Category Archives: machine embroidery

Gobble

Posted on November 25, 2009 | 4 comments

Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare.  They are consumed in twelve minutes.  Half-times take twelve minutes.  This is not coincidence.  ~Erma Bombeck

Judy Day, my very dear and extremely talented friend,  made this Thanksgiving shirt for her beautiful granddaughter. Judy has been sewing almost forever–30+ years–and teaches computer, sergers, machine embroidery and heirloom sewing at one of the largest Babylock dealers in the country.  She smocked and sewed heirloom clothes for each of her three children.  I think she said her daughters refused to wear smocked dresses when they turned 15, but I could be wrong about that.Correction:  This shirt was made by Judy’s daughter, Amy Spriggs.  The turkey design was a freebie from Embroidery Library.  Amy added the text.  Wait until you see some more of Amy’s projects!

Cute as this shirt is, it isn’t even the tip of the tip of the iceberg of Judy’s creativity and skill.  She has graciously agreed to let me post some of her things from time to time.  Everything Judy does is pure perfection, from design to execution.  I love getting an e-mail from her with a photo attachment of her latest creations.  I know you will enjoy them as much as I do.  Continue reading →

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Posted in girls, Holiday Projects, machine embroidery

Lemonade

Posted on November 25, 2009 | 5 comments

lemonade whole

It’s very rewarding to face a design challenge and come away satisfied. I had almost completed three matching Thanksgiving outfits for my grandchildren using this brown plaid Viyella.  They were to be worn at a huge gathering of extended family.

Then my son’s plans changed. He and his family, including two of the three grandchildren, would not be joining us for dinner. Even  though I knew this was far short of a disaster, I was, nonetheless, disappointed. As mentioned in the previous post, since I had lemons I would make lemonade.

Our daughter’s family would be there with 8 month old Alastair. He, at least, would be decked out in his brown plaid Jon-Jon and button-on turkey bib. But his cousin Robert’s matching set and cousin Laurel’s dress needed another purpose for another day. Continue reading →

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Posted in boys, Holiday Projects, machine embroidery

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Pilgrim Bears

Posted on November 24, 2009 | Leave a comment

Today, great progress was made on the three matching Thanksgiving outfits for my grandchildren. Both boys’ suits are pressed and hanging up, ready to wear. Just as I was cutting out Laurel’s dress, we got the bad news that our son and his family will not be joining us on Thursday. Charter pilots can never count on being home for holidays. That put an end to my big plans for a group photo of the three cousins.

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Posted in boys, Holiday Projects, machine embroidery

Hurrah!

Posted on November 23, 2009 | 2 comments

Hurrah! I have finished Alastair’s Children’s Corner Glenn, the first of three Thanksgiving outfitsfor my grandchildren.  A very simple, lined Jon-Jon with a button-on bib, the suit fabric is  Viyella plaid and the bib is twill.

The embroidery design is from Sew Many Designs We Give Thanks collection. The suit is still drying from having the blue marks washed out. I will post a picture of the complete outfit tomorrow.

I thought I would never get started on these but really got into it just after lunch today. In the past several days, I did manage to alter patterns, select fabric for the appliqués and get two garments cut out. But that was all. I was kept from sewing by one thing and  then another–unexpected but very welcome house guests, unexpected but very happy 14 hours of babysitting on Saturday and, as the King was wont to say in The King and I, “et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.” Continue reading →

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Posted in Holiday Projects, infant clothing, machine embroidery

Patient Pillowcases

Posted on November 19, 2009 | 4 comments

Everyone worries a little–or a lot– when a loved one is admitted to the hospital. Often, flowers are sent to express love and concern, but I don’t do that. Instead of sending a floral arrangement, I sew.

Embroidering a personalized, pima cotton pillowcase does a lot for the patient and offers me a modicum of peace of mind.

What can it do for the patient aside from the cool comfort of that  silky fabric against the face? It draws attention. Continue reading →

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Posted in heirloom sewing, home dec, machine embroidery

Embroidered Greetings

Posted on November 18, 2009 | 2 comments

In this electronic age of e-mail, beepers and cell phones, very few hand-addressed envelopes make their way to the red-flagged mailbox at the end of the driveway. An electronic message simply cannot generate the warm feelings awarded by an old fashioned handwritten letter.

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Posted in machine embroidery, techniques, uncategorized, wedding

Two Turkeys

Posted on November 16, 2009 | 2 comments

Last year was  the second time I had made  Robert and Laurel matching Thanksgiving outfits. Now,  it seems I have unwittingly established a tradition as they now are eagerly awaiting their 2009 turkey clothes. 

Using the ever popular jumper and Jon-Jon suit patterns from the book Martha’s Favorite Applique’s, by Martha Pullen, they made up quickly.

The appliqué design is from the Autumn Harvest collection, Designs by JuJu,  www.designsbyjuju.com  There is an amazing variety of designs on this site, but my favorites are always applique’.  The grass below the turkeys was added and not a part of the collection. But I don’t like poultry or any other animals just hanging free on the front of their clothes.

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Posted in boys, brother-sister, girls, Holiday Projects, machine embroidery

Gator Girl

Posted on November 15, 2009 | Leave a comment

 

Saturday, our family gathered to watch and then celebrate the Florida Gators victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks, 24-14. This game extended the winning streak to 20. Two of our grandchildren, Laurel and Robert, were here for the festivities, dressed for the occasion.GatorGirlscan

The design on Laurel’s shirt is one I have used before. A cheerleader skirt, braided pony tail and ball cap have been added to the baby alligator design from Brother’sMoskowitz card #6, with the help of BuzzEdit 2.

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Posted in boys, embroidery blanks, girls, machine embroidery, recipes, sporting gear

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Sleepy Mooncat

Posted on November 14, 2009 | Leave a comment

Just today I sent this sleeper off for Alastair. It’s really nothing special, but the truth of the matter is, not everything we sew is. Sometimes, it’s just  what I call utility sewing, a mere notch above mending on the sewing fun chart. But even utility sewing is always done with love.

Alastair has outgrown most of his sleepers and I had this blank one in my overflowing drawer of Things to Embroider Someday. So yesterday seemed to be the day. Continue reading →

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Posted in embroidery blanks, infant clothing, machine embroidery

Princess of Quite a Lot

Posted on November 13, 2009 | Leave a comment

In my experience, Mary Engelbreit machine embroidery designs (from Bernina) are very versatile. They are cute, for sure, but they are also amenable to a bit of a twist. I have used several designs and have always been pleased with the results.

ME’s Princess of Quite a Lotdesign was used on a laundry bag for a sweet coed, given as a going away momento as she left for college. A lovely clothes horse, she was well known for donning a fresh outfit several times a day. The university setting offered even more opportunities for wardrobe changes. Continue reading →

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Posted in bags, machine embroidery, school accessories