New Bishops for Gillian

Spiritual -  God, let me be a living sacrifice of praise and example of your glory.  Please give me grace to accept daily life's inconveniences  and chores as your will.  Help me to put my wants and desires secondary to the service of my family and people you put in my life daily.  Only then will I maintain peace and joy.  This I pray, through your son, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Sewing - I've decided to make two new dresses for Gigi to put under the tree - a rust plaid one and a mint green one with a matching swing coat.  The dress & swing coat pattern I used was Gail Doane's wonderful book Sew Cute Couture . The bishop pattern has a slight curve in the center front and back. Plaids must be pleated along the plaid lines. Therefore, the neckline is straight rather than slighted curved when pleated and smocked.  During construction, I accounted for this by placing the the bias neck band  3/8"  lower in the center front and center back.  That ensured that the hem would be even all around the dress.  Is that as clear as mud?  lol.  I machine-embroidered Sandy Jenkin's Nursery Rhymes on the swing coat.  You should see her in this outfit! 

Hand Sewing Pincushion

Spiritual - Holy Images, or liturgical icons, in our churches all principally represent Christ.  Images could not represent God, because of His invisibility and incomprehensible nature.  The incarnation of His Son has brought us a new insight.  These icons express  the same Gospel message that Scripture communicates by words and help to "explain" each other.  All our images, the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, and all the saints are all related to Christ who is glorified in them.  "They make manifest the 'cloud of witnesses' who continue to participate in the salvation of the world and to whom we are united, above all in sacramental celebrations.  Through their icons, it is man 'in the image of God,' finally transfigured' into his likeness' who is revealed to our faith.

Catechism of the Catholic Church, pg. 328

Sewing -  I have a hard time keeping track of the different sizes of hand needles I use when working on a project.  Umm..I thought.  What if I had a pin cushion that had the kind and number of needles written on it?  As I told you before, I love Embird, my embroidery software.  I got busy and I'm quite happy.

All Designs Are Copyright Protected copyright 2010

Christmas Dresses

Spiritual - What we celebrate at Christmas is the incarnation of Jesus.  That opened the floodgates  of grace to be able to live virtuous lives.   In order for us the be virtuous or "do good actions",  virtues must be practiced consistently and with proper disposition.  The more we practice them, the sooner that become habitual or a way of life that  builds and identifies our character.  Our church, as well as early philosophers identified four that have been labeled "cardinal" -, fortitude (moral courage), justice(give God and our neighbor what is his due), prudence (right judgment), and temperence (self-control).  Lord, please help me develop and improve these virtues so that I can give glory to you and that I may bring happiness and peace to myself and those around me.  Amen.

Sewing - This year Jennie chose a silk taffeta reproduction of a Crewcut dress for Audrie and a smocked bishop for the baby.  I found a beautiful light grey (silver) silk taffeta from Fabric.com.  It took awhile to decide what smocking pattern and silk ribbon colors to use on Gigi's dress, but all was finally decided and the smocking began.  Gigi's dress was easy compared to Audrie's.   Several patterns in my stash went together to get the pattern needed to copy the Crewcut dress.  Next, I made a muslin to fit her.  Finally, the dress was completed  and the underskirt was started.  I made the underskirt separate and with several "growth" tucks so she could wear it with other dresses later.  I'm happy with the results.  Gigi got a hair clip and paci clip, too!

A Crafty Lady?

Spiritual - Do you pray everyday? I was thinking about people I know that seem to weather the storm of daily life with a smile and a cheerful attitude and wondered what they all had in common. Then it dawned on me ... they pray everyday. I mean that they have a specified prayer time set aside everyday to devote to God alone. I need that. I try, but am not consistent about it. I really believe it would bring me more peace and trustfulness. Please, Jesus, give me the grace to make a determined effort.

  

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sewing - Did I ever think I would be into crafting? No. Taking care of Gigi everyday has left little time for major sewing. Sooo... I'm getting into FELT and satin crafts and am loving every minute of it. It started with making hair accessories for Audrie and Gigi. I'm afraid I got addicted. Now, it's more hair accessories, felt pincushions, needle cases, and children's softie animals. Of course, these are going to be wonderful projects when I start teaching. I have done a couple of classes with my grandchildren and their friends and they really enjoyed it and made precious projects. I will have a weekly hand sewing class for young children starting in the spring.



 

An Antique Glass Showcase

Spiritual - I had time to read from my favorite daily meditation book, Divine Intimacy, this morning.  I often beat myself up because of my failures, my lack of attention to the development of virtues, the amount of time I spend on my hobbies, etc.  - you know what I'm talking about.  Today I was reminded that no matter how much I try to be better, I may find my hands empty, just like Peter's nets.  I must not be discouraged due to lack of success, but humbly acknowledge my failure, and have firm confidence that the Lord will fill my nets. too. 

