Three Sisters Heirloom Sewing

Personally, I love Wintertime and snow,

2011-02-05T12:50:00.003-06:00

but I do enjoy a little sunshine on occasion! Seems that lately we've all had nothing but cold temperatures, rain and snow so I thought I'd share a few "warmer" things. In case you're wondering, yes - those are pillowcase dresses that Sara and Anna are wearing and they are made from actual pillowcases. Now, I'm usually not a big fan of the pillowcase dress (although I've seen some cute ones) because I always enjoy a challenge, and well, they just aren't very challenging to me. These are even more rare (for me) because they are made from a pillowcase. Occasionally someone will ask me to take a perfectly good garment apart and make something else from it - I just can't! It's not my nature to destroy something that is perfectly good and useful, even if it is to make something else.

A couple of years ago while on a family trip to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge I found these linen pillowcases with a crocheted edging on clearance for $2.50 in a quilt shop. I must've been in a destructive mood that day, because I immediately thought they would be perfect for pillowcase dresses. They were constructed with seems on all three sides (instead of having been cut on the fold of the fabric) so I was able to remove seams and create a casing for the gold silk ribbon shoulder ties. I removed enough of the side seams to allow for an armseye. The good thing about this is that after my girls have outgrown them as dresses, I can remove my casing seam and sew all the openings closed again, and they can use them for pillowcases (I just love when you get your money's worth!)

Whew!

2010-12-26T10:50:00.002-06:00

I hope that everyone had the merriest of Christmases! I'm still trying to catch my breath, as this has been the busiest Christmas season EVER for me. I haven't had a chance to post alot since Thanksgiving, but I did want to share these cute pj's. They were made using the Children's Corner Lettie pattern. The main fabric is a multi-dot on pink and it is trimmed with lime microcheck. The pocket (not included in the pattern) is monogrammed in lime as well. I made a matching nightshirt (Maggie's Classics) for baby sister of the same fabric combinations, but (oops) forgot to take a picture of it! I'm sure both of these little girls looked just precious on Christmas morning in their matching monogrammed pj's.

In EVERYTHING give thanks . . .

2010-11-24T00:04:00.004-06:00

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays - we have so much to be thankful for and too often take things for granted. I don't know if you're like me, but there are actually times that I feel guilty when I see how much food we have leftover at the end of the day and I think of those who have nothing. It saddens me to think of those who are alone and have no one to spend Thanksgiving with. Not a Thanksgiving goes by that I'm not reminded of a little girl, who didn't have all the blessings that most of us have been given.

I often tell people who ask that I learned to smock and began sewing children's clothing when I was single and had too much time on my hands. I have always loved to sew and be creative, but in my early twenties I decided to learn to smock. At the time, I never knew how much sewing would become a part of my life. One of the first dresses I ever smocked and constructed is pictured above. It wasn't fancy - just pink batiste, which I probably purchased from Wal-Mart because I just didn't know any better. The only dress pattern I had at the time that allowed for smocking was a McCalls pattern that had tucks on the sleeves and at the hem. The smocking plate is "Alice" by Gayle Meyers, which was the plate given to me in my smocking class and was the only plate I owned at the time. But enough about the dress, let me tell you about the little girl.

The church that I grew up in has always had a large bus ministry that reached out to some of the most poverty stricken areas of the city and brought children to Sunday School and church. As a young adult, I was very unhappy attending the Sunday School class intended for single ladies, because I felt like I was in a roomful of "old maids". I have always loved children and enjoyed working with them, so I volunteered to teach a children's class. This is where I met Peggy. Peggy's older brother was in my 4/5 year old Sunday School class. I'll never forget the first Sunday she came to Sunday School with him. She couldn't have been more than 3 years old. I remember wondering how in the world a mother could put a baby on a church bus with complete strangers and send them to church alone. I still cannot imagine that with my own children. Peggy began attending faithfully each Sunday with her brother. Most Sundays she was dirty and hungry, as were many of the other "bus kids". Because of this, we would always have cookies before our Sunday school lesson - nothing fancy, just those cheap, grocery store brand, creme-filled cookies. Peggy would always hang around a little bit after everyone had left to get a second helping on the cookies. In the fall, children were "promoted" into the 1st Grade class, but because of her age, Peggy got to stay in my class for a few years.

