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.

72 comments:

  1. What a neat tour! I can't wait to see all of the videos. Congrats on being part of it. And I'm also glad to know that baby and mama are doing well. Enjoy those snuggles!

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  2. Hi Martha,
    Congrats on being part of the tour! This is so cool!
    Hm...my most difficult project..
    Well, my very first dress was probably my hardest. I was in 9th grade and I chose the hardest pattern I could find. I figured that if I could successfully complete that, I could do anything. I learned a lot and ripped out a lot. But in the end, I wore that dress for years and years and it is still in good shape 30 years later.
    Thank you for the chance to win.

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  3. Hi,

    I'm currently working on brother / sister outfits for my great niece and nephew. I'm striving to take on easier projects so I will be better at completing them on a timely basis.

    I do have a smocked dress front waiting for me.

    I enjoy your blog and am thankful baby and mommy are doing well.

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  4. Hi Martha, My most challenging stitching project is the FHS Christening gown I made while pregnant with my first baby. It is lacy and ruffly white Nelona and I put blue or pink ribbon in the beading depending if a boy or girl was wearing it. It will have blue ribbon in October for my 5th little blessing!

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  5. Good morning, I enjoy your blog so much! Thanks for taking the time to post it. I have a question-A few blogs back you showed a beautiful blanket with bunnies by Jan Kerton. I was wondering, was the blanket a kit or a pattern. I googled Jan Kertons website but she no longer sells online. Can you help me? My daughter-in-law would love that for her nursery. She is due in Dec. Thanks for any help you can give me. I am so glad your family is doing well and congratulations on your new granddaughter-Kathy

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  6. Congratulations, Martha!!!!! You are truly amazing!
    I guess my current challenge is the pinafore hanging in my sewing room -- still needs more lace applied, still needs buttonholes/buttons and hem; somehow I got to one point and couldn't figure out how to continue; maybe I'll get inspiration with this blog tour; thanks!

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  7. My most difficult project was making slipcovers for my dining room chairs out of painter dropclothes.Of course, I was trying to finish them before a party. It was like the 3 bears. First one was too tight, Second one was too loose. Third one was just right. Sixth and Seventh ones I ran out of dropcloths and could not find more that matched. Found a substitute and percervered. Ran out of steam and fabric on the eight. Hid that chair. Party was a huge success ! Chairs looked great. I just keep focusing on what the finished dininig room would look like, and that vision kept me focused !
    I have truely enjoyed your blog, your beautiful stitching and hearing about your family. So glad to hear the new mom and baby are doing better !

    Lindsay
    Lindsay801@comcast.net

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  8. I would love to win this set. Here's a link to the picture of my grand daughter wearing the baptism dress I made, I'm still very proud of it.
    Jane

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  9. Sorry, here's the link.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/jane_from_illinois/489143578/
    Jane

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  10. I am a brand new sewer. I have been smocking for several years and love it, but have only done the sewing on one daygown 4 years ago in a class with a wonderfully patient teacher helping me (I have had to use lots of ready-to-smock since then). I am dying to learn how to sew garments myself and am taking 2 beginner classes for my birthday at the end of this month. Very excited! I am studiously watching all of these tutorials, and she makes it look so easy. With all of the help from these wonderful sites, I know that I will be able to do this sooner rather than later.
    Leslie

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  11. This is sew much fun with this blog tour. I read your blog regularly and am glad to hear mommy is doing better and enjoying the baby! Since I'm new to heirloom sewing every project I do has taught me something new.

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  12. Nice tour! One of the hardest sewing projects I worked on was a sew beautiful quilt! It is made of blocks with lace shaping, pintuck, shark teeth....fairly overwhelming for someone without experience in heirloom sewing! But I made one block at a time, following directions carefully, and now while it still needs to be quilted, I am proud to consider myself an advanced beginner in the world of heirloom sewing!

