I have always loved sewing since I was a little girl at about 10 and started making Barbie clothes on my Mother's treadle Singer sewing machine. Actually this machine was originally my great grandmother. My uncle had installed a motor on the machine but I was not allowed to use the motor until I was a little older. Mom made almost all the clothes for herself, my sister and myself on this machine. I remember standing in the middle of the kitchen table so Mom could use the hem guide to hem our dresses. When the dresses were done we would spin in the living room to see how far out the skirt would go. That was of course after we sometimes found a wayward pin in the waistline. Not only was Mom an inspiration for my sewing but also my Aunt Kate. If Mom didn't have a solution to a problem with a pattern, Aunt Kate surely did. And then there was my friend's Mom, Mrs. Muir who lived up the street that was always helpful when I needed it. They all encouraged me to keep sewing and I continued to use the old Singer machine. When I got my first full time job, I bought my own new sewing machine. It was a Pfaff cabinet model and I bought it at Witherill's from Mr. Thorne. And, this machine went in reverse! I soon upgraded to a Pfaff free arm machine and then to a Pfaff 1471. I am fortunate to have three beautiful daughters and I can't begin to tell you how many hours are on that 1471 making them clothes from infancy right up to adulthood. Play clothes, dress, coats, 1st Communion dresses, dozens of Halloween costumes - even in high school and prom dresses. For many years I did little sewing and missed what I call "my therapy". There is nothing more relaxing to me than to spend an evening sewing. So, last Spring I bought a used machine. I said, I don't want a fancy one - I don't do embroidery but the 2170 fit the bill for the features I wanted and it did embroidery. Well, I was soon taking classes at Knecht's and have found a love of machine embroidery. I was jealous of the other sewers with their Creative Visions and soon upgraded to one. I am having so much fun with this machine and have found a whole new world of sewing in embroidery. I thought that I would share some of my projects as I go along. I don't profess to be and expert seamstress but I love sewing and I love sharing these with you. Hope you enjoy them too! Thanks for looking.

REMEMBER THAT YOU CAN CLICK ON ANY PICTURE FOR A LARGER IMAGE!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

OLD GLORY






OK, so how many of you heard me say - "But I DON'T quilt" Well, I didn't do embroidery either but now I do both! This Old Glory is the best of both - lots of embroidery and no little bitty pieces to put together - just large squares. The design is by Hoop Sisters and I knew as soon as I saw it that I wanted to make it but what to do with it when it was done. I immediately thought of my nephew Patrick who is in the US Army and has done a tour in Iraq and will be sent to Afghanistan next year. Patrick is also an Eagle Scout and I knew that he would really appreciate it. The construction of this flag quilt is all done in the hoop. The stripes are constructed by the flip and stitch method and the words of the Pledge of Allegiance are embroidered on the white stripes. The stars were a lengthy process in the hoop but the results are very very nice.

Patrick has promised a picture of himself with the quilt.











This is another quilt by Hoop Sisters that is in progress. Again, this "Goosetracks" quilt is ALOT of embroidery and large squares to piece together. All done in the hoop. There is a border to be added.
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Sewing for Kira


Summer is finally here and even though I have not posted in a few months does not mean that I have not been busy. My Pfaff has been humming away churning out all kinds of good things. The arrival of our beautiful new Granddaughter in March gave way to a many sewing projects. This purple dotted seersucker outfit is a Kwik Sew pattern and I added the daisy embroidery to it. Don't just love the daisy buttons too?








This cute little dress and bloomers is also a Kwik Sew pattern. The bonnet is a Simplicity pattern from the 1940/50's that has been republished. I found the material in my stash and is the real dotted swiss; not the cheap stuff they are selling in the big box sewing stores now. The rose embroidery is from the Martha Pullen English Embroidery collection.

But, my most accomplished item is this beautiful Christening gown. This dress was featured in the Martha Pullen Sew Beautiful magazine and we fell in love with it. This was my first attempt at heirloom sewing and I was a little wary of making it but I found out that I love this type of sewing. I thought that it would be difficult but found it to be very enjoyable. The fabric is Swiss Nelona batiste with fine French cotton laces and satin ribbons. I learned many new techniques like the lace joining which was quite easy to do. I'm currently working on a camisole with lace shaping and will post a picture when it is done.






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