Category Archives: uncategorized

fil tire’ crescent from Combinations collection

The three Fil Tire’ and Fancywork machine embroidery collections created by Suzanne Sawko and me have been mentioned in several posts.  A few of the free designs offered on this site have been from one of the three sets.

I’ve meant to post purchase information for some time, but generally I am more wrapped up in sewing than selling. After receiving several inquiries, I have halted my sewing prattle and will now share them with you.

Fil Tire’ and Fancywork Elements includes a block of fil tire’ that can be used for applique’, many individual “elements” such as flowers, dots, leaves and tendrils. These can be combined into countless designs. The cost is $25 sent electronically, or $30 + postage if you would like the designs mailed to you on cd.

4 x 4 fil tire’ block made with wing needle. Used for applique’, it adds interesting texture to baskets, leaves, and any other applique’ design.

1″ circle nice for monogram

Sweet on baby blanket, especially combined with some of the floral designs.

shapes for fil tire’ applique’

Each of these designs is a single file, to be used between buttonholes or on collars and cuffs. They can also be used as elements of a more elaborate combined design.

Several designs have been combined on this souvenir pincushion, a class project I taught at Martha Pullen’s school.

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Fil tire’ and Fancywork Frames and Phrases

The third set, Fil Tire’ Frames and Phrases, is mostly made up of text and frames, which can be used as single frames with your own text or as shown with the frame around the text.

Other phrases with frames include

• Cabin Sweet Cabin
• Motorhome, Sweet Motorhome
• Bless  This Mess
• God Bless America
• You make everything bloom
• Love kindness, gather love
• a sweet Sister poem
• Love makes a house a home……..
• and more

The cost for Frames and Phrases is $20 as a download and $25 + postage for a cd.

pink Swiss batiste, heirloom beading, heirloom gooseneck edging, Swiss embroidered floral vine

It’s time to start planning Easter dresses, so I began plundering through my stash of heirloom goods.  I’ve been busy wrapping my fabrics onto the comic book boards Terri Click talked about in one of her blog posts about organization.  That was a great recommendation.

With a greater awareness of what I have, I’ve come to realize that I could dress 8-10 granddaughters in heirloom sewn dresses 7 days a week.  In fact, I have only one precious granddaughter and distant hope of a second.  So it’s time to find a new home for these beauties.

I thought I would try Farmhouse Fabrics technique of grouping complimentary goods.  So tonight I am posting two heirloom “families,” pink and blue.

PINK

• 5 yds. pink Swiss batiste, $14 per yard (also available in white)
• I-1 heirloom beading, 5/8″ wide $1 per yard
• heirloom gooseneck edging, 7/8″ wide $2 per yard
• Swiss embroidered floral vine,  2″ wide, $5 per yard

The pink batiste is gossamer sheer, called fairy fabric by some.  Note the printed paper that was slipped beneath the fabric.  This gives you an idea of its delicacy. This 42″ fabric nearly floats off the cutting table.

I also have some pink Nelona for $16 per yard but I haven’t measured it yet.  If that interests you, let me know and I’ll get right on it.

BLUE   My daughter has sky blue eyes, so I bought a lot of this color for heirloom dresses.  I sewed up a lot of it for her, but, obviously, not all!

• 6-1/3 yds. + 3 yds. blue Swiss batiste (Fairy weight) also available in white  (I have a whole bolt.)  The printed page under the fabric shows the sheerness of the fabric. $14 per yard (regularly $19)
• Swiss insertion, entredeux on either side, 3/4″ wide, 2 yds. 34″ for $8
• Swiss insertion, entredeux on either side, 1-1/8″ wide, 2 yds,. 20″ for $9
• Swiss edging, 1-3/4″ wide, 2 yds. 4″ for $7
• Swiss edging with roses, 5″ wide (good for collar or yoke overlay) 2 yds. 20″ $12 for the piece
• Swiss edging with white doves, 5″ wide, 4 yds. 5″ $5 per yard

There is much more to post, including a lot of Swiss batiste and trims.  Also, I have more Liberty of London tanna lawn to move out.  So please check back if any of this interests you. Easter comes up faster than we ever expect.