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  13. My most difficult project .... well, it wasn't that it was difficult, just verrrrry time consuming. It was a blouse I just finished for my GD. It was an adult size and I incorporated many heirloom techniques into it (pintucks, french seams, hand rolled hems..... )and ended up being a labor of love. I loved the end product, but spending a week on a blouse? LOL

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  14. Congratulations on your new grandbaby! Aren't they wonderful?
    Would love to win that fabulous prize! The most difficult project I have attempted was an Heirloom Tea dress many years ago for our daughter. She managed to tear the lace from the entredeux on the bodice and I hope it's repaired well enough for our grandbaby to wear when she gets older! I'd love to be able to make her another heirloom dress with lots of lace before she gets too old.

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  15. My biggest project was making the Eternal Treasure Christening gown in the AS&E magazine. It turned out great. (IMHO)
    Angela Maddux- apmaddux@yahoo.com

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  16. Hi Martha! So glad everyone is doing well and you are getting back to normal. My most difficult project was my oldest daughter's Communion dress. It was Isabelle's Garden Party dress from Sew Beautiful and I squeezed it in while both of my grandparents were in the hospital but it looked beautiful on her and she loved it.

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  17. Hi, Martha! I really enjoy reading your blog. My most difficult project was a picture smocked top I recently made for my daughter. I had never done picture smocking before, and it is much harder than geometric!

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  18. My most difficult project was the first smocked bishop for my daughter who was a toddler at the time. I was taking a beginning smocking class and the dress was for Easter. Against the advice of the instructor I chose what was supposed to be an easy picture smocking plate. What was I thinking!! I managed to get it finished in time for Easter Sunday complete with a smocked bonnet.

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  19. Anytime I tackle a new technique it is the most difficult project until I've gained more experience with it. One thing I remember that was a challenge is a Noah's Ark picture smocked jon jon I made for my grandson.

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  20. Of course, there is usually something about every project that is a challenge. I used to make pageant dresses, and everyone of those was a challenge because I was trying to satisfy the customer with a new and different design. I look back now, and I don't know how I ever did it all.
    Thanks for a great giveaway, and I'm thrilled about the blog tours.

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  21. Wow, another chance to win! Thank you so much!

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  22. I love this tour! Thank you for participating.

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  23. Oh what a fun touring adventure this is going to be!! I should have known they would pick only the best of the best to show off these special techniques, Martha!

    I've been to Lace Camp once (with Niener) & we had a fantastic time. We may go again next year, God willing. She & I both love the heirloom stuff.

    I should do a blog post about the party dress with lace shaping & the matching cashmere blanket we made from classes with Lynne Holyoake.

    My most difficult project so far has to have been smocking with brown floss on thick brown twill to make Caroline her Coco dress from AS&E, issue #85. My fingers were SEW SORE from it & my eyes strained with every stitch. Never again dark floss on dark fabric!!

    It is here if you'd like to see it:

    2009_07_01_archive.html

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  24. Ooops....my link didn't work. Sorry!


    2009_07_01_archive.html


    I also forgot my manners & wanted to say 'thank you' for a chance to win wonderful gift!

    fondly,
    Rett

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  25. The hardest project I ever did was a french handsewn dress for my DGD's Kindergarten graduation.
    I made my own pattern, sewed lots of lace together by hand, and made lots of accessories - a slip, a basket for later use as a flowergirl.
    It turned out perfectly.
    Chris

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  26. I am new to heirloom sewing. I am making my first bonnet, joining lace and using entredeux, no pintucks or lace shaping yet. I have all of the strips sewn together. Only problem so far is I have 2 small holes in the lace. Not sure how that happened - nicked by the needle or scissors I guess. I just need to finish the edges and apply the ribbon.
    I have watched all of the videos and can't wait to get started on my camisole. Thanks for all of your help on your blog. Congratulations on your new grandbaby. Glad your daughter is well and enjoying her baby.
    Thanks for the chance to win this wonderful prize.
    Denise Norris
    denisenorris@bellsouth.net

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  27. Most challenging project? Had to be the christening dress I made for oldest daughter more than 40 years ago while living in a small Texas city when no quality fabrics or laces were available to me, a relatively inexperienced sewist (no internet!!). Somehow with the help of a McCall's or Simplicity pattern I made a long dress and slip trimmed with eyelet lace...she wore it as did brother and sister later...and I was pleased with it then. Now...it could be so much better with a larger selection of fabrics and more experience behind me. I read your blog regular hoping to get back to heirloom sewing...maybe this will be the motivation.