Sewing - My daughter's mother-in-law had this beautiful case in her recent garage sale.  I picked it up, cleaned it up, and filled it up!  I put my favorite things in it - American Girl dolls, wonderful fabrics, old wooden thread spools, yarn from my travels, old sewing need cards, antique candle sticks made into bonnet stands, etc.  I really like it.  It also gave me loads of surface to put more of my treasures. 

Lullaby Safari

Spiritual - Rough homily. Is there any person, thing, or talent (hobby) that we put before God? Does our attention (prayer time), time (service), talent go into doing God's work first? Then what, from the leftovers, do we do for our own benefit or pleasure? I need to do a lot of soul searching on that one.

Sewing - These precious daygowns were made using Martha Pullen's raglan daygown pattern from her book, Precious Baby Daygowns, roundyoke collection, and digitized designs by Karen & Tamzin Bosch. The designs can be found on MP's online store. I first saw this in Sew Beautiful, issue 132, 2010 in an article by Lorraine Bergeron and couldn't wait to make these. IMHO, there are not many baby applique designs that can be put on a daygown. There are plenty for the older child. I hope you get going on these!

The Old Fashioned Baby Retreats

Spiritual - Our gifts are from God and are meant to be used to bring glory and others to God.  I am so blessed to have received the gift of being able to sew, to love friends, and to want to teach.  Since I taught high school for many years, I appreciate how hard most teachers work to do justice to their students.  I think they do it because of the higher calling they received from God.  Success in teaching is hard to assess because we are only one teacher in the educational or spiritual process of any student. Mother Theresa used to say that it is our trying that counts, not whether or not we succeeded.  I embraced that concept and believed it.

Sewing - Jeannie Baumeister, owner of The Old Fashioned Baby, hosts annual sewing and spiritual retreats that are wonderful. She and a bff have figured out a perfect recipe for a retreat that combines a themed Bible Study with a sewing program. Jeannie always has a progressive sewing project and is a patient, loving, and capable teacher. She and Belinda love their faith and their knowledge of the Bible shows in the study periods. This retreat begins on Friday around 3 and ends on Sunday at noon. I look forward to it every year.

 

Martha Pullen Serger Licensing

Spiritual - God is so good and generous. He knows our needs and desires even before we do. Often, it doesn't seem as though our dreams will ever come true or we can't, even temporarily, get out of the rut we seem to be in. I often recall the times when blessings have come after I had "accepted" that certain requests weren't in the plans for me or I already had so much and didn't deserve any more. That has happened several times. These occurrences help to build my belief that God does want to give me so much more than I think I deserve and that "all good things come to those who wait". Lord, help me to trust and love you more.

Sewing - Attending MP school in Huntsville, Alabama, earlier this month was definitely one of the highlights of my life. I thought I knew my serger - now know it backwards and forwards! The school was jam packed with information about how to teach serger classes effectively and included at least 25 projects that I now have permission to teach and/or make and sell. I got to meet Martha, eat dinner at her home, and see her famous "attic" filled with antique clothes from around the world. Her show airs on Saturdays on PBS (Ch 12) from 10:30-1:00 am. I also met so many new sewing friends for all over the states and abroad. I plan to back there next March!

Sewing School

Spiritual -  It amazes me how much I have learned about sewing since I was a little girl of 12.  My father encouraged me to sew by letting me buy as much fabric as I wanted as long as I made my clothes.  I babysat to buy shoes to match.    At first, sewing was just a means to an end - the outfit.  Over the years, as my sewing techniques improved, I began to enjoy the process and to realize that sewing was a spiritual, emotional, and relaxing outlet for me.  Now, each project gives me an opportunity to think and pray about my faith, family, friends, people of need, politicians, etc.   I pray to my best friend, Mary, the entire time that I'm doing a project for someone else so that I don't mess up.  When I produce something extra special, I wonder at what I've created and KNOW it only comes from "gift" and gives "glory to God."  I thank Him so much for this ability and the desire to work hard at the gift He has given me.

Sewing -  It's been a dream of mine to open a sewing school.  I've been thinking about this for a long time and am starting the planning process.  I'm keeping a journal of ideas, trying to get certified in Martha Pullen licensing programs, looking into the legal aspects of operating a business, etc.  It's overwhelming and exciting at the same time.  But, God willing, I will do it.  I love teaching and want to pass on this beautiful art to the next generation.