I have to tell you how thrilled I am with the comic book boards. It’s so nice to have a neat way to store the fabric.

The top shelf is Liberty. Below on the left is linen and polka dot pique. On the right is Swiss batiste.

The stacks need to be straightened up, but I am still loading bolts in place.

Imperial batiste and broadcloth, together at last!

I hope to organize them by color but that will have to wait until I get it all wrapped. They work very well, neatening my stacks of fabrics.

If you’d like to purchase any of the fabric or trims, you can e-mail your order to me at NCcabin@aol.com   Whether or not you buy any of this stuff, I’d love to hear about what you are planning for Easter outfits.

The second day of Martha Pullen’s Sewing Market was even better than the first, probably because it was a longer day, from 8 a.m. until 9:00 p.m..  So many new sewing techniques learned, so much creative inspiration, so much technical guidance!

My early day started at with Janice Stewart’s class:  Drawn Thread by Machine -Love the look of drawn work? – Let Janice show you how fast and easy you can accomplish this technique all by machine. Copy this high end look for your home, wardrobe and even babies. Lecture includes tips, tricks and a trunk show of ideas to get you inspired.

I am not a morning person.  Margaret Boyles was known to say that her heart did not begin beating officially until 10 a.m.  Some days, mine starts even later. I like to say I work the night shift (in my sewing room).

Any earlier start of the day requires HUGE motivation, like homeschooling my grandchildren or sewing workshops.  But I reeeeeeally wanted this 8:00 class from Janice Stewart.  Thankfully, it was most definitely worth firing up my slow starting old heart. Continue reading →

My head is still buzzing, and will be for quite a while, about Martha Pullen’s Orlando Market. I want to relive it and give you a play-by-play in hopes that you will treat yourself to this delight when the opportunity presents itself.

This is one of Connie's Madeira applique' patterns. I had to buy the companion pattern for AG dolls.

I arrived just before noon on Thursday, in time for my first class, Madeira Applique’ with Connie Palmer.   Though I am practiced in the basics of this technique, I knew Connie would have more to offer.  And, of course, she did.   A few of the things I learned from Connie Palmer in her Madeira Applique’ class:

• Use water soluble thread in the bobbin.  I’ve always put it in the needle but it breaks more easily there than in the bobbin.
• Use the water soluble/sew it together technique to make two identical pieces, such as Madeira frames.
• There is a terrific new scallop template that Connie loves.  You simply determine the size scallop you want by measuring the skirt width (or whatever) and deciding how many scallops you would like, i.e. for a 42″ skirt you might want 7 scallops.  Then you would want them to measure 6″ each.   Just snap the two piece template together at the proper markings and you are ready to trace your scallops!  As Connie said, now you can get all of the saucers, soup bowls, tea cups and whatever you have used to make scallops out of your sewing room and store this flat little notion.

• 

  Mark scalloped borders on hems, collars and quilts quickly and easily in sizes from 5" to 12". Instructions are included with template. In stock Price: $14.99(from MO)

In response to a student’s question, she also went into her uses and techniques for spaghetti bias, especially as a cathedral window look.  I might write more about that in a later post but for now, just look at this blouse she made!  I had forgotten my camera that day, so this was taken with my phone.  The photo quality is not good, but the blouse is spectacular. Continue reading →

This post has nothing to do with “modern projects for old fashioned Nanas” or even sewing, for that matter, but I just couldn’t help sharing this with you.  A friend just sent me these actual bloopers that appeared in church bulletins or were announced from the pulpit.  I’m still chuckling after reading them.

It took me back many years ago when an equally entertaining (to many, but not all) story about our church’s Maundy Thursday service.

Glenwood Presbuyterian Church.  Please disregard the characters in the front. They were there to promote the Vacation Bible School theme. Continue reading →