    Carolyn
    blednicky@sbcglobal.net

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  28. Love your blog. Lots of great ideas and beautiful work and children. Count me in on the drawing. Thank you. Cindy

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  29. I need a new lace shaping board... :) My most difficult project to date involving lace shaping was Chery Williams wedding ring dress. I made it for a niece when she was four. I still have a pic of her in the dress on the board in my sewing room. She is in her early twenties now... :)

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  30. OH I would love to win this for my daughter who is learning to sew!!!

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  31. OH I would love to win this for my daughter who is learning to sew!!!

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  32. This was wonderful. I learned so much. I've never seen or had such a complete, start to finish demo. Thanks

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  33. Congratulations on your hosting duty!
    MOST difficult project? Hmmmm, well, MOST difficult would have to be the prom dress I (tried to) made for oldest dd - poly chiffon, poly charmeuse lining, Vogue pattern (advanced, I believe) pattern, strapless gown. I've learned a lot about fitting since then, but I'm still not sure I would take on something like that again. Babies, toddlers and young girls are SO much easier to fit! Most difficult smocked/heirloom garment? would be either the smocked crop top and skirt or first ever heirloom dress I made for the same dd (hmmm, I'm feeling guilty about that) both of which were in photo shoots in . . . . "Sew Beautiful" waaaaaaaay back in the beginning.

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  34. My most difficult project was a set of baby garments I made of pale blue tissue silk. I used white French laces. The hem of the dress was scalloped, as were the sleeves. The neck I finished with lace, the neckline was square. The bonnet was a wide lace overlaying the silk. The buttons on the back of the dress are mother of pearl. I made a lace placket on the back. The slip is so sweet. I used a pale blue silk crepe. Both the garments were a-line. The bonnet ties were white silk ribbon, attached with little pearl buttons. The back of the slip has a pearl button for it's placket. I had to starch the silk heavily and use stitch in the ditch as a stablizer under all the stitching. I gave the set as a gift. Everyone loved it.

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  35. My most difficult project was a set of baby garments I made of pale blue tissue silk. I used white French laces. The hem of the dress was scalloped, as were the sleeves. The neck I finished with lace, the neckline was square. The bonnet was a wide lace overlaying the silk. The buttons on the back of the dress are mother of pearl. I made a lace placket on the back. The slip is so sweet. I used a pale blue silk crepe. Both the garments were a-line. The bonnet ties were white silk ribbon, attached with little pearl buttons. The back of the slip has a pearl button for it's placket. I had to starch the silk heavily and use stitch in the ditch as a stablizer under all the stitching. I gave the set as a gift. Everyone loved it.

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  36. I think, actually, my most difficult project to date is the one I'm working on now. I am preparing to do some lace-shaping and altering techniques on both the shell pattern and the tank pattern featured in Sew Beautiful's "Six Easy Patterns" book. It has been over 5 years since I've done any heirloom sewing/lace shaping ... this Heirloom Blog Tour is just perfect, perfect, perfect in helping to refresh my memory on how to do everything ... thanks so much!!! Cyrena Downing gdowneng@bellsouth.net

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  37. Martha, thank you for hosting this segment of the Heirloom Sewing Blog Tour. You have certainly had your hands full lately, and I praise God your beautiful daughter is well on her road to recovery and able to enjoy that precious baby girl.

