New 4 Sale 7/06

Posted on July 6, 2011 | 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.
~

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 | 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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“…with a little help from my friends”~New Vintage Baby Bubbles

Posted on July 1, 2011 | 1 comment

pink blue bubblesxx

 

These sweet baby outfits were made by my friend Haydee, one of my students the last time I taught in Puerto Rico.  http://www.janicefergusonsews.com/blog/2010/07/20/teaching-in-puerto-rico/

 

pinklambbubble

 

She speaks little English and I speak almost no Spanish.  My entire Spanish vocabulary consists of “Donde est el bano?” (Where is the bathroom?) so it is impossible to communicate about our sewing projects except through photos.

For that reason, I can give you no information about her selection of fabric or embroidery design.  Haydee did preface these pictures with the name of the pattern, Wendy Schoen’s Vintage Baby Bubble.  www.wendyschoendesign.com Continue reading →

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Posted in infant clothing

Tagged ,

New Laces 4 Sale & Fun with Grandchildren

Posted on June 30, 2011 | 6 comments

Note:  This is the Fun with Grandchildren part of the post.  If you’d rather not read my prattle about our vacation activities just scroll down for New Laces for Sale. **********

What a grand time we are having here in the mountains with our grandchildren, Robert and Laurel!  Today was their mother’s birthday so  after breakfast they put on a little skit in honor of  the occasion. Laurel,7,  had carefully selected her “My Mom Rocks” tee shirt for the day.

 

 

Wearing this shirt, she played the role of  Shelly’s mother, Janine, and had a pillow tucked under her little tee shirt.  With an amazingly spot on 9-months pregnant waddle, she came out from the hall wailing, “I’m sooo tired of being pregnant.  I can’t wait for this baby to be born!” Continue reading →

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Posted in Nana fun

Liberty Tana Lawn Sundress

Posted on June 29, 2011 | 11 comments

 

This is my handwork project for our “vacation” time here in the mountains.  I have two antique, crocheted child sized yokes, one of which will be joined to the smocked Liberty of London skirt.  When Laurel arrives in a few days, she will try them on to see which fits best.

I’m considering adding two little smocked pouch pockets and edging them with bits of crochet I have at home.  Many, many years ago, in the SAGA newsletters, Florence Roberson’s pattern for such a pocket was published.  I will pull that out if I decide to include the pockets. Continue reading →

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Posted in antique textiles, girls, smocking

New 4 Sale 6/27

Posted on June 27, 2011 | 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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Brother Bishop & ME Design

Posted on June 26, 2011 | 64 comments

BroBishall1

Do you have a favorite project with which you are completely satisfied?  This  size 3 bishop dress is one of only a  few that fall in that category for me.    It was a pleasure to make and if I were to do it again, I wouldn’t change a thing.

 

 

BroBishsmock

 

Made of cotton batiste, the dress and shoulder ruffle are blue while the neck binding, sleeves and Madeira applique’ hem are champagne colored. The smocked sleeves and shoulder ruffle are trimmed with champagne French  lace.

 

BroBishsleeveB

 

Pin stitch, feather stitch, and machine embroidered flowerettes further embellish the sleeves, shoulder ruffle and hem.

 

Continue reading →

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Posted in girls, heirloom sewing, machine embroidery, Madeira applique, smocking, techniques

Kindle Cover~Lessons Learned

Posted on June 25, 2011 | Leave a comment

 

My dear husband got a Kindle for Father’s Day.  He’s pretty hard on his electronics, having shattered 2 or 3 i-phones and dropped his iPad several times.  I knew this Kindle was going to need some protection.

The first line of defense was a padded mailer envelope.  That actually works very well but it is not attractive.  I covered the address label with a photo of the grandchildren, but it still looks like an old, recycled mailer envelope.

 

My guy is the ultimate Gator fan.  He has a closet full of Gator shirts as well as caps, slippers, calendars, neck tie, boxers, long flannel jams, etc. etc. etc.  But he did not have a Gator Kindle cover.  That’s what I would make. Continue reading →

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Posted in machine embroidery, uncategorized

3-Generation Memory Quilt

Posted on June 23, 2011 | Leave a comment
LR2deck

Our cabin quilt hangs on the back of the couch, ready to be snuggled under.

 

Fergusons-cabin

Fergusons’ Carolina Cabin 1996

 

We are in North Carolina at our mountain cabin in the High Country, between Boone and Banner Elk, the source of inspiration for this quilt.  As usual, one of the first things we did was check the quilt to see if it had suffered any noticeable wear and tear from our guests.  As usual, the quilt was fine and we took a quick stroll down memory lane as we examined it.  Continue reading →

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Posted in quilts

Tagged ,

Swiss Embroideries

Posted on June 21, 2011 | 3 comments
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!   Quantities are limited.~

Swiss Columbus…$4 per yard…4″ wide

~~See this Swiss piece featured on my Mayflower dress: http://www.janicefergusonsews.com/blog/2009/11/21/mayflower-dress/~~~~

 

#1 Swiss floral ovals~~Swiss embroidered insertion~~$10 per yard~~~1-1/2″ wide~~ available 10-1/3 yds.

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#2 Swiss vine $8 per yard

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#3 Swiss Tulips~~$8 per yard

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Posted in Swiss