In the spring of 1992, I had just learned to smock. Knowing that most children (even many "bus kids") would have on something special for Easter and since in years past Peggy had worn dirty, ill-fitting clothes I REALLY wanted her to have a pretty new dress for Easter. So the day before Easter, my dad (who drove the bus that picked Peggy up for church) drove me to the apartments where she lived. I remember being so nervous about how her parents would receive my "gift" and if they would even take the time to dress her in it on Sunday. On Sunday morning, she looked so pretty and was so proud of her new dress, and I'll have to admit I was thrilled to see her wearing it. I love the feeling of doing something for someone - not for praise or what they can do for you in return - but just for the joy of doing it. By the time fall came, Peggy was six years old and was promoted to the 1st Grade class, but I still saw her faithfully every Sunday. She would come by for a visit after Sunday School to see if I had any extra cookies, and of course, I always made sure that there were a couple leftover for her and her brother. A couple of days before Thanksgiving 1992 Peggy was in her place for the big "Thanksgiving Supper" hosted each year by the church. On the afternoon of Thanksgiving day, she was missing. Her body was found the day after Thanksgiving, not very far from her home, but as of this day no one has ever been charged with her death.

I know that God has a purpose in all things. When I volunteered to teach a children's class, it was all part of God's plan. I'm thankful that God allowed Peggy to enter my life, even if it was only for a short time.

Matthew 10:42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."

You can tell when it's fall in the south . . .

2010-10-12T08:49:00.003-05:00

Labor day weekend is not just a three-day weekend - it's the kickoff of the college football season. Now here in Alabama, the hot question is "Are you an Alabama or Auburn fan?" I've lived in this state all of my life, and I feel safe to say that I'm probably in the minority - I'm not a fan of either team, I'm happy for whomever wins.

This baby bubble (by Chery Williams) is smocked with "Tiger Cubs" by Ellen McCarn and was made for a sweet little boy's very first Auburn football game.

My favorite christening gown

2010-09-12T15:39:00.005-05:00

A few months ago, I completed this beautiful christening gown. This is probably my most favorite christening gown - EVER. It is designed by Sarah Howard Stone and has 12 teardrop shaped panels - 6 are made of puffing, entredeaux and lace insertion; six are left plain to allow for hand embroidery if desired. It also features a round yoke with puffing, entredeaux and lace insertion. I made a bonnet to match using the same puffing, entredeaux and lace sequence as the gown. I remember looking at it on a hanger and thinking how beautiful it would be on the sweet baby who would later be wearing it. For some reason daygowns, christening gowns and baby things in general just don't look very pretty on a hanger.

Well, here he is - isn't he just precious!!

Thank Heaven for Little Girls . . .

2010-08-28T10:35:00.005-05:00

I've been doing a LOT of baby sewing lately. Seems that my days (and sometimes nights) have been consumed with daygowns, christening gowns, sweet little bonnets and other baby stuff. This is just a sampling of some of the baby girl daygowns that I've finished lately. I love the basic front-button daygown - there are so many options for changing up the front. I love adding some simple pintucks and hand embroidery, but I also love the addition of lace insertion. Sleeves can be straight, have elastic added at the wrist, or (my personal favorite) smocked at the wrist. I always add an inverted center back pleat to give a little more fullness on this style of daygown.

Boy's Diaper Set

2010-08-13T16:42:00.005-05:00

I guess that over the years I've grown so accustomed to making little "girly" things, that I just love the opportunity to do something for little boys. I'm always amazed at the cute things that can be done for little boys.

This was my "practice run" at this little diaper set. I paired the side/shoulder button shirt with a basic diaper cover. I think it turned out really nicely (don't look too closely though - the train doesn't have any wheels at this point!)

2010-08-13T16:32:00.002-05:00

This was the final finished diaper set. I think the shirt looks a little neater after making a few minor adjustments to the shoulder and side button positions (and the train now has wheels!). Rather than the basic diaper cover, I think it looks rather nice with Creations by Michie's diaper cover with the side buttons.

Murphy's Laws of Sewing

2010-07-30T21:19:00.004-05:00

I recently found this and thought it was so cute that I should share it:

Fusible interfacings always fuse to the iron.

If you need six matching buttons, you will find five in your button box.

The seam you mean to rip out is invariably the other one.

If you drop something out of your sewing basket, it will be your box of pins with the cover off.

The magnitude of the goof is in direct proportion to the cost of the fabric.

Your lost needle will be found by the person walking around barefoot.

The steam iron only burps rusty water on white swiss batiste.

Pinking shears get dull just by looking at them.

Gathering threads always break in the middle.

The scissors cut easiest past the buttonhole.

(Taken from 501 Sewing Secrets: Tips, Treasures & Trivia)

I just love white dresses on little girls . . .

2010-06-24T18:39:00.006-05:00

My husband has always accused me of making "too many white dresses" for our daughters. Of all the dresses I've made for them over the years, white does seem to be the dominant color. There's just something about a crisp, clean white dress that I absolutely love!