    After rettabug and I attended "Lace Camp" in Feb. 2008, I came home with such confidence that I could design heirloom projects on my own without having to take a prescribed class. Of course, in retrospect, I was probably OVER confident! But sitting under the tutelage of Lynne Holyoke for four days with her gentle encouragement, I guess I didn't realize it at the time! I decided to design an Easter dress for my then 3 year old granddaughter with scalloped lace insertion at the top of the hem. The dress turned out to be just beautiful, though I'm certain it was not what most seasoned heirloom sewists would consider "perfect"; but I was so proud that I had the confidence to jump in and work with the resources I had in books and class notes to figure out that scalloped hem, cut away the fabric from behind it, and then pinstitch it to finish. The sleeves had double lace insertion with hand embroidery between; and the points of each scallop along the hem had bullion roses. All of this was done by a very "green" heirloom sewist and hand embroiderer!! I still look back at that dress and feel so proud of myself that I managed to venture out on my own and sew something much outside my comfort zone.

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  38. Wow! What a super give-away! My most difficult sewing project to date was probably my first dress with heirloom lace insertion, a fancy band and entredeux. That entredeux about did me in! But, I survived and have used entredeux on several other projects. Each time its a little easier!

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  39. I really am enjoying watching these videos. devinneyjr@yahoo.com

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  40. This is such a great giveaway! Sew Beautiful is smart to recruit you. My most difficult project so far was when I sewed one of my favorite heirloom patterns for the second time. Usually things get much easier after the first time you make a pattern, but the first time I used Nelona, and the second time I used less expensive fabric. I really think Nelona helps you sew well! It is so fun to see your sweet granddaughter in her layette! I had a baby boy in the spring and have been having fun sewing things for him. Thanks for doing your blog. Hallie

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  41. what an awesome blog tour!!

    carrie

    inthehammockblog at gmail dot com

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  42. The most difficult & only project I attempted in heirloom stitching was making my granddaughters First Communion dress! The hardest part for me was adding the entredeux & getting the zig-zag stitch into the right opening a the right time. But how beautiful when it was all done!

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  43. This blog tour is really informative, and I am enjoying it so much. My most difficult project was when I made both of my daughters' bridesmaids dresses out of satin. It was so slippery and took me some time to figure out how to tame it, but they turned out really nice and I was proud of my work.

    Sewin_Mom at verizon dot net

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  44. Martha, thank you for hosting this segment...I love the videos that I have watched so far. Very educational with great hints--perhaps I CAN DO some heirloom sewing. I would love the prize-but don't think I will hold my breath, and will just order the wonderful book!!!

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  45. Thank you for being a part of this blog tour.
    daycdoo@bellsouth.net

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  46. So lovely of you to host a portion of the blog tour. My most difficult project to date was a bag using grommets. I kept putting it off, then I decided to do a little everyday, not paying attention to the many elements this bag had. When I finally got to the grommets, I was ready to tackle the job. Hind site, I would say the grommets were the best part of the projects. Makes me appreciate heirloom sewing even more. Patricia

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  47. Martha,
    So happy so see your beautiful work on the SB BlogTour! The summer has been busy with the kids here for a whole month in July. Now that I have a bit of free time....can't seem to focus! My project is to get the revision of my Cinderella design done. Spent all yesterday working on graphs and was so frustrated by midnight. I'm hoping today will be more fruitful....LOL.
    Thanks for sharing,
    Gwen

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  48. So glad the little one and her mommy are doing well. She looks really cute in the bubble suit and diaper shirt you made for her.

    The hardest thing I have done is doing lace insertion. Mine always seems to come apart and I have to figure something to do to fix it. I'd love to be in the drawing.

