Category Archives: uncategorized

Part II Goodbye SATB2011

Posted on February 8, 2011 by | 2 comments

I hope you are not yet tired of the details of Sewing at the Beach 2011 because I am still enjoying the fresh memories of a great school.

The young man in the handsome blazer was a doll and a great escort for the cutie pie in the smocked dress. She had been well-coached to smile at people. But the minute her eyes turned away from a member of the audience, her dazzling smile warped into bored fatigue. It was late for little ones.

As a wrap up, I would like to share with you a few photos of the students projects, fashion show and banquet table party favors.

Then I want to introduce you to living proof that sewing is, indeed, a bona fide Elixir of Youth.   Continue reading →

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Posted in boys, clothing, doll clothing and accessories, girls, home dec, ladies, machine embroidery, quilts, smocking, turn tube hem, uncategorized

Goodbye Sewing at the Beach 2011

Posted on February 6, 2011 by | Leave a comment

This incredible week of fun, friendship and sewing classes is over. And what a memorable time we have had!

I was privileged to be part of the faculty which included  Connie Palmer, Jan Kerton of Australia, Kathy Farmer, Jane Briscoe, Margaret Fain and my wonderful, talented, wild and crazy roommate, Terri Click.

Their classes included Jan’s exquisite handwork projects, most notably her underwater landscape quilt, Kathy’s camisole and celtic heart, Jane’s faggotted romper and elegant etui, Margaret’s vintage sachets and mug mania, and Terri’s tee shirt pattern drafting and kumihimo bag handles.

The variety of projects amazed me.  There was truly something for everyone, though everyone seemed to want everything.

Each day, mid-morning and afternoon, students trekked to the hospitality suite.   Stocked with homemade goodies,  fresh fruits and vegetables, the suite was a comfortable and welcoming place to visit with old and new friends.  And talk about sewing.

On the 16th floor, lunch was served in a private dining room that overlooked the ocean.  Continue reading →

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Posted in clothing, embroidery blanks, girls, uncategorized

One Well-Spent Dollar

Posted on January 21, 2011 by | Leave a comment

the honest-to-goodness Snow White with 6 year old Laurel, Snow White Jr.

This Disney Snow White costume/dress has more lives than a lucky cat.  It just keeps coming back!  Laurel’s homeschool group just spent the day at  Epcot and her mother sent this picture of Laurel wearing her favorite princess dress with Snow White Herself.

3 year old Snow White, aka Laurel Cade, Greg Wiggle, aka Robert Charles, and Robert’s constant companion moose, aka Moosie

The dress has a long history.  And just when I think it has finally seen its last days, it rises like the phoenix to be born again. Continue reading →

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Posted in clothing, Disney, girls, Nana fun, uncategorized

Miniature Wonder

Posted on December 21, 2010 by | Leave a comment

2 3/4" doll in sewing box

This is one of the sweetest Christmas gifts I have ever received.  The 2 3/4″  porcelain doll is nestled into a comparably tiny sewing box generously stocked with minuscule materials.  Rolls of silk fabric, 1/8-1/4″ spools of  thread, snippets of antique lace, silk ribbon and more set a needleworker to dreaming about dainty delights.  Continue reading →

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Posted in antique textiles, doll clothing and accessories, Holiday Projects, uncategorized

Alastair’s Stocking

Posted on December 13, 2010 by | 4 comments

zAlChristmastockingwhole

 

At last, Alastair’s Christmas stocking is finished.  I’m generally pleased with it, but as always, if I were to do it over I’d make some changes.

The Santa in flight embroidery design is from Babylock’s Christmas Collection II. The intricacy and shading has tremendous appeal to me, but the real clincher was the inclusion of Rudolph in the sleigh’s team of  reindeer.

I have always enjoyed adding details to an embroidery and this one gave plentiful opportunity.  A seed bead has been stitched to Rudolph’s nose, a detail that will be overlooked by most, but not Hawk-Eye Alastair.

 

zAlChristmastockingSantaFI

He will also finger the tiny bells stitched to the reindeer harnesses.  They were a little large, but just how realistic do you have to be with a design like this?

Another addition is a tiny soldier button to Santa’s pack.  I’d like to have included more toy buttons, but only the soldier was a suitable size.

Edging the black ultrasuede stocking body is red and white double mini piping.  The ultrasuede was purchased years ago to make wine bags for my oenophile brother.

 

zAlChristmastockingsoldier

Continue reading →

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Posted in Holiday Projects, home dec, machine embroidery, uncategorized

Buttonholes

Posted on November 13, 2010 by | 4 comments

my buttonhole sampler

After years of frustration, I can now make perfectly formed  and perfectly placed buttonholes.  Thanks to Embroidery Library www.emblibrary.com one of my favorite sites, I no longer grow apprehensive when it comes time for the garment closure.

