SWISS HANDLOOM. It is exactly like hand stitched shadow embroidery.

SWISS HANDLOOM. It is exactly like hand stitched shadow embroidery.

————– Continue reading →

11 Comments

Posted in heirloom sewing, ladies, Tutorials

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Church Dress for Laurel

Posted on August 8, 2014 | 15 comments
Children's Corner Lillian in white linen

Children’s Corner Lillian in white linen

 

Almost overnight, Laurel has grown into a young lady and outgrown all of her church dresses.     She is taller and definitely matured beyond the little girl dresses I love to sew.  I am grateful that there are patterns for tasteful big girl dresses like this Children’s Corner Lillian. Continue reading →

15 Comments

Posted in girls, machine embroidery