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  49. Thank You so very much for being part of the blog. This was a wonderful idea, and I loved the camosile. I love your tutorials and all the items on your site are just breathtaking. I am happy to find your site. I'd love to be put in your giveaway.
    thomisonc1@cox.net

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  50. Thanks for being part of this blog tour. What a neat idea. My most involved heirloom project was a dress I started for my daughter at a Martha Pullen school. Even though we got a nice start on the dress at the school, I had to take a whole week off of work to finish it. I believe I invested a full 40 hours in the dress, but it turned out beautifully and I finished it before my daughter outgrew it. :)

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  51. I love the Blog Tour idea and look forward to learning new techniques. The most difficult project I've done is smocking a romper from AS&E for my baby grandson. It was hard determining the proper length for the crotch as he is long in the torso and was not available to measure. The picture smocking was also a learning experience!

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  52. The hardest thing I've made to date was a long sleeve blouse with a yoke and a notched collar for myself. I learned how to size a pattern to myself and several other techniques that I can apply to other things that I'll make. The kit for the camisole would definitely be a challenge but one I'm willing to tackle if I'm lucky enough to win.

    Look forward to seeing your new sewing room.

    vail in tn

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  53. The hardest thing I ever made was a fully tailored suit in college because I was being graded on every step and stitch! I'm happy to say a got and "A" on the project and an interview suit in the process. I just recently made 5 christening outfits in 3 months and that was a challenge as 4 of the 5 were original designs(using commercial patterns). I'm happy to say all were completed on time and the babies were beautiful in their gowns.

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  54. In high school I took an industrial sewing class. We made everything and had a fashion show at the end of each year. I think the hardest project was sewing my prom dresses. Luckily with the help of my sewing teacher, they both came out just fine. Now I'm sewing for my two girls (6 and 2). It's not hard to sew for them, just double the work! I still enjoy it and I love learning new things.
    Kelly Stockstill

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  55. Love the idea of the blogtour. I suppose the hardest project I've tackled, is my daughter's Christening Gown, which had lace shaping and lots of pintucks and lace.

    Glad to hear that things are going better for your daughter and that now she can enjoy that precious baby.

    Thanks for the opportunity to win these great items.
    Teela

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  56. This is a great idea. My biggest challenge was a camel hair men's overcoat. I just took everything very slowly, step by step, and ended up with a wonderful coat. -- Karen

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  57. Probably a smocked bishop I tried to make right after taking a smocking class. I realized why they cost so much at the children's boutiques!

    Thanks for the chance to win.

    Emily
    1prince1princess@comcast.net

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  58. What a wonderful way to get people interested in Heirloom Sewing!

    Kim Corliss
    corliss4@swbell.net

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  59. Martha,
    Thanks for being part of the blog tour and what a great idea to include everyone under the Sew Beautiful banner.

    Currently my most difficult project is learning smocking. Maybe I am too much of a perfectionist but getting the stitches even and the picture smocking correct has caused many unstitched trials! I am determined to master the technique though - it may just take a while. :)

    We have a new dgd - 2 weeks old today so I understand the distractions you face! Her CG is next on my to do list. Thanks for the opportunity to enter the giveaway.
    Belinda

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  60. That baby gets cuter every day. I do want to thank you for not entering all her beautiful clothes in the Mo State Fair this year. Gave me a chance to finally win my blue ribbon, 2 blues & 2 reds, I am thrilled. Next year you will take all the prizes. Glad to see your room is coming along. You will have to make it our next field trip. Ah

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  61. The handwork on Wendy Schoen's embroidered garments are so beautiful, but challenging. I have learned not to be overwhelmed by the whole -- just take it, literally, one stitch at a time.

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  62. I just LOVE the idea of the Blog Tour. I think this will be an awesome way to learn heirloom sewing!!! I can't remeber a project that was particularly difficult, but getting a garment to fit properly drives me crazy. I know it should be common sense but I can't seem to get it right!!! I always end up at my mother in laws house pleading for her to HELP!!!!

    Christy S
    OKC

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  63. Love your blog. Would love to win this gift. I am new to heirloom sewing and have wanted to learn lace shaping for some time. The most difficult thing I ever made - well, years ago I made my husband a suit! went well and he wore it a lot - a mans suit with welt pockets, full lining, etc. Now-a-days - I made matching smocked sundresses for great nieces - from the beginning, pleated them myself - challenging for a beginning smocker. Can't wait to try lace shaping. Thanks for the wonderful tutorials and the great give-a-way.

