Fabric Sources

One of the most frequently asked questions that I get is, "Where do you buy your fabric?" I am very lucky that where I live in North Alabama there are several excellent fabric stores. We have "S&R Sewing Center" in Decatur and "Barb's Sewing Center" in Huntsville. When we travel I make sure that I have checked for stores along the way to stop at. I usually know right away what I want to make from the fabric, so I carry a notepad to write my ideas down. There are also many websites that carry everything I could possibly need. Some of my favorites are, http://www.heirloomsewingforchildren.com/, www.sews.com, http://www.adriannes.com/, and http://www.elegantstitches.com/. Some of the shops will send fabric swatches on request and are also very helpful in suggesting matching trims and companion fabrics.

Snips and Snails...

When looking for an idea for a new embroidery design for little boys I always stop and try to think of what my boys would have liked. That would have been anything that crawled or wiggled, including a smiling snail! This classic bubble is made from a gold micro check with a white Imperial batiste collar trimmed with piping. A strip of gingham added to the bottom of the collar added a touch of color. The snail is hand embroidered using DMC embroidery floss and a few simple stitches which are all included in the Heirloom Embroidery Book. Feel free to use this snail design to add some summer fun to your sewing project!

Embroidery Stitches

Body: Backstitch
Shell: Chain Stitch

Eyes: Straight Stitch

Trail: Running Stitch

Flower Girl Dresses

Last Spring I got the phone call from college that can turn your world upside down... "Guess what, I'm getting married!" My reaction was, "You can't, I don't know how to plan a wedding!" But as the youngest child and only daughter, she was sure I could pull it off if she gave me 3 months. Fortunately she wanted something simple and we were able to do the planning through phone calls and emails while she fininshed up her semester of college out of state. Her one request was that I not bother to make the wedding dress but to make the two flower girl dresses instead. Considering that she had found the perfect dress for less than I could make it and that children's clothes are my specialty, I thought it was an excellent plan. She described what she wanted, I emailed a couple of sketches for her to chose from. The pattern she chose was #131 Classic Dress. The dress was made from lavender Imperial Broadcloth with tucks added across the bodice. The sash was ribbon that was purchased at a craft store and then I added silk ribbon flowers, leaves, and seed pearls to dress it up a little. The dress turned out perfect for our simple afternoon wedding and were dresses that the little girls could enjoy wearing over and over again.

Changes

With the last of the four kids moving out last year, my husband and I decided to downsize. After much discussion, thought, and prayer, we put the big house with the big yard on the market. We were then scrambling to find a house when it sold in 6 weeks instead of the predicted 6 months! The perfect house was available at the right time and suddenly we were moving the first of May. It felt odd picking out a house that only had to suit us, along with being alone for the first time in 31 years! Our new house is half the size of the old and the yard is tiny. We spent months deciding what we really wanted to keep and gave away or donated a ton of stuff. The kids came and cleaned out their things and since we have never been attached to "things" the process was very freeing. My work area is slightly smaller so I am still experimenting with the most efficient layout for it. Once again my husband was greeted at the door with, "Hey, I have a new idea for the sewing room!" I know he will be glad when I make up my mind! He commented one day that the oddest thing about being alone after all these years, is that every time he hears my voice, he knows that I am talking to him.

Christening Gown Season!

Once again it is that time of year when we seem to be either Christening or dedicating those new babies! When I did custom sewing years ago, Christening gowns were always my favorite project. They can either be plain or fancy and on occasion I even reproduced a gown that had been in the family for generations and was to fragile to wear again! Maybe you have been working and planning that special gown for months or maybe it has just occurred to you that you better get busy now! Pattern #112 might be just what you are looking for. The gown is a simple design and is not overloaded with lace or complicated techniques. The pattern has clear instructions for those new to heirloom sewing and the Shadow Embroidered cross and Feather Stitching are both quick and easy. This gown can easily be completed in a weekend! I always recommend that the gowns be made from the best 100% cotton, linen, or silk fabric that you can afford. Also be sure to use 100% cotton lace and thread. You want your gown to last for generations and we are discovering that only natural fibers pass the test of time.

Spring Flowers

I'm ready for it to be warm enough to plant spring flowers! While I wait, this little dress filled the need to play with flowers. The dress was made by pattern #130, using white pique and green cotton for the border. I eliminated the hem of the dress when cutting it out, then cut a border out of the green fabric the depth that I though looked good. The border was then sewn to the bottom of the dress using a basic Madeira technique. I pulled out colorful cotton prints for the neck bindings, yo-yo flowers, and covered buttons for the centers. Then I discovered that it was going the take a trip to the local quilting store to refresh my memory for making the flowers! I never mind a trip anywhere when there is fabric involved! Once I decided where to place the flowers on the dress it was just a matter of attaching the rickrack by hand with DMC floss. It was such a fun and simple little dress to make and I loved getting to pick out the different fabrics!

Bullion Stitched Bunny

This little boy's bubble, featured in Sew Beautiful magazine several years ago, will always be one of my favorites! Because of the classic style and simplicity of the pattern, #102 Pleated Bubble has remained one of my most popular patterns. The outfit is made from pale blue Imperial Broadcloth and the collar is trimmed with purchased white tatting which was stitched on by hand. The instructions for the bullion stitched bunny and the feather stitching are in the Heirloom Embroidery Book. The bunny is stitched with three strands of DMC floss and for the feather stitch I used one strand of floss. Always use a millner's needle for the bullion stitch for the best results. It is a fun stitch to master and is suitable for all types of garments.