First Communion

Spiritual - "Our union with Christ by faith and grace is a real union, but in Holy Communion we have, in addition, physical union with Christ.  Then, as least for a few moments, we have Him within us, as the Blessed Virgin had Him in her pure womb for nine months.  And if, to this physical union is joined moral union, consisting in the full conformity of our will and our aspirations to God's will and good pleasure, Holy Communion actually becomes the moment of closest union with God that we can reach on earth. "  Divine Intimacy

 Sewing -  This is a replica of the "Flower Garden Cotton Organdy Irish Crocheted Dress, French, circa 1910", page 136-137 of Vintage Baby  by Sue Hausmann, Elizabeth Rhodes, and Martha Pullen.  I fell in love with this dress when I saw it in this book and had to make it for my granddaughter, Audrie, for her first communion this year.  It was made with white ulster linen and crocheted lace and buttons I inherited from a great aunt-in-law.  I used 80-weight thread to do the machine embroidery.  The medallion's were made as free standing lace, then appliqued in place.  Audrie wore a fresh floral wreath in her hair and was such a lovely bride for our Lord.

A Special Wedding Veil

Spiritual - Christ is the source of matrimonial grace.  If we don't cooperate with His freely given grace we cannot "tap into" the unlimited graces He has waiting for us.  By persistent, faithful prayer on can a couple  have a truly successful marriage - not a perfect one , but one of  joy and peace.  If God is not the center of the union, there is a great chance of unhappiness, and the beautiful description the grace-filled state of matrimony as described by the CCC will not take place. 

"Christ dwells with them, gives them the strength to take up their crosses and so follow him, to rise again after they have fallen, to forgive one another, to bear one another's burdens, to 'be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ,' and to love one another with supernatural, tender, and fruitful love,  In the joys of their love and family life he gives them here on earth a foretaste of the wedding feast of the Lamb..."

Sewing -  I was honored when I was asked to make a cathedral length wedding veil for one of my favorite students from my high school teaching days. I had made several short veils, but never a three-tiered cathedral and was quite excited about it.  It was going to be a challenge.  She did all the footwork - buying the Alencon lace and bridal tulle.  I researched width, length, technique, and  lace application and began the work.  Many sewers do use machines to put on the lace, but I decided to sew all the lace by hand.  I did a serged rolled edge on all the layers first.  Then, I cut and separated all the motifs of the lace and tried different placements on the longer tiered veil.  I hand sewed the scalloped edge, and, finally the motifs.  There was no lace placed on the shorter tiers. All three layers were gathered  and attached to a comb.  Ribbon and more lace was added to the comb.  Enjoy the pictures!  Isn't she lovely?  (She's a doctor married to another doctor!)

Check out the pictures of the veil and bride in the "wedding veil" set at SewHealing Flickr.

All Designs Are Copyright Protected copyright 2010

Oliver+s Patterns

Spiritual - There is no sin that is greater that God's mercy.  He did not ask us permission to make us, but He does ask our permission to save us.  All we have to do to receive His mercy is to admit our faults, confess our sins, and ask forgiveness.   St. Paul says, "Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more." Rom 5:20

 

Sewing -  The red dress is the Jump Rope Dress by Oliver+s. 

The style is wonderful - button tab front, cute pockets on the skirt, darling collar, belt loops and fabric belt.  Audrie is the model and, of course, the dress was made for her.  The pattern is for an intermediate sewer. 

The dress I made for Gigi was the Birthday Party Dress.  this is a sleeveless A-line dress.  The front has three box pleats with a button tab and the little dress buttons down the back.  Again, this dress is not for beginners.  It looks adorable on my little girl. 

Jean Jackets

Spiritual -  "I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore, have I drawn thee, taking pity on thee"  (Jer 31,3)  This is the simple story of his love for us. This story never ends, because God is eternal and his love is eternal.  Only sin can separate us, but even then, God's love is ever faithful.  He will stop at nothing, even letting us suffer the circumstances of our sin, to draw us back to his outstretched arms.

Sewing - I love making and wearing jean jackets.  Why? 

• They go together fast. 
• They do not have to be lined.
• They do not have to be fitted as well as dress jacket.
• They can be made of many types of fabrics, from linen to upholstry.
• A coverstitch machine can be used to do the topstitching!

One of my bff, Diane, and I have made dozens of jean jackets and have used two patterns the most,  McCalls 5191, and Kwik Sew 2895. We first made of muslin of KS 2895 and made fitting changes to the pattern pieces. Using these changes, we adjusted Mc 5191. Now, all we need is new fabric and off we go. I will be teaching this jean jacket process when I start my sewing school.