Thanksgiving Bibs

Posted on November 10, 2009 | 2 comments

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s time to think about bibs to keep the corn pudding and cranberry sauce off the grandchildren’s holiday clothing. Using ready made bibs reduces this project to quick and easy.  This is  a genuinely modern project for old fashioned Nanas who think bibs are in the  Dining Room Dress Code for every toddler.

I love hoop appliqué and find it especially appealing for children. So I usually seek out such designs for kid projects. This turkey is from the Autumn Harvest collection, Designs by JuJu  www.designsbyjuju.com .  The text has been added, using the Kid Block font from Monogram Wizard Plus, a great program that I use regularly.

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Posted in baby accessories, embroidery blanks, Holiday Projects, linen blanks, machine embroidery, recipes

Turtles Pack ‘N Play

Posted on November 10, 2009 | Leave a comment

For some time now, my grandson Alastair has needed another set of Pack N Play sheets. Finally, these were finished and mailed to him a few days ago. This time, instead of pima cotton, I used a heavy cotton flannel, which I thought would be cozier as the weather turns cooler.

This set was really fun to make , especially playing with the Terrific Turtles designs from Dakota Collectibles. As I stitched the turtles, I imagined Alastair enjoying these same activities when he is a little older.

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Posted in baby accessories, machine embroidery, Madeira applique

Jeweled Jeans and Shirt

Posted on November 8, 2009 | Leave a comment

My first grandbaby is 5 ½ now, with absolutely no baby left in her. She still loves her smocked dresses, but she also loves all that is fashionable for the 4-7 year old age group.

Have any of you heirloom fans found yourself smitten with garments 180 degrees from your comfort zone?  When I found these jeans, I had to admit they were pretty cute. With the embroidered, hot-fix jeweled back pockets and the neon pink belt, those pants are about as hip as a 5 year old needs to be.  They are not exactly this old fashioned Nana’s first choice, but I do think she looks darling in these jeans.

Laurel loves them.  She has never had a belt and cannot believe her good fortune in getting not only a belt but one in her favorite color.  Continue reading →

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Posted in embroidery blanks, girls, machine embroidery

Nana’s nursery window shade and valance

Posted on November 8, 2009 | 3 comments

Valance is made from antique bassinet skirt.

Have you ever bought something just because you had to have it, even though you had no idea what you would ever do with it? I’m pretty sure most of you have.

About 20 years ago, a vendor at a doll show had an elaborate display of antique textiles. Among her wares was a bassinet skirt, cut in half. In her opinion, bassinets were no longer in use so she cut it in half to make the price more reasonable. I thought it was far more likely that one doting grandmother would pay a good price for a breathtaking skirt than it was for two creative sewists to pay a little less for a chopped up bassinet skirt.  But maybe she was right—I was one one of those “sewists” (I really don’t like that word, but it beats sewer) and she had already sold the other half to another like minded lady.

valance top

Maybe I was on a rescue mission, but I knew it was mine and it came home with me. And then it rested in a drawer for all those years. Continue reading →

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Posted in antique textiles, baby accessories, heirloom sewing, home dec, Nana's nursery

Gator Boys

Posted on November 7, 2009 | Leave a comment

appropriately garbed, but he still can’t do the Gator chomp

All three of my grandchildren have outgrown their Gator shirts at the same time, midseason.  I shouldn’t be surprised. They all grow like weeds and one weed grows about as fast as another.

Robert’s new shirt was featured in a recent post. (NOTE:  Check sporting gear category at top of page for more articles on team duds.) Laurel’s puff sleeved tee will be detailed next week.