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  64. Your blog is one I look forward to reading, thanks for being part of the blog tour.

    My most difficult project is the one I just finished. I made my first christening gown. I had plenty of trouble with the tucks, they are not even. Also, when I attached the bodice to the skirt I discovered that I had pieced the lace in such a way that there is a seam on the front of the bodice that should not be there. It was a huge disappointment, but I don't know what to do about it. I entered the dress in our local state fair anyway, so we will see what they say.

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  65. The hardest project to date was my first smocking panel. I try to avoid hand sewing, by the most everything by machine. This was for my beginning smocking class I took locally and at first I thought I would quit, but I find it very relaxing. You have to sit down and take it easy. It feels good. I did finish my panel, I have to construct next.

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  66. I honestly can't say what has been my most difficult project. "Cupcake" from AS&E was one of my most involved smocking projects with well over 100 hours of work. (That included carefully picking out almost 1/3 of the extensive smocking because I counted wrong!) Dd's baptism dress also was quite involved; I spent over 40 hours hand sewing tucks on the bottom ruffle! I persevered by gritting my teeth and just doing what I had to do to make them turn out the way I wanted. My new philosophy is that if I had fun stitching the first time, I shouldn't mind having even more fun re-stitching a mess-up! (When I was *much* younger I probably would have thrown the dresses on the floor and stomped on them, lol.)

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  67. So many challenges but my most difficult project was making an outfit for my new dgs to match the dresses for his two older sisters. One was star of the show by Picone and the other a bsy smocked from shoulder to waist. The girls dresses also had cast on flowers all over the place and the star of the show jacket as well. Well I called Suzanne Hebert on my cell phone from the hospital and had her send me some more of the checked blue fabric. Made dgs a gown and hat of the same fabric and embroidered his monogram on the gown. Mission accomplished. Susan VH

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  69. Hi, Martha,
    Congrats on the new grandbaby..She's ADORABLE!!!!!
    How wonderful of you to set up this amazing give away!!
    The most "trying" project I have gotten myself into was the "Tuck Dress" by Wendy Shoen. This dress has a sewn in slip to the bottom of the bodice.
    I cut out all the pattern pieces and began and finished HAND sewn lace shaping to the entire bottom of the skirt, all the embroidery around the lace shaping, HAND pinstitching around all the lace, and two three row sections of pin tucks. I must say it IS gorgious!! When I went to start to put the fabric ruffle edged with lace to the bottom of the slip piece I realized I had mixed the slip fabric piece and the skirt fabric piece up and had completed ALL the HAND embroidery, lace, pinstitching and tucks to the SLIP piece!!
    Two weeks later after I calmed down, I climbed up on a ladder to retrieve it off the highest shelf in the closet (that's where it landed when it hurled it in the closet)and went about fixing the problem. I decided to cut a portion off the skirt piece to turn it into the slip. I then added a strip to the now embelished slip piece by making it look like another tuck section that resembales the ones at the bottom of the embelished slip piece.
    And you know what? I think it looks better with the extra tucks at the top of the skirt now!!
    Anyway, I did and survived to start another project!!!
    I LOVE your blog, which I check EVERY day!!

    ReplyDelete
  70. Goodness knows there have been a few difficult sewing projects in my past. However the most challenging was my first heirloom baby dress. It was of silk batiste and I was totally in awe of how delicate the fabric was. I was so nervous just to cut it out. Then came the lace. First time for that also! It was so beautiful that I was afraid to cut it. In the end the dear little dress was finished and I survived only to be completely hooked on heirloom sewing.

    I have loved the blog tour and was so happy that your blog was featured.

    Linda Adam
    Ontario, Canada

    ReplyDelete
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    I have loved the blog tour and was so happy that your blog was featured.

    Linda Adam
    Ontario, Canada

    ReplyDelete
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