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.

 

Evening Bags - Smocking by Machine

Sewing - These evening bags were all made using instructions and inspirations from The Boutique Collection CD by Debbie Yedziniak.   The flaps of the bags were smocked in the hoop by embroidery machine and were so much fun to make.  The purses are made of dupioni silk, various trims, beading, and chains.  I have given a few as gifts and have sold a few.  I took a class from Debbie during a Martha Pullen seminar in Opelousas that was hosted by Brambleberry Lane owned and operated by Elaine Richard in 2007.   Debbie has wonderful stuff on her website and is a generous teacher and developer.  She allows her students to make and sell stuff made from her patterns and CDs.  Yea, Debbie.

The Abby Glen Dress

Spiritual - Often, in our daily duties and spiritual lives, we are discouraged and come to a stand still because we insist on our own ideas and understanding of what God's plans for us are.  We look to the Blessed Virgin as our model during these times.  According to Scripture, extraordinary supernatural manifestations certainly surrounded the Annunciation and the birth of Jesus. The events of the remainder of  her life were ordinary to the times and to her particular circumstances - poverty, fleeing into exile to save her child, taking care of her family and watching him grow and develop.  This was all done under the veil of pure faith.  Mary knew her child was the Messiah, but she did not know how he would carry out his mission.  She knew he was her God and that was enough for her.  Mary, help me have the faith you have in your most precious Son.

  

Sewing - Heirloom Creations Peggy Burley and Sharon Boute offer weekend retreats to their regular sewing students, and ,occasionally, to their customers. I attended the Abby Glen Retreat October 2-4, 2009 and had a fabulous time. We were guided by Peggy in sewing her new pattern, the Abby Glen dress made of cotton dotted Swiss. It is a precious pattern and I learned a few new finishing techniques making this darling little dress. I also had time to complete another version of this pattern during the retreat. The food, company, and fun and lively breaks between sewing was such a treat. I look forward to another. Thanks Peggy and Sharon.

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Trapunto Jewels Sweater

Spiritual - How much do we love God?  Can we ever love Him enough - totally and perfectly?  Yes -but only in Heaven!  Isn't that consoling?  Only then we can love Him as much as He is lovable.  On earth, we can never achieve this kind and amount of love - it just isn't possible.  It is possible to make acts of love each time we will to do so.  It is always in our power to unite our being, sorrows, desires, heart, will and affections to God by an act of love.  We can do it in a number of ways - prayer, acts of love, sacrifices, smiles, receiving the sacraments, and attending the greatest prayer on earth, the Holy Mass.


Sewing - I subscribe to a wonderful sewing/fashion newsletter,
The Fashion Sewing Group, published by Nancy Erickson.  In the the Fall-2007 issue, she worked out the steps to make a replica of a long sleeved top at the Neiman's Chanel boutique that sold for $1380.00!  It was made of wool.  The newsletter had a beautiful basic knit made of poly/viscose/spandex.  She included a similar pattern for the trapunto which we traced onto silk organza, pinned to the wrong side of the knit, and stitched around the drawings.  A slit was cut through the organza and each "jewel" was stuffed with small scraps of the knit until the look was achieved.  Cut away the extra organza and fuse the trapunto area with a light interfacing.  This will close the slits and reduce the scratchiness of the organza.  The knit top pattern is also a Nancy pattern, 1960.http://www.fashionsewing.com/1960.htm

Baby Love

Spiritual - God knew us before the world began.  How loving and personal. He knew us before we were even a glint in our parent's eye!  He knew the circumstances that would shape our personalities, whether or not we would be obedient, whether or not we would be charitable or faithful, whether or not we would be successful or not.  And he created us still.  He assured us, through His Holy Word, that He would take care of us and give us the graces we need for our ultimate salvation. We have to believe Him and act on our belief.

Sewing - My new baby grandaughter, Gillian Lane Stelly (Gigi), dressed in a one piece baby romper made of 100% cotton batiste.  The pattern is The Old Fashioned Baby Best Embroidered Baby Clothes, Two.  Love, love, love her.  But, not as much as her Mommy does.  I happened to catch her mother gazing at her beautiful new wonder and got this shot.  It says a thousand words!

Wedding Gown into Christening Gown!

Spiritual -  I have oftened wondered why Jesus submitted to Baptism.  I went to the "source" - the CCC. Of course, the answer was profound and complete. 

"The baptism of Jesus is on his part the acceptance and inauguration of his mission as God's suffering Servant.  he allows himself to be numbered among sinners; he is already 'the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.'  Already he is anticipating the 'baptism' of his bloody death,  already he is coming to 'fulfill all righteousness,' that is, he is submitting himself entirely to his Father's will;  out of love he consents to this baptism of death for the remission of our sins.  The Father's voice responds to the son's acceptance, proclaiming his entire delight in his Son.  The spirit whom Jesus possessing in fullness from his conception comes to 'rest on him.'  Jesus will be the source of the spirit for all mankind. At his baptism, 'the heavens were opend' - the heavens that Adam's sin had closed' and the waters were sanctified by the descent of Jesus and the Spirit, a prelude to the new creation."

Sewing -  One of my clients, who was expecting a baby girl, brought her wedding gown and asked if I could make a christening gown from the dress and replicate the style.  It was a lovely princess styled gown showered with floral sprays of silver metallic thread with blue seed and bugle beads.  Although this was not the usual christening gown that I made, I was glad to take on the job.  At first, I didn't thank it would required the thought, planning, or labor that an heirloom dress would have taken.  Well, I was wrong.  The pattern had to be drafted, then placed very carefully on the dress around the beaded parts.  Some of the beading had to be removed and re-beaded after the dress was completed.  It was lined using the wedding dress lining and hand embroidery embellished the front yoke.  IMHO, it turned out really lovely.  The cap was wonderful too.  She and her husband were delighted.  I was very happy about that.  I have to give credit to the our Blessed Mother - for I prayed to her all through the process!