Spiritual - All glory and praise to God.  A Savior, His only Son, and our adopted brother, is born.  We are saved.

Sewing -   As promised, here they are in their dresses.
                                         

Chevrons! Simplicity 3546

Spiritual - God has entrusted to each one of us a share in the great redemptive work of Jesus.  As consecrated souls, we are especially called to cooperate in Christ's work. 

Sewing - Chevrons are everywhere this season.  This dress is made using  project runway Simplicity 3446 and two sizes of black chevrons on white by Riley Blake Designs.  Audrie will wear it with leggings and boots for Christmas.  It slips over the head and has a self tie closure in back. 

Red Houndstooth - Simplicity 2320

Spiritual -   O Jesus, I place my poor soul before You.  Fill me with the zeal which You had for the Father's works, with Your wholehearted, unconditional dedication to the mission he gave You.  But I need You to teach me how to make this zeal genuine and fruitful!  Divine Intimacy

 Sewing -  Gigi's Christmas dress made from red houndstooth by amyteets.  I used a project runway pattern, Simplicity 2320.  This is a size 3.  The trim is black spaghetti bias.

"Baby Dress" by Creations By Michie

Spiritual -  "May my voice loudly resound: with attentive mind may I contemplate You, my God, and with my words sing Your praises; it is right that a creature praise its Creator, for You created and redeemed us that we might praise You, although You do not need our praise."  Divine Intimacy 

Sewing - These heirloom day dresses were made by three "sit & sew" students, Kay, Kit, and Janice.  They have been sewing for years but are just learning heirloom sewing techniques.  They did such a great job, although there was a lot of "sighing" going on. lol  The little batiste dresses were made using "Baby Dress" by Creations By Michie.  The pattern has sizes newborn - 24 months and has three variations.  Instructions are detailed and clear.  Heirloom embroidery designs and instructions, and a slip pattern are included. 

Croquet Dresses by Oliver+s for Gigi

Spiritual -  The Word was made flesh for our salvation and happiness and for the Glory of God.


Sewing -  Both of these dresses were made from Oliver + s pattern, Croquet Dress.  This is a pattern that the beginning sewer would not have a problem with and is designed without any hand-sewing!  All  the seams are enclosed or serged.  Pictures of Gigi in them to follow.

Halloween John-John and Jumper

Spiritual -  Justice means that we respect the rights of others, what they own, and their reputation.  Our relationships with other reflect our knowledge and understanding of the justice and love of our Holy God.  Justice requires that we as a people make laws that respect the dignity and worth of each human person from the womb to the tomb.  This includes all - the weak, the poor, the indigent,  the elderly, and the defenseless.  Employers must treat employees with loyalty, fairness, honesty, and respect and vice verse.  This is true social justice.

Sewing - These are made from Bonnie Blue's "Holly and Hunter."  The embroidery designs were free designs that I tweaked using my embroidery software, Embird.  The lettering was also an Embird alphabet.  I used black Imperial microcheck for the fashion fabric and Imperial batiste for the lining.

Shadow Work Embroidery in the Hoop

Spiritual - Fortitude is one of the cardinal virtues.  It is the virtue that gives us moral courage.  In the face of difficulties, it helps is to remain resolved in our beliefs and convictions.  It helps us to resist temptations, helps us to speak the truth even when it costs us, helps us to stand firm when confronted with injustice, and helps us to decide on the side of what is right when faced with moral conflict.  It gives us strength.  Pray for and practice everyday  fortitude.

 

Sewing - "Vintage Baby Bubbles" by Petite Poche, is a all-in-one, simple to make, baby bubble that appears to be two pieces.  There is a "girl" and a "boy" version in the pattern and comes in sizes 3 months - 24 months.  Cute.  Cute.  Cute.  This can be made in linen for a very dressy occasion or in a sweet little floral, novelty print, or check for a casual everyday bubble.  The pattern includes applique patterns and clear instructions for a rabbit, carrots, and baby chicks.  Instructions are also included for embroidery for embellishment.  Materials used in this sample were English lace edging, a sheer fabric blend called skip dent, and Imperial batiste (lining).

