Another Free Giveaway!

In honor of Mother's Day, I am having another free giveaway! This time I would like to know, "Who taught you how to sew?" Was it your Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, Home Ec. teacher, or a friend? Let's recognize the wonderful women in our lives who had the desire and patience to pass on the tradition.

So, here are the rules.

* Post a comment, on this post only. No e-mails, please. And, you may only post once.

* Tell us, who taught or is teaching you to sew.
* Your time to enter will end this Saturday night at midnight.

I will randomly draw a name Sunday morning. You can check Sunday's post to see who the lucky winner is. I will then contact the winner, to find out which pattern (or the embroidery book) you would like. This will also give you time to see which pattern you would like to add to your stash!

Good Luck!

Michie'

Embroidery Hoops

I'm going to take time today to answer a few embroidery hoop questions. There are many good hoops on the market and ultimately, you need to use what works best for you! The red plastic hoop pictured above is one that I have used for several years and is one of my favorites. It is a 4" hoop and tightens with a screw. When hooping the fabric, you want it to be smooth, not stretched! I also like the same style hoop in the wooden version. I have several sizes, but seem to use this one the most.

This wooden "hands free" hoop from Wendy Schoen Designs is my all time favorite. It is designed for the flat base to tuck under you leg while you stitch, so that both hands are free. It is fantastic for stitches such as bullions and works great when I am demonstrating for a class. If you are ever stitching and wishing you had an extra hand, this is the hoop for you! It is good quality and the hoop unscrews from the base, so it is easy to pack when I travel. I have wrapped the base part of the hoop in muslin to protect my fabric.

*Embroidery Tip: Always unhoop your embroidery when you lay it down to go do something else! We always think we will get right back to stitching, but many times it may be days before you can pick it up again. Leaving your fabric in the hoop for an extended period of time will sometimes stretch the fabric.

Michie'

Matching Dress and Bubble

After Janet sent the picture of her mother, I pulled out the Sew Beautiful Magazine issue #110, so that I could share the remaining pictures. The article also included the matching dress that I made to go with the bubble. The dress is also made from silk dupioni and the original collar and embroidery design is included in the magazine.


Pattern #124-S includes sizes 3 to 24 months, while #124-L includes sizes 2 to 5. The dress features tiny tucks in the front and buttons all the way down the back. The unusual color combination really gives a simple dress an elegant look!


Michie'

I Love Old Photos!

Janet Gilbert, sent me this fantastic photo of her mother in 1936! The photo reminded her of one of my outfits on a previous blog. She said that the dress was red with white collar trim. We can not tell for sure, but there is either Feather Stitching between the collar pieces or they are joined with Faggoting. The dress has a small placket in front fastened with tiny buttons. Janet and I speculated whether the dress was on backwards, but after a little research I found a similar style from around that same time period. I felt sure that Janet's grandmother would not have dressed her daughter incorrectly for something as important as a photograph! If daddy had dressed her.......well anything is possible.

Thank you for sharing Janet!

Michie'

#111 Pattern of the Week

Our pattern of the week is Boy's Heirloom Bubble #111! The pattern includes sizes 3 - 24 month and features tiny tucks down the front. You may choose from three different collars that may be trimmed with heirloom lace or simple piping. This blue and ecru silk bubble was featured in Sew Beautiful issue #110 and was inspired by a vintage outfit. The pattern for this original collar and sleeve band are in the magazine.

A simple and stylish version, this bubble is made from dusty blue pima cotton, purchased trim, and antique buttons.

This bubble makes me think of baby dedications and portraits! The white heirloom lace and pale blue lawn fabric makes it a very dressy outfit.

The pattern includes clear instructions for applying the heirloom laces to the collars.

Made from white linen and ecru lace, I will be teaching construction for this bubble at Martha Pullen School of Art and Fashion in July.

White linen and Shadow Embroidery gives this outfit a more casual look.

The collar is trimmed with white and yellow Whipped Stitched Piping. Shadow Embroidery instructions and similar designs can be found in the Heirloom Embroidery Book.

On a personal note...I am feeling better everyday and am hoping that I will be able to get back to sewing this week! My husband has been wonderful about doing housework and taking care of errands and meals. He has also stated that once I am back to normal that he plans on forgetting everything that he has learned. :)

Michie'

A Good Husband Will......

A good husband will go to Hancock's Fabrics with a list of patterns that you need really bad and it is too soon for you to be out. All I had to do was open the Sunday sale paper and say, "Oh my gosh! Simplicity patterns are on sale 5 for $5 today only!" His reply, "Make a list. It's not like I haven't pulled patterns for you before." Thanks to my daughter I was able to go to the Simplicity website and pick out my patterns and he was back home in less than an hour. Is that true love or what?

Yes, I am taking care not to do too much this week. Just a little computer work and a whole lot of laying on the couch. Thank you, for the knitting encouragement. I keep hearing, "Your gauge is really good." Not sure what that is, but apparently something that I should be striving for!

Michie'

I Promised You Inspiration

This inspiration comes in the form of spring weather. While the weather is still perfect, we like to have deck sitting marathons. I am proud to say that I won this weekends event. On one of his many trips to Lowe's, my husband brought home a new cushion for my chaise lounge and a cement bunny! Our daughter came over and made sure that I had plenty of magazines and painted my toe nails. As the tee shirt says......"Life is Good!" I challenge each of you to slow down and enjoy the season. The summer heat will be here soon enough!

Michie'