Tutorial: Disney Project & Fun for All

Posted on August 14, 2014 by | 1 comment

 

I’m getting ready to post some new garments I made using a few of  the delightful new Disney designs.  They have really updated the characters and created very contemporary designs.  I stitched a new Minnie on CC Callie, Ariel on a two piece play set, and Nemo on a beach scene baby outfit.

With the new Brother machines being introduced there is a lot of  Disney excitement.  I thought you might enjoy this old post with my daughter’s tutorial for her castle pin/bulletin board.   This is a great back-to-school activity for kids and parents.

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It was a fabulous weekend, full of fun.   Rebecca had a project in mind so after the downtown Mardi Gras Dog Parade (details below the tutorial), this is was our family project.  It really is useful to anyone, young and old.  It would be great for teachers.

What is it for, you might ask?  Well, read her explanation below. Continue reading →

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ALERT!!! Hinshaw Shadow Embroidery

Posted on August 11, 2014 by | 1 comment

 

Christmas 11 collar centerCROP2

design from Suzanne Hinshaw’s Charming Embellishments collection. Collar featured in post  Shadow Work Christmas Collar

 

Look what I found on eBay—a  CD of Suzanne Hinshaw’s exquisite machine embroidery shadow work designs  Shadowed Bouquets posted for bids.  Click here to see the listing.

This gorgeous set includes many designs of flowers,  often tied up with a bow, koi fish in a frame arrangement, a wreath of holly, small single flowers, grapes, and one of my personal favorites, a frame filled with shadow worked bows as well as many other files.  The sizes range under an inch to 5.5 x 9.12″.   Her designs inspire so many ideas.

The auction includes  only the original cd without instructions, so that might give you pause if you’ve never done any of her designs.  But I would be happy to help any reader who purchases this.

A few days ago I was tickled pink to win the auction for her last collection,  Ladies and Babies,  the only one I didn’t already have.  And I was the only one who bid on it!  I have not yet received this cd but as the seller has a 99% approval rating, it should be delivered as expected. Continue reading →

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Posted in machine embroidery, shadow work by machine

Church Dress for Laurel

Posted on August 8, 2014 by | 15 comments
Children's Corner Lillian in white linen

Children’s Corner Lillian in white linen

 

Almost overnight, Laurel has grown into a young lady and outgrown all of her church dresses.     She is taller and definitely matured beyond the little girl dresses I love to sew.  I am grateful that there are patterns for tasteful big girl dresses like this Children’s Corner Lillian. Continue reading →

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Posted in girls, machine embroidery

Elephant “Jane”

Posted on August 2, 2014 by | 10 comments
Jane-elphant1a

Children’s Corner “Jane” with elephant applique

 

This was made while spending a week at our mountain cabin.  With our daughter and her two children and all their activities, it was a busy time.  And yet, I managed to finish this Children’s Corner Jane for 18 month old Vivian Rose.

 

Jane patt

What a terrific pattern this is!  Fast as a New York minute, easy as pie and cute as a button.  How’s that for a lot of cliches?  But it’s all true.  This may be the perfect pattern for our 18 month old granddaughter Vivian Rose.

I love a pattern that is simple enough to alter easily for different looks.  For the size 2, the basic top required just 1/2  yd. of 60″ wide fabric.  On this gray gingham top, a lace edged ruffle was added over the regular elasticized sleeve.  An appliqued gray ultrasuede elephant adds textural interest.  The loose tail is a bias tube made from the ruffle sleeve pink fabric.  I hope she doesn’t pull it off. Continue reading →

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Summer Fun Sewing

Posted on July 29, 2014 by | Leave a comment

flower top

 

 

Busy, busy, busy!  What ever happened to the “lazy, hazy,  crazy days of summer?”  Is that another thing of the past?  We’ve had crazy but no hazy or lazy.

In addition to lots of sewing, I’ve enjoyed  two weeks at our cabin in the mountains of North Carolina, one  week with our daughter, sweet Alastair and whirling dervish Vivian Rose, as well as one week with Bob. What great getaways from Florida’s hot summer!

This floral top was made for dgd Laurel, 10.  The quick and easy commercial pattern lent itself to a variety of embellishments.  In addition to piping and rick rack,  crocheted flowers  purchased from  Farmhouse Fabrics were added into the mix.

 

floral top crochet

 

Continue reading →

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Posted in embroidery blanks, girls, Kids Sew, machine embroidery

Frilly Kindergarten Shorts Set

Posted on July 25, 2014 by | 5 comments

photo(2)

 

This is another outfit in the kindergarten wardrobe Suzanne Sawko is making for her granddaughter.   It seems to meet all the requirements of primary school wear in Florida–the outfit is cool, comfortable and allows for active play.

At the same time it satisfies a little girl’s desire for feminine clothing, as well as her Mamaw’s own desire for a pretty back-to-school wardrobe for this 5 year-old.  And what teacher wouldn’t love to see a new student in a smocked garment?  Clearly, this is a winning 2-piece set. Continue reading →

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Posted in Basic no-embroidery Machine Projects, girls, hairbows, heirloom sewing, smocking, Suzanne Sawko creations

Patterns~Embroidery Machine Covers

Posted on July 23, 2014 by | 8 comments

There is good news!  Many readers were interested in the embroidery machine cover   I made for my mother’s Babylock Ellageo several years ago. But the pattern was no longer available.

 

ellageocover

 

Now they are back!  Missi of Skeldale House  went the extra mile to contact the pattern designer, Monica Aderton.  Her site, Monica’s Miscellany, has been down for some time.

This is Monica’s response to Missi’s inquiry: Continue reading →

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Dressed up Play Top

Posted on July 21, 2014 by | 8 comments
eyelet 1

Doesn’t this look cool and comfortable for a Florida toddler?

 

I seem to be stuck on the simple, free, gathered play top pattern from The Purl Bee.   (See Mountain Sewing Getaway and Free Patterns~Summer Play Top)  There are so many variations dancing around in my head that I doubt this will be the last one I make.  I  really hope to make some for Operation Christmas Child.

For this version, the top is cut to a dress length–at least for an 18 month old– and given a more elegant look with the  a finer fabric.  The contrasting casing of which I am so fond and is embellished with stacked  yo-yo’s, a single leaf and a tiny pearl button. Continue reading →

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Posted in Basic no-embroidery Machine Projects, free patterns and designs, girls, infant clothing

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Mountain Sewing Getaway

Posted on July 17, 2014 by | 2 comments

DSC_0020

 

My dear husband and I just returned home from a week at our cabin in the beautiful mountains of the North Carolina “High Country.”   This time it was just the two of us.

We wanted a break from the hustle bustle of our very busy-but very happy!- life here in central Florida.  And we reeeeally wanted a break from the sweltering heat here at home.  We surely got that!   To keep from freezing, I wore a sweater everyday and we slept under two hand stitched quilts.

 

cherries 2

 

Of course, my plan was to get some uninterrupted sewing and smocking done.  So on the first morning after we arrived, Bob set up my sewing table and I set up my trusty Brother ULT 2003D. Continue reading →

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Posted in girls, machine embroidery

French LuLu Shirt

Posted on July 16, 2014 by | 3 comments
L paris 2

granddaughter Laurel feeling Parisienne

This fun French outfit was a quickie project.  Just finishing a growth spurt, Laurel needed some new play clothes.  Of course, that was all the excuse I needed.  And I just love this cute design from Great Notions  LuLu in Paris  collection.

The inexpensive shirt was paired with a  white tank top and hot pink leggings.

Paris closer

Continue reading →

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Posted in girls, machine embroidery