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!

Monday, August 8, 2011

Boldt Castle July 24, 2011









Ok - so this isn't a sewing project, but thought I would throw it in the mix. This was Kira's first trip to Boldt Castle and knowing her Mom, It won't be her last. It was one of the most perfect days we have had this summer - not too hot and just a little breeze. A beautiful day with almost the whole family. If you haven't been to the Castle, you should visit. They are constantly working on it and new things to see with every visit.
Posted by at No comments:

Sewing Room






So - this would be where I spend all my spare time. Since the girls and Derric have moved onto their own homes, I have this large bedroom that I have turned into my sewing studio. My sewing before was done in the basement family room. This is so much nicer with all the windows, air and natural light. I have three active sewing machines - Pfaff Creative Vision for sewing and embroidery, Pfaff Expression 2.0 to use while the Vision is humming away on an embroidery or for visiting daughters to use and the Pfaff 4.0 Coverlock serger. I have the Koala Quilt Pro IV cabinet with the outback extension which gives plenty of workspace for large projects or the extra machine. I also love my large cutting table which is cabinet height and saves on my back. This room can still be used as a guest room as there is a pull out love seat in the corner - but that visitor will have to put up with my late night sewing habit!
Posted by at No comments:

Overnight travel bag for Kira





I bought this Amy Butler Weekender Travel Bag pattern quite a long time ago but never found material that I wanted to use for me. Then, I thought, this is the perfect size for my little grand daughter when they go away for the weekend. It's big enough to put in a week's worth of baby clothes! Her mother, my daughter, picked out the fabric at Sew Creative in Fairport, NY and it took me two lo-o-ng evenings to make. The fabric is a Michele D'Amore collection. The large flower print is accented with a matching brown polka dot bias cording and lined with a reverse polka dot fabric. Peltex gives the support for the side panels with layers of Peltex for bottom support. This is not a difficult pattern, but definetly not for a beginner sewer. I addded a picture with a soda can for perspective of size.

Erin and I love going to Sew Creative (see my links below). They have a nice selection of quilt fabrics and fashion fabrics that are hard to find. All the ladies in the shop are so very friendly and helpful.
Posted by at No comments:

Heirloom Camisole with lace shaping




This is another Martha Pullen design in heirloom sewing. It was a free pattern in an issue of Sew Beautiful magazine. I loved making the Christening gown and I thought that I would try my hand at lace shaping - a new technique for me. It is quite tedious, but the results are beautiful. This was made with a fine Swiss Nelona batiste with French cotton laces. The center and top band embroidery are a built in stitch on the Pfaff Creative Vision and stitched on English netting. I made this for my daughter and she will look lovely in this as it is or under a sweater or blazer. I plan on making another another cami in a different style lace shaping for another daughter.
Posted by at No comments:

E-reader cover for my sister



My sister received an e-reader from her children as a present for her recent birthday. Se asked me to make a cover for her and I found this pattern by Atkinson Designs and she picked out the fabric. It's a pretty easy pattern using Peltex for support and hairbands are the elastic corners and closure band.

Pattern purchased at Sew Creative, Fairport, NY.
Fabric purchased at Patricia's, East Rochester, NY.
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)