Saturday, August 28, 2010

Little bit wearing tiny bubbles


Fits pretty well. I did cut the elastic measurement for a size three months 3/8" shorter.

The buttons and buttonholes are placed as per the pattern markings. She has some room to grow, which is good since she is growing by leaps and bounds.

IBOL is on again!


The Iraqi Bundles of Love project is on again. Go here to find out how to send your bundle. As you know I am in the process of moving and redoing my sewing room. I did already send some fabric to Goodwill but had two more bags sitting here to send when I saw the IBOL announcement on Facebook. Whew, just in the nick of time.

I will be sending at least two bundles. Can you send a bundle? And remember to send usable fabric, knitting supplies and notions. It does no good to send what is not usable. It doesn't have to be fancy, just usable.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Important FYI

Just a quick clarification about the Sew Beautiful blog tour and giveaway. EVERY stop on the blog tour is sponsoring a giveaway including the SEw Beautiful blog. The giveaway HERE does not take place until September 15th. I wanted to give those who only hear about it through the magazine a chance. So go to the Sew Beautiful post below and leave a comment to enter.

Tiny Bubbles


Who can resist a sweet bottom covered in ruffles? No, my sewing room is not 100% complete, but I just had to cut out some fabric and sew! And when you don't have to dig through your fabric it is a quick decision on what to grab.


I made this adorable bubble for baby. It is Children's Corner, Taylor.


The fabric is a mutli colored "bubble" print from my stash. I have no idea where I got it. I don't think I have had it long but who knows. It is 100% cotton but the piping and ruffles are poly/cotton Imperial microcheck. No one wants to try and iron those ruffles.


The ruffles are 1 1/4" strips cut on the straight of grain. The edges are roll edge finished with my serger. I used a wooly nylon in the loopers to give a heavier finish. I can't wait to see it on her.

The christening gown design is on paper and getting ready to be on fabric. I am headed out on a short road trip. I hope to get the embroidery well under way in the car. When I return that sewing room will be completed and the former sewing room cleaned out and set up because...


baby needs a crib at Mimi's house! This is where she slept Friday night. Storms knocked out power at her house and it is HOT here. So she spent the night at Mimi's in a dresser drawer. Now I have to admit she was too stinkin' cute in that drawer but that solution won't be safe for very long.

And since everyone needs a parting shot of our beautiful baby;



She is wearing this and looking too cute.

REMINDER::::::: Don't forget to leave a comment on the Sew Beautiful Blog tour to be entered in the wonderful giveaway. Deadline is Sept. 15.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Sweet Reminder

First posted by criPSy duck

What a sweet reminder of days past. I stumbled across this christening coat on Flickr while I was taking a break from "moving". It looks like a rayon fabric, probably smocked with silk floss. It was NOT made by me, but it is delightful. It reminds me why I have been working so hard to move this sewing room.


I need to get back to the grind. Can you say the word purge? In the past eighteen months I have reduced my fabric stash by half. I have either given it away, thrown it away or shock of shocks, sewn it up. I have shared before my new credo;
If I don't love it; I don't keep it, buy it or use it.
So all of that fabric, patterns, supplies that make you cock your head and say "What was I thinking?" are gone! Of course it doesn't hurt to have a tyrannical, former stock room organizing, retail store manager of a daughter help you. She is ruthless! If I waiver on something, she is ready to go for the jugular.


But I do want this....


to turn into this. Almost there! I promise to take pictures and take you in a tour when it is done.


Of course could this be why it is taking so long? Baby just learned how to start cooing. We had to all gather round immediately and listen to the sounds of future wisdom revealed. What a delight that was. And modern technology allows Baby Mommy to record it on her phone to send to Daddy.

Whatcha doing Mimi?

The upside to the tyrant daughter is she brings this little nugget with her every time. I say a fair trade off.

Reminder : Don't forget to visit the Sew Beautiful post here to leave a comment and be entered in the giveaway. It's awesome and I hope you are all learning new things or refreshing old skills on the Sew Beautiful Blog Tour.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

A work in progress


No I have not forgotten you, faithful reader. I have been up to my neck in turning a former teenage refuge into my new sewing room. Here is just a tiny taste of what I hope is finished SOON. Above is the room as my youngest child left it. Tone on tone dark pink walls. Painted furniture that I painted years ago. And this picture does not do the nastiness of this carpet justice. It makes you wonder just how many colors of nail polish there are. And how many mortgage payments could have been made with the amount of it in the carpet. How do you sling hot lime green nail polish UNDER the bed? Far into the corner? Inquiring minds wonder.


