"Rigsby the Robot" Jon-Jon

I just had to share what my friend Suzanne Shelton, owner of "Olivia Anne Designs" did with the Jon-Jon pattern! The robot applique' is part of her Ready-Set-Applique collection. Suzanne has a special talent for putting bold color fabrics together. I also love what she did with black and white piping and the large buttons. Without a doubt Christian will be needing a "Rigsby the Robot" Jon-Jon.

* And what am I doing right now? Getting ready for Martha Pullen School which is NEXT WEEK! Trying to clean up the sewing room as I pack my stuff, leave the house in good order, cook a few meals for the freezer, and preparing a couple of blogs to launch while I am gone. Hope to see you there!

Michie'

Play Clothes For Emma

No sooner had a I told Rex that I thought that I needed to cut back on the sewing for the grand babies, because "They don't need a thing" Emma's mommy e-mailed to let me know that she is out growing everything! First thing I did was go through the Trunk Show to see if there was anything in the appropriate size.

This playsuit made by pattern #123 is on oldie but goody. If you have taken Picture Smocking from me you will recognize it! The smocking design is by "June Bugs Designs." Their graphs are very clear and easy to read.

I made this sunsuit #132, a few weeks ago out of scraps from an earlier project. Any outfit made from leftovers is considered free. So the cost of the outfit was the cost of the two buttons!

I thought that I would give you a peak at my new design wall. Staging garments for photos in my small room is always a challenge. Anna came up with buying cheap pictures frames, both had very ugly prints in them, painting the frames white and hanging the garments in the center. Doesn't it look artsy? Apparently Anna is very creative in the middle of the night while up feeding "Chunky Monkey."

*The dress on the left is made by pattern #116.

Michie'

A Quick Diaper Shirt With Bullion Embroidery

We discovered really fast that Christian is most comfortable in diaper shirts, so at his request I got busy on another! How could I resist? The fabric was already in my stash and he is already such a boy that he needed a manly print. Once again Rex asked if I had cut up one of his shirts! "No dear, but you have one that looks a lot like that...."

Since Christian is working on growing a double chin, I cut the neck slightly larger. I was able to make the shirt in one afternoon, do the handwork that evening, and the Bullion frog the next morning. Now, that is what I call "Nana Sewing!" The frog is from "Australian Smocking's A-Z Bullion Book", which happens to be one of my favorites. If you have not tried Bullion animals, they are extremely quick and easy. This little frog took me less that 15 minutes.

*These pictures are about 2 weeks old and Christian now 7 weeks old and weighs 11.5 lbs. The boy is getting plenty to eat! He is not a red head yet, although we are all hoping!

Michie'

Smocked Watermelons

Our little Emma is getting to be quite the big girl now! Sitting up all by herself! I asked her not to grow too fast, but apparently I have been ignored.

Christian was about 3 weeks old when I looked at him one morning and said, "Listen buddy, Nana NEEDS a sewing fix!" He decided that I could go home for a few days for break. On the way home I stopped and picked up green gingham with a project in mind. The next morning at 6:30 I was redrafting my bishop in pattern into a bishop bubble with angel sleeves.

I had Ellen McCarn's "Watermelons" smocking design in my stash which I made a few changes to. After getting to smock and sew for a couple of days, I felt like my old self again and was able to stick a new outfit in the mail to Arizona.

We refer to this picture as "Yoga Baby". Don't you wish you were this limber?

Michie'

Applique' Jon-Jon Details

As all sewers know, putting buttons on an outfit MUST be the hardest part, because we certainly put that little task off! Since Anna and Christian are still visiting, I am basically getting no sewing none, but I did manage to get the Jon-Jon finished.

I do so little machine applique' that I usually wait until Anna is around and we can do it together. Most people are surprised that I have not mastered the embroidery aspects of the sewing machine, but we all have to be good at something and I choose to let this be Anna's area.

We all decided that you can't help but smile when you look at the appliqued lobster on this summer Jon-Jon! The lobster came from Bunnycup Embroidery, one of our favorite websites.

Are you getting in summer sewing done?

Michie'

Size Chart

I now have an official size chart! The size chart may be viewed through the website with the individual patterns or you may click here to download a printable copy.

Isn't that a sweet face? Christian is now 5 weeks old and he and Anna are both doing great. Apparently this is the face you make after spitting up on everyone in the household.....

Michie'

Jon-Jon Tutorial

I know that pictures are often a huge help with instructions. The Jon-Jon pattern is very simple, but turning the leg openings can be a little confusing.

Here I have stitched together a Jon-Jon out of pale blue pique' and lined it with white Imperial Broadcloth. I am now to Fig.18 in the pattern instructions. You may start with either leg opening. Hold the side seam of the outfit in one hand and the side seam of the lining in the other.

Still holding the side seams, pull them out away from each other and up and over the outfit. You will continue until they are pulled over the top of the outfit and the right sides of the outfit side seam and the lining side seam meet.

Pin the two side seams together. My right hand is holding the pinned seams and my left hand is holding one of the crotch openings. Fig.19 shows lining these up together, and preparing to pin.

I have now pinned across the entire length of the leg opening. Fig.20.

Stitch the entire length of the leg opening and trim the seam to about 1/4". Fig.20

Fig.21 and 22, shows reaching into one of the crotch openings and pulling the outfit right side out. This picture shows me reaching in and by holding onto one of the shoulder piece, gently working the outfit right side out.

After turning the outfit right side out, you now have one leg opening completed. Follow the same instructions to complete the second leg opening.

I am now ready to complete the crotch openings and add buttons! You can look forward to a picture of the completed Jon-Jon and details about the embroidery design!

*I am aware that the website is down. I'm sure it will be up and running in no time at all!

Michie'