New Patterns Ready To Ship!

We are happy to announce that we have added two new patterns to our collection!  #142 is a bishop bubble and #143 is an updated version of our popular bishop dress pattern which now includes a angel sleeve.  Both patterns include clear instructions and illustrations, along with a basic smocking design.

Michie'

Fabric Shopping

Cold winter evenings are a good time for me to do a bit of online fabric shopping.  My latest purchases are from www.fabricworm.com.  They have a large selection of cotton fabrics suitable for children's clothing with plenty of bright colors and fun prints.  I'm now ready to start planning and sketching out my ideas for each piece.  No fabric hording here.  I like to sew while I'm inspired!

Do you have a favorite fabric source?  

Michie'

Merry Christmas!

1965

Although I don't remember the details of my conversation with Santa, a good guess is that a baby doll, a game, and art supplies were mentioned.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Creations by Michie'!

Boy's Bow Tie Pattern

This is a project that you might already have all the supplies you need on hand.  It is also a quick and easy project with very little machine sewing.  Since Grandda was more than happy to donate a necktie for the project, I chose the Christmas tie that he wore for years.

 I think that this may be upcycling at it's best.  A tie that has lost it's usefulness or in this case it's "cool" factor now has a new purpose in life!

Click here for the free downloadable Bow Tie instructions.  

Michie'

December Sale!

We are clearing out the old to make room for new designs.  During the month of December we have select patterns that we are discontinuing and will be on sale as buy one get one free!  Simply order one pattern at regular price and in the "how did you hear about us" box at the bottom of the order form let us know which pattern you would like for free.

*This sale only applies to the patterns listed below.  This includes your full price and free pattern!  Supplies are limited.

SALE
#105 Sold out!
#106 Sold out!
#108
#116-S Sold out!
#116-L
#118 Sold out
#119 
#130
#130-L
#139

Michie'

Thankful Heart

A season of thanksgiving.  Wouldn't that be better than just one day set aside.  I am embracing a heart of thankfulness that although his health declines my husband still enjoys an afternoon drive, visits with family and friends, and loves for me just to sit with him.  We have had to adopt a quieter life this past year which has actually made us feel a bit more grounded and settled.  These life changes reminded us of how simple things were when we first married and our only goal was to be together.  We are thankful that we can both see God still working in our lives and recognize the gift He has given us in each other.

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise, give thanks to him and praise his name."    Psalm 100:4

Michie'

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A Bow Tie For The Boy

 Bow ties are a quick and easy project and suitable for whatever mood you are in!  Only a bit of fabric, ribbon, and Velcro are needed.  Grandda was more than willing to donate his old Christmas tie for the project and was quite proud of how well it looks on the boy.

Instructions for the bow tie are in the works!

Michie'

Holiday Sewing

I have always enjoyed decorative buttons and have on occasion designed an entire outfit around them.  The Christmas dress, for the girl, will be simple this year.  Red corduroy and sparkly snow flake buttons.  The pattern?  I'm testing a new pattern that should be perfect.   

And for the boy....gray wool pants are ready.  A white button down shirt from Target and maybe a bow tie.  Grandda has several that will not be worn again that might be just right.

Michie'

Color Inspiration

This week my color inspiration came from fresh flowers purchased from the grocery store.  Deep purple and lime green...how inspiring!

I decided to do a color exercise and see how close I could match the flower.  Purple and white gingham represents the outer petals, while dark purple embroidery floss matches the deeper tones.  Bright lime green floss for the flower center adds a contrast and keeps the purples from being boring.  Can you envision a smocked dress using these colors?  I can!

Michie'

A Month In Snap Shots

Michie'

Quilts At The Library

I love visiting our local library in October for the annual quilt show.  Many of the quilts are new and several are very old, but they are all inspiring.  Whether it is the person who made them, hours of quiet stitching, or special fabrics, quilts hold special memories. 

I like my quilts to have special meaning whether it is the fabric I choose or a special design or color combination.  The quilt that I  cherish most was made years ago with scraps of fabrics from things that I made for my children.  Fabric from play clothes, nursery curtains, and a favorite Kindergarten dress are all included.  This quilt has a place of honor on the foot of my bed and every time a touch it I remember how much I loved being a mommy to little ones.