This is when the project FEELS like it is moments from being done. Energy is high and you are anxious to see the end result.


So close yet so far away. Here is a peek. Laminate floors, new baseboards and the walls a cool, calm, seaglass blue. In the corner is Gertrude waiting for the room to be complete. I will take more pictures after it is all put together.

I need this room done, NOW! I have sewing to do. My sewing machines are sitting in the floor right now. I have to get back to it. Later, faithful reader.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Thar She Sews...Finally


Here is the little girl version of Wally. I forgot to put the bow on her spout. Oh well. It turned out cute. I love this little set. It has become one of my "go-to" baby gifts. The little shirt over the romper is too stinking cute. Our baby is just about 9.5 pounds now and a cloth diaper baby, so it could use a little extra length in the crotch. If it were earlier in the summer I would make the large length  bur keep the small width. The diaper shirt fits great and will for several weeks I think.


The diaper shirt is Spechler-Vogel poly/cotton lined pique and the romper is a lawn. I finished the neck/armhole edges with a shell stitch but you can't see it very well in the pictures. I was in a hurry so the shells are a little larger than normal, but it is okay. It turned out cute but what makes it adorable beyond measure


is the model. She is a paci girl, so getting a good picture without the paci is a challenge.


She is one month old today. Time flies when you are having this much fun.


She also has us all trained very well. This look here happens right before the squeel that signals, "Somebody pick me up.....NOW!"

Don't forget to leave a comment in the Sew Beautiful Blog Tour post to be eligble for the giveaway.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Welcome to the Sew Beautiful Blog Tour


All aboard, we are taking a trip. A trip on the blog tour with Sew Beautiful magazine.  Back in March, when life was lazy, I was asked if I would be interested in bringing a new dimension of learning to heirloom sewing enthusiasts and Sew Beautiful readers. I immediately said yes! I want to help spread the word that heirloom sewing still has a place in today's world.

Many of you have "heard" me say, "You can do it!" I am still saying it. Many new to heirloom sewing often feel that lace work is too difficult or that you have to have a new whiz bang computerized sewing machine to achieve acceptable results. Not true! If you have a sewing machine that will do a straight stitch and a zig zag stitch, you can do heirloom lace work. You can achieve the most elaborate of christening gowns, beautiful lingerie or even a simple baby slip. And everything in between.

I am excited to bring the blog world to new readers as well as helping others learn what I love so much. So sit back, grab a cuppa and come along with me.

First step, visit Sew Beautiful Magazine's website and learn more about this fun tour here. There are six stops on the tour including info shown on Sew Beautiful's blog. Each stop on the tour will each feature an aspect of constructing a gorgeous camisole featured in the new September/October Issue #132. The techniques are taught using video classes at each stop. Remember, you can do this!



The first stop at http://www.marthapullen.com/sb/blog/tour.html also lists links to the other blogs featured on the tour. So come along and stitch this lovely camisole for yourself or a gift.


This beautiful camisole can be worn as lingerie, under a sweater/jacket or worn with a pair of jeans for a casual look. You are limited only by your imagination and your choice of fabrics.


The base pattern used for the camisole is featured in Sleepwear Especially For You, published by Martha Pullen Company and Sew Beautiful.

All materials/supplies used are available from Martha Pullen Company. And you faithful reader will get a 25% discount through October 31, by using the coupon code BLOGTOUR. (ONE use only per person. Discount applies only to full price items. Pleaters excluded.)

Southern Matriarch is sponsoring the Lace Shaping/Mitering portion of constructing the camisole. This class is divided into 5 segments. Don't be deterred by the number of "parts." Just take it one step at a time. And as I have told readers I have helped before, don't get ahead of yourself. Just follow each step methodically without worrying about future steps and you will get there.



See how easy that is? Here are the links for each of the following parts of the lace shaping class. Click on each "part" to view the corresponding video. Come back after class for some more exciting news.