 Buttonholes have always caused me  trouble.  My quest for success with this necessary garment construction component began with the buttonhole attachment for my 1968 Kenmore machine and progressed to the 4-step program on my Bernina 930. I hated every one I made. Continue reading →

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Posted in machine embroidery, techniques, uncategorized

Heartstrings

Posted on November 12, 2010 by | 2 comments

Several years ago, this sweet little project was given to me by my dear friend Suzanne Sawko.  The stuffed 8″ heart carries the message:

“Mothers and daughters are tied together with heart strings.”

The appliqued hearts of  blue pima gingham and floral lawn are simply ironed on with Wonder Under. The embellished front and gingham back are seamed by machine, while the text is machine embroidered. But the blanket stitch around the perimeter was done by hand, as was the  running stitch “heart strings”  which illustrate the sentiment.

The tender thought and its textile presentation certainly warmed my heart, which Suzanne knew had a hole in it that August when my daughter went off to the University of Florida.

Rebecca and I have always been very close, so the 90 miles that separated us seemed like a continent.  I missed hearing every detail of her day and her plans for tomorrow.  And I worried. Our 18 year-old was smart and wisely cautious, but her father and I knew we were no longer able to shield her from harm.  Only her own good sense, our prayers and God’s grace could protect her.  Continue reading →

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Posted in hand embroidery, machine embroidery, uncategorized

Hideaway Hanger

Posted on November 2, 2010 by | 2 comments

A hideaway hanger is a fabulous travel accessory.  With a zippered pocket concealed beneath the scallops, it provides a secure place to hide jewelry and other valuables when you are staying in a hotel.  I’ll never forget when a teacher at a huge sewing school had all of her jewelry stolen while she was in class.  A hanger like this might have prevented that heart wrenching theft.

This classic heirloom style hanger is packed in my suitcase every time I go out of town, a lovely and useful gift from my dear friend Barbara Chatelaine of Baton Rouge.   It was stitched on her beloved Pfaff 7570.  Barbara is an incredibly talented sewist, a fabulous cook–her shrimp etouffee is legendary–and altogether a delightful and charming Cajun lady.

enlarge to see clean scallops

 

She declares this to be an easy project.  By simply tracing the outline of a wooden hanger, a pattern can be drawn.  Add a seam allowance and trace the shape onto fabric which has been pressed onto an iron-on low loft bonded batt.  The batting gives the cover body as well as  cushions and disguises the contents of the hanger.  Before cutting it out, embroider a monogram or other design.  Or just leave it plain. Continue reading →

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Posted in home dec, machine embroidery, techniques, uncategorized

Crayola Fun

Posted on October 28, 2010 by | 2 comments

This topic is mostly Nana Fun and only remotely sewing related, but I think it’s wonderful.  To see the needlework connection, you will have to read to the end of the post, beyond the explanation. This program turns any digital photo into a coloring page!  And you can even add fun extras, such as hats or funny hair or mustaches.

Before the start of the school year, I bought new boxes of Crayolas for  Robert and Laurel.  Though I hadn’t noticed the box cover promo for this free–except for the cost of the crayolas–program,  Robert spotted it immediately and couldn’t wait to get started.  That boy can spot a .com from across the room.

#1--digital photo

Much to my chagrin, I just couldn’t seem to get around to checking this out until this past week.  Robert was delighted and so were Laurel and I. It is soooooo neat!

Just go to the website www.crayola.com/colorme and click on the free  trial or log in with the code stamped inside the lid of the crayola box.

We’re starting a diary/coloring book of memories from this school year.  Laurel’s sewing and Robert’s “shopping”–his term for shop class–will be documented and recalled even more vividly as they relive the activity with crayons.  Here  is an example, using a photo from our trip to North Carolina.  Continue reading →

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Posted in Nana fun, uncategorized

Margaret Tully Sews

Posted on October 19, 2010 by | 2 comments

This past weekend Margaret Tully taught a class at the Sewing Garret in South Daytona.  As always, she was delightfully entertaining while she teaching her students fabulous techniques and tips.

I was unable to stay for the sit and sew portion, but snapped these pictures of some of her inspiring samples.

Margaret is best known for her serging expertise, but she is equally adept with sewing.  The creativity and variety of her samples shows just how diverse her talents are. Continue reading →

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Posted in baby accessories, bags, heirloom sewing, home dec, linen blanks, machine embroidery, serger, techniques, uncategorized