Now Alastair is game ready, decked out in yet another Ralph Lauren Polo one piece suit,  clearance priced. It is newly disenfrancished from the sport of polo and rededicated to Gator football. Continue reading →

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Posted in embroidery blanks, infant clothing, machine embroidery, sporting gear

Koi Guest Towels

Posted on November 5, 2009 | Leave a comment

Laurel, koi gazing

One of things I love best about machine embroidery is the ability to personalize a gift to the nth degree. Today, I had occasion, once again, to give a uniquely appropriate token of appreciation to some very special friends. Laurel has been studying Japan for a week now, in anticipation of our field trip to the home of our dear friends, John and Susanna. I met Susanna 33 years ago at the public library story hour and we became  fast friends. My Rebecca’s middle name is Susanne in honor of this outstanding lady. Continue reading →

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Posted in home dec, linen blanks, machine embroidery

Bridal Shower Party Favors

Posted on November 5, 2009 | 2 comments

bridalshowerfavortray

 

When the PlayGroup Mamas hosted a bridal shower for my daughter, I assumed my regular assignment–party favors.  For this special shower, embroidered cross stitch monograms were embroidered on these little Aida gift bags.  The  guest party favors were filled with Hershey’s kisses, always appropriate, I think, for engagement and wedding celebrations.

No one loves a bargain more than I do.  So when I saw the bags on clearance, priced at $ .25 each, I bought three dozen, the entire lot.  I had no plan for their use, but I knew that for $9 I had the raw materials for  something wonderful.  Little more than a year later, Rebecca was engaged and my PlayGroup Mama friends scheduled a bridal shower for 3 months later.  Continue reading →

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Posted in embroidery blanks, linen blanks, machine embroidery, party accessories and ideas

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Linen Guest Towels

Posted on November 2, 2009 | 1 comment

new linen towel with machine shadow embroidery with some hand embroidery

My daughter grew up with antique textiles and now genuinely enjoys having them in her own home.  Her sizable collection of guest towels are displayed in her bathroom, interspersed with new towels I have made her.  Due to the company they keep, these too pass for vintage. NOTE:  All the  embroidery is a greyed lavender, not the brilliant purple shown in these pictures.  I’ve got to learn photo shop.

only the R monogrammed towel is new

The shadow embroidered “R” and the surrounding posies are from Suzanne Hinshaw’s  Shadow Work by Machine Monograms  design collection.  The linen towel is a so-called “blank,” and came with white on white  hand embroidery, including fil tire’, its own shadow work and surface embroidery. Continue reading →

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Posted in home dec, linen blanks, machine embroidery

Pair of Pumpkins

Posted on November 1, 2009 | Leave a comment

As we move into November, with Halloween and all  the hoopla associated with that frenetic event, I am busy making Thanksgiving outfits for Laurel, Robert and little Alastair. This is the first time I’ve had three little ones to sew for.   I am really looking forward to seeing them all together, sharing DNA,  matching outfits and family fun.

The children love to participate in dinner preparations and at 2 and 3 years old, Robert and Laurel had limited opportunities to do anything more than get burned.  So they handled the Sister Schubert rolls, painting them generously and sloppily with melted honey butter.  Continue reading →

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Posted in boys, brother-sister, girls, Holiday Projects, machine embroidery

Stamps

Posted on November 1, 2009 | 4 comments

 

 

This is one of Laurel’s favorite dresses. She loves the butterfly “stamps” and I like the versatility of the sundress/jumper pattern, Hanna, from Collars, Etc.  It can be smocked or not.

Laurel in stamps dress, Robert in rocket shirt. He thinks he got the better deal. A strip of that same ribbon, measuring the exact width of the armhole, has been stitched down at either end of the casing. The ribbon is simply whipped with thread in the center, mimicking the knot of a bow, and tacked through the elastic and casing. This gives the illusion of a bow.

Made from brown Imperial broadcloth, the neckline and shoulder ruffle are edge stitched with pink thread. Stitched to wide pink grosgrain ribbon is a brown grosgrain with pink polka dots.

The design concept of “stamps” came from Dianne Boney, associate editor and contributor to Creative Needle magazine.stamp dress components Continue reading →

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Posted in Disney, girls, machine embroidery, techniques