Lace Shaping-Part 2.
Lace Shaping-Part 3.
Lace Shaping-Part 4.
Lace Shaping-Part 5.

I hope you are well on your way to learning lace shaping and constructing your camisole. I can see adapting this with smaller laces and using it as part of a bodice or on a skirt front for a dress for our baby. I think she is a little young for a camisole just yet.

Sew Beautiful has graciously offered a wonderful giveaway for you faithful reader. Included in the giveaway is:


• a complete kit needed to make the Vintage Inspiration camisole, from sizes XS (2-4) to 3X (26-28)
• a copy of Sleepwear Especially for You (contains the basic tank top pattern suggested in the instructions) (retail $24.95)
• a copy of the new issue of Sew Beautiful (contains the Vintage Inspiration article and embroidery and lace shaping templates) (retail $5.99)
• a June Tailor Heirloom Stitcher's Shape 'N Press board (retail $42.00)

Total value, $160. I am jealous of all of you having an opportunity to receive this awesome giveaway. I am not usually a fan of long drawn out giveaways, but to give everyone a chance to enter, the entry deadline will run until Septermber 15th. 
How to enter? You know I love to hear about your projects and what you have learned. So leave a comment on this post only, (no emails entries) telling us about the most difficult project you have attempted to date and how you prevailed.

If you are new to Southern Matriarch, welcome. I hope you will come back often. To my returning readers, glad to see you back. I promise to be a better blogger in weeks to come, now that baby is here and mommy is well.

Fruits of My Labor


Not sewing but almost as satisfying. 24 jars of peach jam made yesterday. I have another 24 jars to do today.  Baby continues to grow and delight us. Baby mommy continues to get better and amaze us. Youth and prayer are wonderful things.

My new sewing room is in the process of being made ready. My son is upstairs now sanding, painting and generally making the huge mess you have to do first before you see results. I have taken "in progress" pictures.

I HAVE to get into my current sewing room today to prepare samples for a smocking class I am teaching here at a local fabric store in two weeks.


And I have to prepare samples for some exciting posts...Be watching here tomorrow for some new additions and an awesome giveaway!!!!! You will be able to say you knew me when! :) Till tomorrow.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Who says


that whales have to be blue? Just change them to pink and call them Whilemina! I am making two different versions of Old Fashioned Baby Baby's Summer Clothes romper with the sweet diaper shirt. I made "Wally" posted here last spring. I just turned him into a her! I lengthened and curled her eyelashes and may add a bow to her spout. This is for our baby and hopefully tomorrow evening I can stitch on the second one. It is for a baby gift for youngest daughter to give.

Whilemina is done with shadow work using one strand of floss. The waves are stem stitch. The fabric for the diaper shirt is lined poly/cotton pique by Spechler Vogel. Couldn't tell you where I purchased it. I have quite a large piece in my stash and it takes a while to use up on newborn sized things. The floral for the romper is a floral lawn. Our baby mommy doesn't mind ironing.

It was nice to thread a needle and to sit and stitch a spell. It calmed my spirit. I am just now feeling like I can come up for air. Baby mommy is looking great, though she doesn't advise her method of post partum weight loss. Hopefully she will continue to recover and feel even better as the days go by.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Thank you faithful readers


First I wanted to say thank you, faithful readers, for all of the comments, prayers and emails regarding our baby mommy. She came home from the hospital yesterday. It was a very long 10 days. She is thrilled to be back home with her beautiful baby and we are all glad she is. She is feeling good and working towards a full recovery. We are looking for the re-start button to getting life back to normal. As I told my daughter this morning, we have to find out what normal is now.

Getting hungry, hurry up Mimi!

But this precious gift will help us all do that. She is wearing a gown her Mimi made, but her mommy smocked. She did a great job! It is a simple daygown of Imperial batiste smocked in ecru with ecru lace at the neck and sleeves.


 I used Baby Daygowns, Book IV by Ginger Snaps Designs to make the gown. Mommy smocked it using the plate provided in the pattern.


And here is a serene shot with a full tummy. If you want to make a quick gift that is smocked, this gown is perfect. It can be preconstructed as I did and smocked in a couple of evenings. It buttons down the back to make it easy to dress and undress baby.

Hopefully I can get back into the sewing room this week. Up first, laundry.
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