Michie'

Mickey and Minnie

I was excited to be involved with the grand children's Halloween costumes again this year!  The mommies chose Mickey and Minnie Mouse and we divided out the sewing and party planning.  Since football season gives me a bit more time to sew on Saturday afternoons, I took care of  Minnie's dress.  Pattern #131 worked great with the only adjustment being a couple of inches added to the length of the yoke.  Mickey's shorts are being made using pattern #139 out of red broadcloth. 

Since Grandda's birthday is on Halloween and "Minnie" will turn 4 years old  a week later, they decided to share a party this year.  I am more than happy to do the sewing and leave the party planning to others.  :)

Michie'

Nap Fabric

Nap fabrics have a definite surface texture and must be cut in one direction.  If the fabric is not cut correctly it will look like the garment has been made out of different color fabrics.  

Corduroys and velvets have a raised nap that you can feel by running your hand along the surface.  Rub your hand in one direction and it will feel like you are rubbing an animal's fur in the wrong direction.  Rub the fabric the other way and it will feel like you are stroking the animal in the right direction.  Just like stroking the animal from top to bottom, the fabric nap should run from the top of the garment down to the bottom.  Once the direction of the nap has been determined, the pattern pieces can then be laid out.  The example below shows the correct way to lay out pattern pieces with a nap.

Michie'

Fall Sewing

I've pulled out corduroy, twills, and cotton prints and am frantically sewing for the grandchildren in anticipation of cooler weather.  Yes, I tend to wait until the last minute.  My excuse .... what if they grow some more?

Michie'

Fabric Organization

I like to give my studio space a bit of cleaning and organizing at the beginning of each season.  I have taken the time over the last few weeks to tackle the fabric storage problem.  I have kept fabric folded on shelves or baskets for years, but find that some good pieces can get lost in the stack.  

I have been wanting to try the hanging file method for quite some time and am thrilled with the results.  Not only is it neat and tidy, I even found some fabric that I had forgotten about!  

There was just enough twill frog fabric for a jumper for my granddaughter.  Frogs just happens to be the theme of her classroom this year!

What you need

*A hanging file box 
*Hanging file folders (I cut the folder part off of the metal support)
*Neatly press each piece of fabric.  Not necessary!  Fold the fabric to the size of a hanging file and drape over the metal support.

I now have four boxes of neatly displayed fabric sitting neatly on the shelves.

Michie'

Matching Plaids

I have always loved sewing with plaids.  Just a few things need to be kept in mind in order to have a successful sewing experience.  First of all, take a close look at the pattern of the fabric.  The way the fabric is pictured the white stripe is below the small blue stripe. Because of this, the top of all the pattern pieces should be going in the same direction.  This is called a one-directional plaid.



 

I like to prepare the pattern pieces using a ruler and marker and extending the grain line on the pattern piece.  Next, draw a line perpendicular to the grain line.   It does not matter at which point the lines intersect.  Pin the pattern piece to one layer of fabric and cut out.  Flip the pattern piece face down, lining up the marked lines as first piece and cut out. 

 

 

We are now ready to pin and sew.  Right sides together, carefully match the fabric stripes and pin through both layers.  Use plenty of pins and stitch the seam, occasionally peeking between the layers as you go along to make sure that the fabric isn't shifting.  You now have a plaid garment with matched plaids!

 

Michie'

Coming This Spring

Long or short pants with suspenders for the boys.  I have enjoyed testing the pattern using plaid suiting fabric that I found on sale.  Perfect for the boy who can't be still!

Michie'

2014 Fall Inspiration Board

Michie'

Choosing Ribbon For A Dress

When choosing contrasting ribbon for a project, I like to lay out my options.  Each of the 4 colors match well, but I wanted something that stood out and didn't get lost with the busy print.  Because blue and green are not the main colors in the fabric they were the top picks.  I chose the green because it seemed to stand out more and I think it is a little unexpected.  

A pretty pink button for the center of the bow added some fun.

Michie'

Sewing In Snaches

A rainy day gave me a little time for a bit of sewing.  Since I mainly sew in snatches these days, I chose to finish up a few things.  A dress was hemmed, elastic was added to a little pair of plaid dress pants, and fabric was sorted for the next project.  Life is busy and constantly changing, so don't be discouraged by lack of time.  Just do the best you can to carve out time to be creative.

