Category Archives: uncategorized

Blogs~ Inspiration and Information

Posted on September 8, 2011 by | 5 comments

This vintage linen guest towel has been identified as Lefkara embroidery, thanks to Cynthia at California Stitching.      P.S. Just what do you think that figure in the inserted medallion is? A long-legged bunny? A sea gull? I’m pretty sure it’s something. What?

I could easily spend a good part of every day reading blogs about sewing.  How amazing is it that I can sit in front of the computer in my snug study, look out beyond the front porch to my roses and a second later  peer into the sewing rooms and minds of others around the country who share my passion for needlework?

These blogs are so well done!  If I spent the time to glean all  the valuable inspiration and information, I would never get to sewing!  This is exactly what Beckie was talking about in her recent blog Habits at Ponderings of Life, Memories, Sewing and More.  It was as if she were speaking directly to me, sort of like when the minister preaches to the entire congregation, but YOU KNOW he wrote that sermon just for you…….gulp.  Uh, thanks, Beckie!

 Thanks, Lisa, for the inspiration for Alastair’s first day of preschool shirt!

When I saw the shirt Lisa made for her 1st grader’s first day of school, I immediately purchased the design and have made grade level shirts for each of my three grandchildren.  I love it!  I would never have found the design Continue reading →

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Posted in machine embroidery, uncategorized

Little Dresses for Africa

Posted on September 6, 2011 by | 4 comments

If you haven’t already heard about  Little Dresses for Africa, you will feel an ache in your heart that will likely drive you to your sewing machine.  Please click on this link to find out how you can help the needy children of the world from the comfort of your home with the supplies you have on hand.

This is a non-profit Christian organization whose mission it is to provide relief to the children of central Africa.  And they do it one dress at a time.

A pattern for a simple pillowcase dress in a wide range of sizes is offered as a free download.  Finished dresses are sent to this organization which arranges for distribution to the precious, needy little girls through mission groups and other charitable organizations.

A scrap of gingham was serged with red wooly nylon and tied around the bias ties.

Those of us who sew often bemoan the size of our stash/collection/resource center, all the while wishing we could wisely whittle it down to make room for more.  This is the perfect outlet for that surplus fabric.  Your precious fabric and precious time will be worn on the backs of these precious needy children. Continue reading →

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Come See~~2nd Annual AG Tea Party

Posted on August 20, 2011 by | 5 comments

Granddaughter Laurel’s Second Annual American Girls Tea Party is history. After all the preparations, as expected, it was a huge success. Last year the guest list was much smaller, but the past school year has brought a lot of new friends into my seven year-old granddaughter’s social circle.

doll-table2

All the girls are enthusiastic owners of one or more American Girls dolls, all of whom were, of course, also invited to the festivities. As is so often the case, sewing projects played a part in this special event. Continue reading →

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Posted in doll clothing and accessories, Kids Sew, machine embroidery, Nana fun, party accessories and ideas, quilts, smocking, uncategorized

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Sewing on Bulletin Boards

Posted on August 10, 2011 by | 2 comments
Robert's 2nd grade bulletin board

Robert’s 2nd grade bulletin board

Some days it seems that sewing influences or impacts every aspect of my life.  Given the intense passion so many of us feel for textile arts, this influence should not surprise us.  Yet, it does, especially when sewing solves problems that seem to be unrelated to “needlearts.”

Laurel's 3rd grade bulletin board

Laurel’s 3rd grade bulletin board

Case in point–these bulletin boards for my homeschool classroom.  For the past week I have been tied up with my elderly aunt who broke her hip and had replacement surgery.  In spite of a medley of health problems and almost 90 years wear and tear on her fragile body, she has managed the bumps in the road and is recovering satisfactorily.  But in the meantime, the clock was tick tocking away the time and I fell further and further behind in my preparations for the upcoming school year.

My immediate problem was that the annual homeschool evaluation for  my grandchildren, 7 year-old Laurel and 6 year-old (today is his birthday!) Robert, was scheduled for today.  It was also our first day of Nana School.  My little classroom had to be ready, including new bulletin boards, lesson plans and cupcakes for the birthday boy. So how did sewing help me with the bulletin boards? Continue reading →

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Posted in school accessories, uncategorized

Florence Roberson and King Tut

Posted on July 24, 2011 by | 14 comments

our Golden boi LeRoi, 14, with my granddaughter, Laurel, 3, wearing a Little Sunday Dresses pinafore

Remember the smocked pocket pattern featured in a previous post?  Credit was given to Florence  Roberson, designer and owner of the patten company Little Sunday Dresses.

1984~~my gap-toothed Rebecca, 6, wearing LSD pinafore ~see post Little Fawn Pinafore http://www.janicefergusonsews.com/blog/2009/09/06/little-fawn-pinafore/

I had copied it from an old SAGA Newsletter but didn’t know the issue or date.  A smocking friend from long ago, Lorraine Whyte, posted a comment that the pattern was published in the Fall, 1983 issue.  She also informed me that it was included in Little Sunday Dresses Sundress and Panties pattern.  She had used  that pattern to make a Valentine’s dress for her daughter, Monica, who appeared on the cover of Mildred Turner’s 2nd book on heirloom sewing.  Thanks, Lorraine!

