Inspired By Buttons

This is not the first time in my many years of sewing that I fell in love with buttons and designed an outfit around them!  I often use pretty buttons as the focal point and keep the rest of the outfit simple. Pattern #133 had the look I was going for and navy DMC floss tied the white pique' fabric and white and navy buttons together.

To keep things simple, I added a Running Stitch to the collar.

Is there a secret for keeping the stitching straight and even?  Yes there is!  

Cut out the collars; starch and press.  Using a wash-away marker, mark the seam allowance around the outer edge of the collar.  Thread the sewing machine with thread the same color as the collar.  Set the stitch length to the length you would like your Running Stitch and stitch 1/4" from the seam allowance.  Thread a hand sewing needle with 3 strands of embroidery floss and stitch the Running Stitch close to the machine stitching using it as a guide.  When the stitching is completed, tie off the floss and pull out the machine stitching.  Attach the lining to the collar and complete the garment.  :)

Little tricks and tips go a long way to achieve a profession look.

Michie'

Featured Patterns #111 and #112

 Pattern #111
A dedication bubble suitable for those special occasions.  The bubble features pleats down the front with a choice of three  collars. Detailed instructions are included for adding your favorite laces along with a selection of embroidery designs.

Sizes:  3 - 24 mos.

Pattern #112
The Christening Gown has  front and back pleats and three-quarter length sleeves.  With a choice of three heirloom collars the gown may be given a tailored look or dressed up with lace insertion and embroidery.  A selection of embroidery designs and slip pattern are included.  The finished gown length is 29”.

Sizes:  3 - 12 months

Michie'

Featured Patterns #107 and #109

The  banded bubble,  is  a one-piece bubble with a two-piece  look.    Choose from two classic collar styles or a simple neckband.  Mock suspenders attach at the shoulders and at the front waistband. Collars may be trimmed with piping or embroidery.

The infant shirt and diaper cover includes a traditional shirt with a Peter Pan collar which may be trimmed with piping, lace, faggoting or a simple neckband.  A soft pleat in the center back provides fullness for comfort.  The diaper cover has elastic in the back and at the leg openings and buttons in front.  A selection of embroidery designs are included.

Michie'

Featured Patterns #101 and #102

We will be featuring a few patterns each week to show off our new look and share some sewing inspiration.  Our new website is still in the works, so although the patterns on the website show the old version everything sent out is now the new look!

A daygown is a lovely addition to baby's wardrobe.  The pattern offers the choice of either a plain yoke suitable for embroidery or a smocked version. Three different sleeves to choose from and a drawstring version adds variety for the sewer to choose from.
 *The smocking design shown is Ellen McCarn's "Mo-stroloy".

The pleated bubble features a center box pleat and is suitable for baby boy or girl.  Choose from two classic collar styles or a simple neckband.  Embroidery designs for the round collar of front pleat are included in the pattern.


Michie' 

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'

A New Look For A Favorite Pattern

Sewing gives us the chance to be creative, so I always love taking a favorite pattern and giving it a new look.  Designed with a center pleat, daygown pattern #119, is given a new look with an inverted pleat.  And how is this done?  Just stitch the center pleat with the right side of the fabric together, instead of the wrong side as instructed in the pattern. 

Turn on your creativity and have some fun!

Michie'

The Baby Gift

For a special friend, soon-to-be mommy, who is decorating the nursery in teddy bears. A sweet diaper shirt set.  The bear design can be found in the Heirloom Embroidery Book.

Michie'

Those Sweet Legs

I love outfits with elastic at the leg openings, which are also know as bubbles, on the little guys. A soft elastic is very forgiving and will not pinch their thighs. And most of all.. I like to show off those sweet legs and not a printed diaper!

Michie'

White and Ecru Christening Gown

Christening gowns should be beautiful and made with the best fabric and laces, but not detract from the true masterpiece, the baby.  It is the baby that is being dedicated and at the same time that is who friends and family have come to see. 

  

For a truly special gown, check to see if anyone in the family has a wedding dress that will never be worn again.  If the fabric is not suitable, some of the lace might be just what the gown needs.  And last but not least, pass the gown around with love and give it a family history.

  

Michie'

Baby Bunnies To Embroidery

Is your Spring sewing all planned out?  I'm still making a final decision on a special Easter dress.  In the meantime, here are some ideas for a simple baby bunny embroidery design. 

Classic dress #131

Classic Bubble #115

Baby Dress #122

Dedication Bubble #126

Pleated Daygown #119

A smocked version of the bunnies is almost ready to share.  :)

Michie'

Smocked Daygown

A smocked daygown for baby made out of soft white flannel and smocked with "Baby Rattles" from the "Beginning Smocking" book.  The "Baby Rattles" are a good introduction to picture smocking and include a detailed tutorial.

Michie'

A Daygown for Boy or Girl

Good quality lace and the best cotton fabric should always be used for a true heirloom garment.  A daygown suitable for boy or girl, with tiny tucks, and a bit of lace.  A daygown that can be treasured and passed down through the family.

Michie'

Winter Sewing

The new Sew Beautiful Magazine has arrived and is full of wonderful ideas for winter sewing.

Not wanting to let the baby boys to be left out, I once again have something in the magazine especially for them.  A long sleeve daygown made out of mint pima cotton with a sweet little train embroidered on the front yoke.  

It had a couple of winter babies and this is just the type of gown that looked so sweet on them.  

Michie'

Baby's First Christmas

Suitable for baby boy or girl, sweet little gowns for their first Christmas.  Soft white pima cotton or flannel with a tiny bit of embroidery.  The baby is the first thing we want to see..... then the lovely gown.

Michie'

A Few More Ideas For Christmas Embroidery

A bit more inspiration.  I would love to hear what you are sewing!

Michie'

A Daygown For Baby

Pattern #128

Sweet and simple, tiny buttons down the front and a touch of embroidery.  Soft pima cotton or flannel for baby.

Michie'

Blue Linen Daygown

Pattern #119

The daygown is made from blue handkerchief linen with hand Bridging attaching the lace to the collar.  The sheep is hand stitched using French Knots for his white fluffy body.  The instructions for the hand bridging and the design for the sheep can be found in the pattern.

Michie'

Diaper Shirt And Cover

#109

A diaper shirt and cover is still one of my very favorite outfits for the new baby.  Could that be because I made a similar outfit to bring my first born home from the hospital in 35 years ago?  I would think so!

Michie'

For Baby Boy

Just right for a new baby boy.  A pale blue and white diaper shirt with bridging around the collar and tiny tucks.

Buttons all the way down the back and no snaps to fuss with during diaper change.  

Pattern #122

Michie'

White Daygown With A Blue Collar

 How about a white daygown with a pale blue collar?  A bit of pale blue embroidery and a Shadow embroidered baby buggy ties everything together.

The daygown is made out of pima cotton using Baby Daygown pattern #128.  The tucks are stitched in and then the daygown is cut out.  The embroidery design for the baby buggy is included in the pattern.

Michie'