Michie'

Fall Bishop

 

 

Deep Fall colors gave this bishop style dress a rich look. Choosing the floss colors was a bit of a challenge and after several false starts I remembered to follow my own advise and "take it outside." Natural light will show the true colors so that I could finally make a decision and stick to it! I wish that I had the smocking design to share, but I was feeling pretty free spirited at the time .... and just smocked.

Michie'

Embroidered Onesies

  
Baby Stitches 
 
1. White onesies
2. DMC embroidery floss

3. Hand sewing needle

4. Scissors
5. "Heirloom Embroidery Book"

Instructions:  Pick out a design from the book.  Refer to desired embroidery stitches.  Add sweet stitching to a onesie in just a few minutes.  :)

*  I enjoy making these for our local pregnancy center.

Michie'

Shopping For Fabric

If I don't have a particular pattern in mind while shopping for fabric, I make sure that I can envision using it in several different ways.  Blue corduroy and a companion print caught my eye right away.  Each being 60" wide, 1-1/2 yards should be enough for any of the projects I have in mind.  Making a final decision is the hard part!

Michie'

The Purpose Of Rick Rack

Rick rack is inexpensive and wonderful when used as a trim to add  detail to a garment.  But if you are a woman of a certain age, you might have grown up thinking that it's main purpose was for hiding the crease made by an old hem line.  Fabric is more color fast now and tends not to fade along a hem as it once did, but this particular fabric just didn't want to give up the crease that had been repeatedly ironed in.  Once again, rick rack to the rescue!

Michie'

Little Pumpkins For Fall

Inspiration for the "Little Pumpkin" smocking design can be found in the latest issue of Sew Beautiful magazine. I love that pumpkins are suitable all through the Fall, not just one holiday. The lovely orange of the pumpkins also works nicely with many different colors of fabric.

The smocking design can be found in the magazine or on the blog.  The dress is made by pattern #135 and the bubble by #115.

Michie'

A Little Help From My Friends

With the approaching 15th anniversary of the company in January, you can look forward to a new focus on beginners, new patterns, and a whole new look for Creations by Michie'.  It is sometimes hard to admit that you need help, but of course when we get too busy the first thing to go is the time to be creative, which I have truly missed.  Having struggled with that fact for awhile, when the offer of  help came from two lovely young women who have a passion and understanding of the business, I didn't hesitate.  We had a wonderful time at our first meeting discussing the division of duties, new projects, and our vision for the company.

Of course we had a little too much fun at our meeting.  We are women after all.  :)

Michie'

The Pleater Shortage

Pleater- A hand cranked machine for preparing fabric for smocking.

After a bit of investigation we have confirmed the nasty rumour about the lack of pleaters on the market.  Martha Pullen Company, one of the leading manufacturers has stopped production.  My advise would be, if you are interested in purchasing a pleater....do it now.  A Google search for pleaters will direct you to fabric shops that might have a few in stock, or you might try Ebay.  As for brand, I have tried them all over the years with good results. The good news is that a pleater will last for several decades!

*A pleater is not necessary for smocking.

Michie'

Pleating Without A Pleater

Before pleaters for smocking became popular in the mid 1980's, we pleated the fabric by hand. Since recent changes in the sewing industry have made pleaters harder to find, it is time to look back at this method. Patterns that called for smocking had dots that were transferred to the fabric to form a grid for pleating. You can make your own grid for pleating by using a quilter's ruler and a wash-away marker to mark the fabric. Gingham fabric is great to start with, since it practially has a built in grid.  

First, starch and press the fabric.  The horizontal lines are 3/8" apart and the vertical lines are 1/8" apart.  Using quilting thread and a hand sewing needle, knot the thread at one end and following the horizontal lines, bring the needle and thread up through the vertical lines and back down.

After all the stitching is completed, draw the threads up to about 15 pleats per inch and knot the thread. You now have a piece of fabric ready for smocking. *The fabric is drawn up to about a 3 to 1 ratio, so 9" of fabric draws up to about 3".

If you are new to smocking or need to brush up on an old skill the "Beginning Smocking Book" will take you through step by step and includes several smocking designs.

Michie'

A Sunsuit For Hot Summer Days

#132

 

For hot summer days, what could be cooler than a white pique' sunsuit?  The design for the hand embroidered puppy is included in the pattern.


Michie'