Spring Inspiration Board

The inspiration boards are now updated and ready with ideas for Spring sewing.  I covered both boards with a neutral tan fabric and am doing a lot of pinning these days.   

I also like to have a small board behind the sewing machine.  It is great for photos, my favorite embroidery hoop, and buttons that I am try to keep up with.

My sewing machine is a Baby Lock "Ellure."  I have never owned more than one sewing machine at a time.  My space is limited and knowing how to use one machine really well has always worked out just fine for me. :)

Michie'

A Linen Bubble For Easter

Maybe your little guy needs something simple or maybe you just need some simple Easter sewing this year. Whichever the case may be, sometimes less is more and a touch of silk ribbon embroidery is enough.  

Pleated Bubble #102 was used for this classic, but simple outfit made out of pale blue and white handkerchief linen.

A simple silk ribbon bunny was the only embellishment that was needed.  

Michie'

Easter Ideas For The Boys

A couple of ideas for Easter to help get you planning.  If you are planning on doing any smocking you might want to get started right away!  The Baby Romper #138 appeared in Sew Beautiful last Spring and the bunny smocking design was included in the magazine.

The Classic Bubble #115, is smocked with Ellen McCarn's "Rubber Duckies."

The Jon-Jon #137 is smocked with a design from an out of print issue of Creative Needle Magazine.

Is your Easter sewing underway?  I would like to hear about what you are working on.

Michie'

A Good Pair Of Scissors

Really good scissors are important, especially when working with the more delicate fabrics and laces. These are my favorite and happen to all be the Gingher brand.  The stork scissors are for cutting button holes.  The rounded ones do all my basic snipping and are perfect for cutting fabric close to lace.  The large pair are for all my basic cutting.  In the 15 years that they have lived in my sewing room, I have had the large pair sharpened twice.  Not bad considering the number of miles that they have on them.  When I still had children at home, each pair of scissors had a tiny red ribbon attached to them.  This reminded everyone that the scissors were only for fabric and thread.

Michie'

Free Valentine's Day Smocking Design

While braving freezing rain to stand in a long line at Hobby Lobby to buy DMC floss, #437 to be exact, I noticed that the seasonal decorations are out for Valentine's Day.  I have loved Valentine's Day ever since I discovered in first grade that not only do you get to make paper hearts, you also get to give cards to your friends, and there is candy!  What is not to love?  

Since blog readership has doubled since last year, I knew that this sweet smocked bishop would be new to many of you. Click here for the free downloadable smocking design. 

Michie'

More Ideas For Window Smocking

#137

#122

#126

Since the instructions for Window Smocking are in the latest Sew Beautiful Magazine, I thought that you might like a couple of suggestions for other patterns suitable for this technique.  The Jon-Jon #137, Baby Apron #122, and Dedication Bubble #126 can all be made with a plain front and look great with the added smocking.  The best thing about doing a small bit of smocking, is that you don't have to worry about all of your cute little smocked objects being the same size!

Michie'

New Sew Beautiful Magzine

The new issue of Sew Beautiful Magazine is out and is absolutely full of Spring sewing inspiration!  It is very hard for me to sew garments for warm weather when is is 30 degrees outside, so this just what I needed to get me in the mood.

My article for the boys in this issue gives the instructions for adding a smocked square of fabric to a plain garment.  This would also be cute on the front of a Jon-Jon.

And a nice surprise for me was finding that my Baby Dress pattern was used in an article featuring some of the sweetest little dresses ever.

How do you get in the mood for Spring sewing?

Michie'

The Snap Tape Hint

It feels as if I have sew yards and yards of snap tape the past few weeks.  Wait!  With both kids liking the comfort of overalls, I actually have been.  :)

I hate the way the presser foot jumps as it approaches the snaps.  The best thing that I have come up with is to pin next to each and every snap and not take the pin out until the needle is extremely close to it.  Once I get to the end of the snap tape and head up the other side, I take time to pin once again. It makes a huge difference and saves a lot of frustration.

Here is a peek at my "Save those thrift store overalls" project.  We found them at the thrift store, cute as could be, only a couple of dollars, but after getting them home we discovered that they would not stay snapped.  Anna immediately rejected my idea of sewing up the legs, so I had to come up with something else.  I cut off the fabric where the snaps were attached and made a new binding out of contrasting fabric and stitched on snap tape.  Maybe not a new fashion statement, but I doubt the little guy will mind while pushing his cars around.  

Michie'

Jon-Jon And Shirt

I love what Patrice did with the Jon-Jon pattern and the Diaper Shirt pattern!  Click here for details about her project.  I have made numerous Jon-Jon's and overalls for our two little kids this winter.  Right as I thought I was finished, one of them had a growth spurt and outgrew everything!

Are you ready for Spring sewing?  Easter is early this year!

Michie'  

A Celebration Quilt And A Wedding

I always like to start the new year off with a new project and this year a celebration quilt is needed.  Quilts are needed for new babies and new spouses in our family.  In this case, a new daughter-in-law has joined our group!  The quilt represents the fall colors in her wedding bouquet and his ice climbing adventures.  

Married New Years Eve in South Korea where they met, work, and live.  Wish I were there to give you both a hug.  Welcome to the family Rachel.  We love you both!

Michie'/Mom