In my last post, I think I referenced the dress I was working on at the time, a reproduction of a little dress from a French boutique. This sweet little dress features hand embroidery on the front yoke with a series of pintucks on either side of an embroidered insert. The little embroidered piece is inserted with entredeaux, and the neckline is finished with entredeaux and a tiny lace edging.

I always try to take pictures of my garments, but there is just something about seeing the finished garment on the child for whom it is intended. I hope you can see some of the detail in these photos.

2010-06-24T18:33:00.002-05:00

Boy's Smocked Swimsuit

2010-06-09T17:29:00.005-05:00

Well, summertime is officially here in Alabama. It is H-O-T!! I'm working on trying to get my three all into a good routine and still have somewhat of a routine for myself. I'm sure that by the time I get it all worked out, it will be "back to school" time again.

I'm working on a really cute little boy's diaper set (I can't wait to share this one!) and a reproduction of a dress from a French boutique. I hope to have them both finished really soon and I'll have the pictures up as soon as they're done.

In the meantime, I've decided to post a picture of a boys swimsuit with a smocked insert. This is so easy to do if you've just got a basic elastic waist shorts pattern. It also looks really cute to omit the smocked insert and add a 3 letter monogram to the leg instead.

All work and no play . . .

2010-05-28T21:31:00.004-05:00

We all need a break every now and then. The last day of school for the girls was Friday, and we had to attend graduation on Sunday afternoon (Emily is in the choir, and they always perform the Hallelujah Chorus at the end of the ceremony). Immediately following graduation, my mom, sister and I (along with my three girls and my sister's two boys) left for a mini-vacation to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge.

While there, we took the kids to the new Titanic museum. They were all anxious to find out at the end if they survived (upon entering, you are given a "boarding pass" with the name of an actual passenger, and a brief bio of that person - age, why they were on board, etc.) It was interesting to see why these people were on board what "class" they were in. The museum itself was designed to make you feel like you were actually on the ship, beginning in the hull of the ship with the third class cabins and ending on a upper deck where you could feel the actual temperature of the water on the night the ship went down. It was very educational for me as it was for the kids. Sometimes we have the Hollywood image of things and don't really stop to think about the actual people who were involved. If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend visiting the Titanic.

The "Blue Issue"

2010-05-11T10:16:00.008-05:00

What a busy, busy month May has already been! I've recovered from Easter and am frantically trying to get summer things finished before the end of the month. I can't believe summer's almost here!

EXCITING NEWS!!

The May/June issue of Sew Beautiful Magazine includes my variation of a popular swimsuit that has been available in the past from trunk shows/home parties. The best part of all, is SB included a FREE pattern on the pull-out centerfold! I've been so pleased with the response we've received from this article. If you don't subscribe, PLEASE be sure to pick up a copy of this issue. There are just too many pretty things in this one to list. I've already made a daygown for a baby boy using one of the ideas in this magazine and can't wait to make a dress from the pattern featured on the cover.

Another Easter Picture

2010-04-14T08:43:00.012-05:00

As promised, here is a picture of the Three Sisters on Easter. I'm sorry that they're not all sporting big happy smiles, but their cousins were running around playing and I just felt fortunate to get them together and still long enough for a photo. Sara's and Anna's bishops are made of a lightweight linen that I've had in my "stash" for a while. I smocked them with "Linda's Rosebud Collar", which I have just about decided is my all-time favorite plate - in spite of the gazillion bullion rosebuds! It's so pretty smocked on a collar, a plain bishop (like these) or even on a straight yoke. I love when something is so versatile!

Now to give Emily equal time, her outfit was very cute, although storebought (ya'll just don't know how much it is killing me that she has outgrown my little dresses!) Her skirt is brown with white polka dots and trimmed in a cute brown/white striped ribbon. I guess if I tried hard enough I could still make things for her, but there comes a point when you realize it just doesn't look right anymore. I'm just enjoying being able to still do things for Sara and Anna; they grow up so fast!

The Easter Parade . . .

2010-04-05T19:18:00.019-05:00

I'll be honest with you: this Easter nearly wore me out!! I finally finished the last customer project on Saturday morning at about 9:00. I was really proud of myself though, because I had smocked Sara's and Anna's dresses back around Christmas, so I was a little ahead of the game and didn't have to stay up late Saturday night sewing, or so I thought. I went to bed Saturday evening and woke up in a panic at 2:30 a.m. (do you ever do that?) and realized that I had forgotten to hem their dresses! Well, I got up and hemmed them and then went back to bed. They were so pretty!

