Daddy Doesn't Want Frills on His Son's Christening Gown?

Spiritual - Before the day of our holy Baptism, we had only a human life.  Afterwards, we began to participate in the Divine life. We became incorporated in Christ as His members and received the Holy Spirit for the first time.  The Holy Spirit began to diffuse Christ's graces in us so that we could begin to live and walk in Christ.  This sacrament is the first; the other sacraments restore, root, invigorate and build up this divine life within us.  This gift, however, requires our cooperation.  "Every sin, fault, or voluntary negligence dishonors Christ and grieves the Holy Spirit who lives within us.  We cannot remain content to merely avoid sin; we must also strive to make Christ's life increase in us.  Without our cooperation, it is possible for this life to remain stationary in us for twenty, thirty, fifty years after our baptism, after hundreds of confessions and Holy communions.  We may be adult, or even aged in years, but children according to grace!"

Sewing - This is an interesting history of Christening gowns.

Simple & lovely.  This "boy" Christening gown was made using one of the patterns by Nancy Coburn from her series of books of baby & toddler's gowns, day dresses, and suits.  It was made using white Imperial batiste (blend, so won't need ironing), a simple sweet Swiss embroidery, entredeaux, and thread.  An intermediate beginner can make this gown.

Ginger Snaps Designs By Nancy Coburn.  Nancy has a series of these booklets which include the basic pattern and several variations of each gown.  SewHealing has several in the shop. 

The yoke has two sets of triple (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) pintucks that flank three machine embroidered cross-stitched crosses. The yoke is attached to the skirt with entredeaux.  The neck is finished with Swiss embroidery.

The band at the bottom of the gown is a simple repeat of the yoke.  There are two sets of the triple pintucks.  The machine embroidered cross-stitched crosses are placed evenly around the band between the sets of pintucks.

Triple pintucks and crosses are repeated on the lower sleeve. A sweet  Swiss embroidery embellishes the three-quarter length sleeve and the neck.  The sleeve is a set in sleeve and has no gathers at the shoulder.

Christening cap

Triple pintucks, crosses and Swiss embroidery are featured on the Christening cap.  

The Classroom & Shop are Ready

Spiritual - The promise of Jesus that They would take "abode" in us is never ending; it is renewed every time we exhibit charity.  This gift, so freely and generously given, should compel us to our own generosity and constant charity. As humans we need much help in this area.  "The Blessed Trinity will set no limits to the effusion of charity and grace in our soul, provided we place no obstacle to their development. Our horizon is broad and boundless, because the model proposed to us by Jesus for our life of union with the Blessed Trinity, is that very union that exits between the three divine Persons Themselves."  All we have to do to grow in charity is to try to love a little more each day or receive grace through the Sacraments and They multiply that love until we don't even recognize ourselves.

Sewing -  My arm is a bit stiff, but out of the splint and sewing and altering away!   Caroline, my PA is a doll and has a great business mind.  You can see her sitting at the desk pretending she's loving putting in all that inventory.  She'll be going to school in the fall, but will still have a few hours for me each week.  We have everything ready in the shop and in  the classroom.  As you can see, I've posted a few classes.  If you are interested in a full schedule, email or private message me.

I will be opening the shop on an "on call" basis and on particular Wednesdays of the month.  The shop will be open  from 9 - 4 on Aug. 31, Sept. 14 & 28.  Of course,  I will sell merchandise before and after classes if students need anything.  If you know anyone who needs sewing supplies, please give them my number - 942 1485.

Please call if there are any classes you are interested in or particular time frames that would work better for you.  I am pretty flexible.  I hope you will call soon:)

Four More Weeks in the Splint!

Front  Door

Spiritual - "The kingdom of God is within you." (Lk 17,21)  The Blessed Trinity took abode in our soul the very moment of our Baptism.  If They are already present in our soul, then why do we continue to ask Them to come to us in time of prayer or need?  The church teaches us that the friendship or relationship we have with the Trinity is in different degrees.  As a soul grows in grace and charity, it acquires a greater capacity for a deeper relationship and this visit is renewed each time we advance in charity or receive grace from the Sacraments.  Because these new "effusions" produce effects which are new, we call them new visits of the divine Persons.  "Their visit does not come from without but from within the soul itself, where They dwell and give Themselves; and even, to a certain degree, reveal Themselves to the soul according to the words of Jesus: "He that loveth Me, shall be loved of My Father and I will Love him and will manifest Myself to him"...  Divine Intimacy     More on this next time.

Rear  Foyer

Sewing - FOUR more weeks in my splint!  This fractured arm has given me a whole new perspective.  It has made me more cognizant of disabled people and maimed soldiers.  It has also slowed me down a bit and helped me to "smell the roses."  That is a good thing.

What is happening in the shop?  Wreaths are on the doors, fabric priced and  on the shelves, patterns organized,  notions, beads, and floche on the pegboards, books in racks, laces, piping, bias, and ribbons in slots, wool felt on shelves,  and sewing tables and machines  are ready for students.  Thanks to my PA (personal assistant), a student between semesters, I have been able to continue to get things going in spite of my splinted arm. The shop will also carry sewing and serger thread, elastic, trims, buttons, small supply of zippers, DMC embroidery floss, DMC floche, Madeira silk floss, interfacing, stabilizers, jewelry, baby gifts etc.

Laces and Ribbons

Classes have been postponed as well.  I taught a few private beginning sewing classes and have managed well. Classes I plan to offer starting in the fall include "learning" your sewing machine and serger classes, beginning sewing, beginning hand sewing,  heirloom bonnets, day gowns,and Christening gowns,  hair accessories, unlined jackets, making and fitting panties,  skirts, sundresses, knitting and crochet, baby layettes, etc. These classes will be scheduled according to demand.  Jewelry lessons will also be taught by Jennie P. Stelly, JennStones.

Sit and Sew classes will be for sewers who already know how to sew and know their machines well.  These will be 3 hour sessions.  There will be a morning session and an evening session once a week to start. Tuesdays seems to be the plan for Sit and Sew at the moment. 

Caroline, my PA (lol) and I work everyday to get ready to start teaching & selling.  Actually, if you need supplies, call me, 942-1485, and we can make arrangements for you to come by. 

Back  Door

Fractured Right Radius