Front appears as two pieces

Back is one  piece

Front flipped up to see button on diaper cover

I've been wanting to try shadow work embroidery in the hoop and bought a design from Applique for Kids.   I download the design and studied the instructions.  Basically, the "solid" body and legs of the chick were embroidered on one piece of  fashion fabric. While still in the hoop, a second piece of  fashion fabric is carefully placed over the embroidered fabric and the outline, grass, etc. were stitched.  Both were taken out of the hoop and treated as one piece of fashion fabric as you continue to follow the pattern instructions.

Shadow work in the hoop

A bonnet to match!

The pattern, lace, and fabric are available in the shop.  This was a joy to make!

Tunic for Audrie

Spiritual - "Mildness is the flower of charily, a participation in that infinite sweetness with which God guides and governs all things.  There is no one who has a greater desire for our good, for  our sanctification, than God; yet He ever uses harshness, severity, or violence.  With a sovereignly gentle power He sustains our efforts, always respecting our liberty, always waiting for our acceptance of grace with infinite patience and mildness."  Divine Intimacy      How I wish I could imitate that mildness!


Sewing - This top for Audrie is a tunic length tucked blouse made using a floral lawn. The pattern I used is the "Tucked Linen Blouse" by Lezette Thomason of Children's Corner. She taught it this summer at the School of Art Fashion in Huntsville. I don't think this will be published.  The tucks are made using the bobbin thread thus eliminating the need to tie the threads on the inside of the garment in order to secure them ... great technique and worth the entire price of the four day school!  I added lace tape at the bottom  and used vintage buttons from my stash.  I have the tunic on "my" dress form which is really too large for Audrie's size, so the tunic "pulls" a little.

Front

Font tucks

Back tucks

Tucks on each sleeve

Side shoulder opening with vintage buttons

Bias and Lace Christening Gown from Granny Kay

Spiritual - Through the gift of His Body and Blood, our Lord wants to transform us. He wants to heal us of our infirmities, nourish our souls, and fill us with purity and grace.  Since the moment of the Last Supper to the present day this has always been the case.  We have only to believe.  Full of Grace, Johnnette S. Benkovic

Sewing -  Kay Manuel, a seasoned sewer, but a new "heirloom" sewer, made this gorgeous christening gown in anticipation of the birth of her first grandchild.  The gown is made of Nelona batiste, Swiss embroideries, machine embroidery, and entredeux.  The yoke is a simple square yoke and the sleeves are 3/4 length.  There are eight gore panels in the skirt.  The center gore has three loops of white lace tape bias representing the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. A cross was machine embroidered  within each loop.  Seven curved godets add extra fullness to the dress.  The gores and godets are attached by Swiss bridging.  The hem is scalloped and trimmed with a beautiful Swiss edging.  The overall dress is about 40 inches long.  Congratulations, Kay, on a beautiful and well done job!

Gown front

Center gore loops

Swiss insertion, machine embroidery, Swiss bridging on yoke

                                                      

Swiss bridging sewn in the center of each sleeve 

Scalloped skirt hem with endredeux and Swiss edging

Slip

Kay and Mason

Kay's daughter, Kimberly, and Mason

Christening Gown from Nanny Mitzi

Spiritual - "Jesus chided Martha, not because she gave herself to activity, but because she was too anxious about it;  'Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled about many things' (Lk 10,41).  God wants activity, but not anxiety, for even in activity, the soul should attend to 'the one thing necessary, ' that is, union with Him.  Therefore, as soon as a soul perceives that it is beginning to lose its interior calm, it should interrupt its work, if possible, at least for an instant, and retire into its interior with God.  These brief moments of pause, frequently repeated, will accustom it, little by little, to keep calm and recollected in God, even in the most absorbing activity.  Divine Intimacy


Sewing - Mitzi Brignac is a "beginning" student and was insistent upon making the christening gown for her Godchild's first baby.  I thought, "Okayyy."  She began learning heirloom techniques sewing a few daygowns, then delved into this beautiful gown and matching cap.  We designed the gown based upon Swiss embroideries she loved and a basic yoke design. She even learned snail shirring!  I think this girl is not afraid to tackle anything. She is a blast to work with and she did a wonderful job!  I can't wait to see what she has in mind for the next project.