I'm running behind on uploading my pictures, so I'll have to show you Sara and Anna later. Here are just a few of the customer projects I completed this Easter.

Spring is just around the corner . . .

2010-03-13T08:58:00.007-06:00

I just love springtime!! I guess I could make a list of all of the "springtime" things that I love, but it would probably get pretty lengthy - so I won't. I guess the biggest thing that I associate with this season is our celebration of Easter. I sometimes jokingly say that "well dressed children and a clean house make me happy" - isn't that appropriate? I mean, spring cleaning and children in beautiful Easter clothes - can't get much better than that!

A lot of people start planning baby dedications, baptisms and Christenings in the spring as well. For the past few weeks, I have not only been pre-occupied with Easter sewing, but have made several Christening/dedication gowns as well.

This first picture is my version of a Sarah Howard Stone gown. It's hard to fully appreciate this gown from the photo. The skirt on this gown is made of 12 teardrop shaped panels - six are plain to allow for hand embroidery and six are made of puffing, lace and entredeaux. The skirt will almost lie flat in a complete circle. I can't wait until I receive a photo of the precious child wearing this beautiful gown!

2010-03-13T08:53:00.001-06:00

This simpler dedication gown was conceived from a daygown design. It has 1/4 inch tucks and 1 inch wide lace insertion at the yoke and the same sequence is repeated at the hemline. I know different denominations do things differently, but being Baptist myself, I know if I walked into my church with my child in a Sarah Stone designed Christening gown I might get a few funny looks. A lot of today's churches have taken a more casual approach to things and a gown similar to this one would be very appropriate in those churches.

Talk of Alabama

2010-02-26T21:06:00.010-06:00

What a busy, busy week!

Have you ever had one of those weeks that seems like you're just hopping and never get to slow down? Usually when I have one of those, it's not a good thing.

This week actually seems like it began last week - talk about hectic! We spent six days on a family vacation in Gatlinburg, returned home and I was given a unique opportunity to feature some heirloom clothing for children on a local television news/talk show. It was SO EXCITING! I have had one or two things that have made it to magazines in the past, but never television - I was scared to death! I'm not much of a talker and definitely don't like being in front of a camera.

I've posted a couple of pictures from our TV appearance. The video of our interview can be viewed at www.abc3340.com. I took my friend and mentor Billie McAndrews with me; she owns Billie's Heirloom Sewing in Birmingham, which in my opinion is the best little shoppe around! She has such a wonderful selection of laces, many that aren't available anywhere else. Billie was very nervous as well, and as we were walking into the studio, turned to me and said "I think I'm just going to wait here!" I very respectfully (Billie's the same age as my grandmother) told her that she couldn't bail out on me at the last minute, and you know what? She did great! I hope that we will get other opportunities similar to this in the future. It was so much fun!!!

I'm so proud of Emily!

2010-02-04T09:51:00.000-06:00

My oldest daughter, Emily (age 12) made this version of Petite Poche's Vintage Baby Bubbles. This was her entry in the textile category for the Alabama Christian Education Association's art competition this past week. I love the look of this bubble - it looks like a diaper set, but when unbuttoned on the sides, is one flat piece. The little chick is done by madiera applique, and for her first attempt at that, Emily did an excellent job. She won a first place blue ribbon among all junior high school students in the state!!

Holly and Hunter with a personal touch

2010-02-04T09:21:00.000-06:00

This sweet little romper actually began with the Holly and Hunter pattern by Bonnie Blue. I added an inch to both sides at to allow for a small elastic casing under the arm (similar to Children's Corner's Bobbie pattern). For a more feminine look, I added a ruffle to the shoulder strap and bows at each side from a coordinating gingham ribbon. The customer wanted her daughter to be able to wear this now with a blouse or turtleneck underneath, as well as in the spring, so I lengthened the legs to ankle length. The extra inch I added to each side also helped give the legs a little fullness for the elastic added at the ankles. The monogram is "Monogram Script" from Monogram Wizard Plus.

I think buttons covered in gingham to match the ribbons would have been really cute, but since this is for a baby, I opted with a more secure basic button.

I'm so excited!!

2010-01-14T11:14:00.000-06:00

I've been working all morning on, well, I'm afraid if I tell I'll "jinx" things. I know, I know - I'm really not that superstitious. So, since I can't tell yet I think I'll just tease with this sweet picture of Anna and Sara. This was taken last summer at Anna's 6th birthday party. Don't you just love this little bikini?!

Welcome!

2010-01-10T13:46:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Three Sisters Heirlooms! I'm new to blogging, so I have a lot to learn - but I'm really excited about some things that will be happening over the next few months.