Shortly after  that, this comment was posted by Mrs. Roberson’s granddaughter:

Dear All,
I was doing some research on the web and stumbled across this blog and questions about my grandmother, Florence Roberson. She passed away almost 10 years ago at almost 90 years old! In my opinion, she was one classy lady and I adored her. It is really neat to read what others write about her and to know her legacy lives on through smocking. I live in Fayetteville, Arkansas and still meet smockers who use her patterns and say she is a legend. I talk to my own daughter about her all the time. Thanks for continuing with the lost art… it is beautiful………Ann Catherine Continue reading →

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Posted in girls, smocking, uncategorized

Creative Needle Magazines

Posted on July 13, 2011 by | 61 comments

 

 

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Posted in uncategorized

Loralie Doll Pin Pendant

Posted on July 11, 2011 by | 4 comments

How cute is this?  A precious student in Puerto Rico made this  pendant pin cushion after a long day of sewing and presented it to me on the last day of class. What a thoughtful, personal gift.  I love it.

The Loralie doll pin cushion includes many of my personal features.   It reminds me of the American Girls “Me” doll, created with specially selected features to mimic those of a specific child.

When I sew and when I teach, I always have my half-eye glasses and embroidery scissors hanging around my neck.  The doll’s brown eyes, just like mine, peer over similar glasses above the scissors hanging around the neck.  Of course, full of pins, it looks like a voodoo doll, but I ignore the suggestion. Continue reading →

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Posted in machine embroidery, uncategorized

New 4 Sale 7/06

Posted on July 6, 2011 by | Leave a comment
New items for sale 7/06
Browse “A STORE” categories for items that interest you.  Payment can be made with personal check, postal money order or Paypal.  Send an e-mail to NCcabin@aol.com with your order, your shipping address and your method of payment.  I will respond with a total, including shipping and  sales tax for Florida addresses.  If you choose Paypal, I will send you an invoice.
I’m sorry this is more tedious than the one-click purchase option on other upscale sites. This is more like a yard sale–bargain prices, changing inventory, and limited quantities.   You might be surprised at some of the unique items I have in my stash/hoard/collection!***

Swiss organdy strips...$5...white...10 strips 4-5" wide x 12" along selvage

Connie Palmer recently made a christening gown with Swiss organdy diamond shaped medallions inserted in the skirt.  The medallions were embroidered, white on white,  and the effect was spectacular.  Each 4-5″ x 12″ strip should render two 4″ x 5- 6″ medallions.  These are left over cuts from making class kits.
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Monogram Crest GT...$8...Irish linen...13-1/2" x 23"...available 12...some prewashed in anticipation of embroidery..apparently scanned at an excessively high resolution

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God Bless America~Liberty 4 Sale

Posted on July 3, 2011 by | Leave a comment
Happy Independence Day!

pillow made from linen towel, chain stitch alphabet, ribbon woven through hemstitching

God bless America, land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
to the oceans, white with foam.
God bless America, My home, sweet home.
******************************************************
It’s true  that freedom isn’t free.  But you can buy Liberty –at janicefergusonsews.com  for $12 per yard.
In my humble opinion, Liberty of London tanna lawn is the most divine fabric there is.  These exquisite cotton lawn fabrics are finely woven, light weight and ultra soft.   The prints are inspired by nature, architecture and heritage and are known for the precise registration of the prints.  Great for clothing, quilting, home dec or anything.
I have long been a die-hard fan of Liberty tanna lawn, to the extent that I have purchased at least some yardage anywhere I see it.The pieces in my collection were purchased in Sydney, Australia at the Liberty store, in Tokyo at a four building fabric mecca,  at San Francisco’s legandary Britex Fabrics, at cosmopolitan G-Street in DC and many locations between.
But my supply has long since exceeded my demand, so I am reluctantly trimming down my stash of this luscious fabric.  This is the start of my separation anxiety!
Even a small amount of Liberty makes an elegant statement.  Lezette Thomason (Children’s Corner pattern designer, etc.) loves Liberty and often uses it for a ruffle against a solid colored fabric, such  her Kitty pattern. She has also suggested that a contrasting Liberty print be used as facing on the armscye or along the yoke as on  Callie.
Check out the dwindling supply by clicking on “fabric” under “A STORE” in the menu on the right. 

 

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New 4 Sale 6/27

Posted on June 27, 2011 by | 1 comment
We’re enjoying the cool weather here on Seven Devils Mountain.  Aside from the respite from Florida’s summer heat, I am tickled pink at the condition of the plants I so lovingly put out years ago.

 

At the time, our children were grown and there were no grandchildren.  We came to the cabin 5-6 times each year.  But since Laurel was born, followed by Robert and then Alastair, we can’t bear to be away from them that often.  So the maintenance of the roses, daylilies and rhododendron were left to Mother Nature.  But she tended them well and they have thrived.

The rhododendrons–some 6′ tall!– behind the rose bush were transplanted from  1 gallon cans just 8 years ago.  The Flower Carpet rose was planted at the same time and has struggled through dry summers and winters that left it burdened with several feet of snow  But now, like my stash, they all have grown.  Pretty weak segue, I know, but I had to share the picture.~*~*~*~*


Browse “A STORE” categories for items that interest you.  Payment can be made with personal check, postal money order or Paypal.  Send an e-mail to NCcabin@aol.com with your order, your shipping address and your method of payment.  I will respond with a total, including shipping and  sales tax for Florida addresses.  If you choose Paypal, I will send you an invoice.

I’m sorry this is more tedious than the one click purchase option on other upscale sites. This is more like a yard sale–bargain prices, changing inventory, and limited quantities.   You might be surprised at some of the unique items I have in my stash/hoard/collection!****************

Such a tiny, delicate edging, perfect for babies and dolls.   The holes just below the header look like entredeux but without the bulk.  See edging on Laurel’s 1st Birthday Dress  and on the doll bedding. 

#3 Swiss Tulips~~embroidered insertion 1-1/2″ wide~~$6 per yard

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E-20…$$1.00 per yard…1/4″ wide…copper

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