Gown front; gown is 30" long

Yoke with Swiss insertion;  Swiss edging at neckline;
machine embroidered cross stitch crosses

Ruffled Swiss edging snail-shirred and sewn to Swiss insertion

Machine embroidered cross stitch crosses circle the skirt

Slip with Swiss embroidery ruffle

Project Runway Simplicity 2359

Spiritual -  "If a soul seeks for God, her Beloved seeks for her even more" (J.C. LF, 3,28).  Mary looked for the Lord with all her heart and the Lord found her, calling her, Mary!  "Although He has risen gloriously, Jesus is always the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep individually; and he 'calleth His own sheep by name... and the sheep follow Him because they know His voice' (Jn 10,3-4).  When Mary hears her name, she recognizes the stranger as her Lord and cries out to Him, her Master!

Added piping

Sewing - An important event was coming up, and, I needed a "nice" dress  So into my stash of patterns and fabric I went.  I found a silk rayon I bought from one of my favorite online fabric sources, Fashion Sewing Group about 8 years ago, and found a project runway inspired simplicity pattern. 


The dress has two variations, sleeveless and this short sleeved version.  The empire upper bodice is underlined and the sleeves and midriff are self-lined.
The skirt is not lined, but easily could be.  I did raise the v-neck 1 1/2".  The pattern called for top-stitching around the front bands and midriff, but I chose to place self-piping in the seams.  The shaping in the bust is made with soft gathers and there are gathers at the front waist.  There are two length variations to the pattern.  I chose the shorter version.  Difficulty:  intermediate level.

Bill and me

Petal sleeves, lined

Kid's School - School of Art Fashion July '12

Spiritual - From the morning watch until night, I have waited trustingly for the Lord.

Sewing -  Audrie, my 10 1/2 old granddaughter attended the School of Art Fashion Kid's School in Huntsville, Alabama for the first time this July.  She was so excited and eager to learn to sew.  She had such a happy, spirit-filled learning experience.  She made wonderful friends and was exposed to so many new people and ideas.  She can't wait till next year.


                          
Audrie, lower left, is modeling her bathing suit cover, water bottle wrap, beach bag, and "wet" swim suit bag.  On the right, she modeling  the eye glass case and a "lagniappe" skirt she got to make after completing her projects!  She takes after her Grannie!



She had a blast!  Going to the SOAF in July will become a new a tradition!  If you sew and want to pass this art on to the next generation and spend really good quality time with your "girls", consider taking this 4 day school.  I can't even begin to tell you how joyful, healing, and rewarding this trip was and can't believe it took me this long to attend one of these events!

Calling her dad.

 Teacher & class

 Excerpt from 8-4-2012 Martha Pullen Newsletter:  "Our kids love to sew just like our adults, I promise. They made the cutest projects, including screened bathing suit bags, glasses cases, a swim suit wrap and lots of other things. Baby Lock underwrites this kid's school and sent in a brand new Sophia embroidery machine for each kid to use the whole time they were here. You would not believe how much they loved to do machine embroidery! All of them mastered the embroidery skill. I can assure you that many of these Sophia's went home with these kids! Thank you BABY LOCK for sending educators, planning the curriculum and for being our kid's school ANGELS! We had lots of assistants in each kid's school who were fabulous and Hilda Wright was once again the principal of the school. Miss Hilda, a retired home economics teacher, taught the kids how to place a knife, fork and spoon properly at the lunch table and insisted on their using good manners while they ate. The kids got a manners lesson in addition to the sewing lessons. Sunday afternoon, as always, I swam with the kids."

                   

School of Art Fashion - Three Generations

Spiritual - Praised by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

                 who bestowed on us in Christ every spiritual blessing in the heavens.

                 God chose us in him before the world began,

                  to be holy and blameless in his sight.

                 He predestined us to be his adopted sons through Jesus Christ, 

                 such was his will and pleasure, that all might praise the

                 glorious favor he has bestowed on us in his beloved.

                 Eph. 1, 3-7

Sewing -  In July, Jennie, Audrie, and I attended the School of Art Fashion in Huntsville, Alabama.


With much anticipation, we left our homes to spend our first "girls only" vacation - a sewing vacation, to boot!  This was my treat, and, of course, was not going to be "cheap."  BUT, I can tell you, that before the first evening was over, it was already worth every penny...as you can see from the pictures!

 We left Lafayette on Wednesday morning and arrived in Huntsville, Ala. at noon in time to register for our classes, peruse the classroom setups,  meet the teachers, look over the retail and wholesale stores, and look at all the wonderful dresses, hand work, quilts, and other hand made items hung all around the Von Braun convention center.  It was so exciting.

