Category Archives: clothing

Sweet Baby Jane (Vivian Rose) Bubble

Posted on February 2, 2013 | 5 comments

Ahhhhhh…I’ve just returned home from spending a few days helping my daughter Rebecca with new baby Vivian Rose and Alastair, 3.  I miss them already.

At Rebecca’s special request, I had made up the Sweet Baby Jane bubble pattern by Sara Norris.  And then I forgot to pack it.  She was disappointed, but it will go out to her in Monday’s mail.

 

SBJ bubble front crop

 

 

This darling pattern first came to my attention when I saw Lisa’s adorable interpretation which was shown on her blog,  Mommy’s Apron Strings.  A few days later, I met my friend Suzanne Sawko for our regular Monday “meeting” for lunch at Panera.  She shared photos of the Sweet Baby Jane she had made for her sweet grandbaby Waverly.  I bought the pattern that day. Continue reading →

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Posted in infant clothing

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Tiny Baby Vests

Posted on January 29, 2013 | 16 comments
baby undershirt vests

baby undershirt vests

 

These little shirts and a few more were purchased on my last teaching trip to Australia in 1997.   I had never before seen anything like them for sale in the USA so I snatched up a half dozen in two infant sizes– small and smaller.  I wish I had bought more. Continue reading →

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Posted in hand embroidery, infant clothing

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Easter Dresses from the Past

Posted on January 24, 2013 | 15 comments

Courtney wrote a sweet note asking about Easter dresses I have made in the past.  For her 2 year old daughter, she is designing an heirloom confection for this same celebration.  She was curious about my granddaughter Laurel’s earlier special frocks.

bunny bubble

 

She was just 10 months old, crawling at lightning speed when her first Easter rolled around.  A bubble seemed to be the most sensible solution for a baby who spent most of her waking moments on her knees.  For details of this little outfit, headband and matching bib for Easter dinner, see the post Baby Bunny Bubble.

 

 

1st birthday~Easter dress

 

Laurel’s first birthday was two months later.  She was toddling around, making it easy for me to justify making the heirloom dress of my dreams.  I absolutely loved making  this.  For details and more photos than you will want to look at, check the post First Birthday Dress.

 

slip

 

For me, the matching slip was the finishing touch.

Her second Easter fell just a few months before our daughter’s wedding, Continue reading →

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Posted in boys, girls, heirloom sewing, machine embroidery, ready-to-smock finished projects, shadow work by machine, smocking

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Pink Petal Daygown

Posted on January 21, 2013 | 4 comments

Vivian Rose, 5 days old, in vintage pink petal daygown.  Her gorgeous blanket was knit by her paternal grandmother, Oma.

 

Vivian Rose is wearing a vintage Swiss batiste daygown from my little collection of antique and vintage baby garments.  Unlike everything I have made her, it fits  perfectly.

Some time ago, the gown was featured in an earlier blog post.  In case you missed or forgot all about it, here are the details of this pretty little dress.

 

 

This sweet antique daygown hangs with its age-appropriate companions on one of the two the twig swags in my upstairs grandbaby nursery. Continue reading →

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Posted in clothing, hand embroidery, heirloom sewing, infant clothing

Sweet Bunny Knit Nightie

Posted on January 19, 2013 | 11 comments

 

Vivian Rose 6 days old

Vivian Rose 6 days old

 

This hand-me-down sleeper/nightie was made for Alastair almost 4 years ago.  Because of the soft Sea Island cotton knit fabric, the comfortable fit and ease when dressing or diapering Baby it is a favorite outfit. The nightie still looks like new on Vivian Rose, even after heavy laundering in Alastair’s infant era.

 

 

pi_CC237BunnysKnitNightieAltLg

Pattern cover for Bunny Knit Nightie and Accessories by Children’s Corner

Continue reading →

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Posted in infant clothing, serger

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Smocked Polka Dot Gown~My Attempt at “Contemporary”

Posted on January 14, 2013 | 11 comments


As I began planning Vivian Rose’s layette,  I pulled out my favorite baby patterns, including this Baby’s Smocked Layette.    Making it was just a pleasure.

I love this pattern.   Because of the simple design an excellent directions, the gown practically falls together.  I especially like the illustration of the drawn up neckline in preparation for binding.  It includes precise measurements for the width of the front and sleeves at the neckline.  The back opening buttons all the way down to the hem, making it easy to dress Baby. Continue reading →

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Posted in infant clothing, serger, smocking

Baby Comes Home

Posted on January 11, 2013 | 15 comments
Vivian Rose sleeps sweetly in spite of he jaundice.

Vivian Rose at home, sleeping sweetly in spite of her jaundice.

 

Vivian Rose is home with her family and I am here helping, but mostly enjoying this precious baby. Of course, she is beautiful and strong, and we are pretty sure she can talk and read. She just chooses not to.

This polycotton daygown, which was intended as an everyday, utility frock, was promoted to Coming Home Outfit  because the other garments– of   Swiss batiste, Swiss flannel, dotted Swiss stripe, and Liberty  were much too large.  Even this newborn-3 month size enveloped her like a gunny sack. Frankly,  I think the yellow Old Fashioned Baby gown would have been the best fit.  But yellow is not a good color for a baby with significant jaundice. Continue reading →

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Posted in heirloom sewing, infant clothing, ready-to-smock finished projects, smocking

OFB Daygown with Petit Point Handloom

Posted on January 5, 2013 | 6 comments
OFB yellow all

Baby’s First Daygowns pattern by Old Fashioned Baby

 

I absolutely love this pattern.

 

patt cover

 

It is versatile, with three distinctly different views.  All the hand embroidery designs are included.   The directions are clear and specific.  Scattered between the pattern pieces on the blank tissue are sweet notes and Scripture. Continue reading →

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Posted in heirloom sewing, infant clothing

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NEW..Year, Beginnings, & OFB Daygown

Posted on January 2, 2013 | 8 comments

“Whether we want them or not, the New Year will bring new challenges; whether we seize them or not, the New Year will bring new opportunities.  ~Michael Josephson

January, 2013,  a time of beginnings.  We awaited the drop of the big ball with a  a fabulous, fun-filled New Year’s Eve with our son and his family.  They brought along Apollo, their 100 lb.  German Shepherd and it was a time of happy chaos here at our house.

We watched football, ate goodies, had a bonfire with s’mores, then fireworks.  Robert and Laurel found a farewell letter from Peter Elf and said their goodbyes to him.  Laurel, the little businesswoman, had bags to embroider so she got that done.  New Year’s Day was more of the same, except for the bonfire and fireworks.

As the above quote states, the new year brings new opportunities.  Our overdue granddaughter has still not made her appearance and I’m seizing this nail biting opportunity to sew more baby clothes.  The challenges he predicts will come in their own good time.

Ready to begin!  Yellow Imperial broadcloth, Vintage Swiss petit point handloom, French lace, entredeux and OFB Baby’s First Daygown pattern.

Thank goodness, I’m finally well and healthy enough to hold a newborn any day now.  I don’t know if it was all hot tea or the fresh-off-the-tree citrus I consumed, or maybe all  the naps.  But thankfully, I’m back in the sewing room. Continue reading →

8 Comments

Posted in antique/vintage textiles, heirloom sewing, infant clothing, Nana fun

Bonnet, Monograms and Chicken Soup

Posted on December 28, 2012 | 13 comments

What does this baby bonnet

have in common with chicken soup? Continue reading →

13 Comments

Posted in antique textiles, baby accessories, heirloom sewing, infant clothing, machine embroidery, Nana fun