We attended classes Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 8:30 - 5:00.  Each morning coffee, juice and tea were served at the center.  At 10:00 snacks such as cinnamon rolls, croissants, cookies, or scones were served.  Lunch each day was a spread that could not have been eaten even if you'd stayed for weeks - salads, soups, meats, fresh vegetables, casseroles, desserts. and a vegan menu at each meal.  At 2:00 snacks included ice cream, pop corn, cookies, rolls, pretzels, etc.  Thursday night was  Potato Bar night.  Friday night was a fabulous style show with a Prime Rib dinner.  Saturday night was Barbecue Night (along with the most famous Huntsville cream pies) hosted by Martha and Joe Pullen at the Art Museum.

Bonus:   Sewing machines by the various companies (see excerpt from Martha's newsletter below) were given away each lunch. The stories of the women who won these machines were so inspirational.  Martha gives glory to God for all she has created and shared with the sewing world and prayer is an integral part of this event. You know that God is present and working in these women's lives.

Door prizes from all the companies and teachers were given away every day.  Table demonstrations after the potato bar on Thursday was wonderful and and teacher selling night after the barbecue was quite interesting!

ALL OF THIS is included in the price of the School...$785 for adults and $485 for kids.  We were lucky to have earned enough air miles to get us there without extra cost and we all stayed in one room in a Holiday Inn next door to the center.  The school supplied a transport bus to transport people to and from the hotel, the Von Braun Center, the Museum, and church.  Sometimes Jennie, Audrie, and I were the only ones on the bus!  The school did arrange for Catholics to attend services at a local Catholic church Saturday evening before the barbecue at the Museum.  The entire Martha Pullen and F & W Media staff are at your service and are so gracious.  The event ended Sunday evening at 5:00.  We stayed over Sunday night and arrived in Lafayette around 1:00 pm on Monday.  We were happy to be home, but talked excitedly about next year's trip.

On too many Shirley Temples!

Letting her hair down!

Martha & us.

Laughed till I cried!

 












Bottom Line:  We were totally spoiled!

Jennie, Audrie, and I took classes in which Bernina and BabyLock combo (sewing & embroidery) were provided.  There was a machine dealer/mechanic, at least one sewing assistant, and the teacher in each classroom.  You had your own table to spread your "stuff" out and there were plenty of cutting tables, irons and ironing boards available to use.  I was provided kits and patterns for 3 wonderful children's outfits.  Jennie was provided  kits for a pair of vogue pants and a darling dress, and Audrie was given kits for 5 projects (see Kid's Sewing School post on blog). What more could you want? 

Jennie & her BabyLock

Linen Blouse

 Did we come home with extra stuff?  Yea...fabric, patterns, machine embroidery cds, specialty items, a sewing machine (shhh...present for Christmas).  But, hey, this is what I save my money for!  Next year, several of my students/daughters are going to join us.  The School of Art Fashion is held every February and every July.  This was my very first time.   I'm just sorry it took me so long to decide to go.  What a hoot!!!

Portrait Beach Dress

Day 1

Vogue dress & red pant

A Sweet Dress

Jennie working late into the night!

Excerpt from Martha Pullen's 8-4-2012 Newsletter:

I am so deeply grateful to all of our teachers and our staff who worked so very hard getting ready for this special event and to our sewing machine companies - Baby Lock, Bernina, Pfaff and Viking - for their generosity in sending machines and teachers. Baby Lock underwrote the whole kid's school sending in 85 machines and four teachers. Baby Lock also underwrote the teachers and the assistants for three more schools. Baby Lock gave away four machines as door prizes. Steve Jeffery, president of Baby Lock, came to visit with us for two days. Pfaff, Viking and Bernina furnished machines for schools also. Pfaff gave away three machines. Viking gave two machines for door prizes. Rob Barber, national sales director for Pfaff and Viking was there for two days. Bernina also gave a machine at lunch on Sunday. All four companies also contributed gifts to everyone at lunch. As I announced several times, the generosity of these four companies make it possible for us to offer the school at a very reasonable price. THANK YOU! I would like to thank the dealers who were here with these companies. Tony Coulson and Kristi Coulson-Fearn with S&R Sewing in Huntsville represented Baby Lock and Viking. Catherine Forsyth from Sewing Machine Mart in Birmingham represented Pfaff. Robin Parker from Robin's Sewing in Birmingham represented Bernina.