The Old Fashioned Baby

The Old Fashioned Baby is one of my favorite pattern companies.  I love the detail on her designs and it was probably one of the first of many heirloom patterns that I purchased years ago.  One of her patterns that I used over and over again, is the one pictured below.  Making those dresses was like stepping back in time.  I used Liberty of London fabric,  a *lawn fabric.... making it delightful to sew with, and giving each dress the vintage look that I was desiring.  If you have not worked with Liberty of London fabric, spoil yourself...it's wonderful...and you'll probably want to make a blouse for yourself!  Handwork ideas, along with their patterns, are always included with each pattern packet and making piping by using contrast fabric sets these patterns apart.  I give The Old Fashioned Baby an A and great patterns to start with for heirloom sewing.

Forgive my one and only picture of this pattern but back in the day I didn't take pictures of all of the outfits that I made except for this one.  ;-)

The pattern: Now known as Maddie's Toddler Dress.



One of the many dresses that I made using this delightful pattern:

*cotton

2. Lawn cloth or lawn is a plain weave textile, originally of linen but now chiefly cotton. Lawn is designed using fine, high count yarns, which results in a silky, untextured feel. The fabric is made using either combed or carded yarns.
   Google lawn fabric for more ideas.  ;-)  Happy sewing!

Continuing On - Critiquing Patterns I Have Used, Izzy & Ivy

In the coming weeks, I thought I would review some of the many patterns that I have made or worked with over the many years that I have been sewing and share my honest opinion of how they worked out for me.  Some patterns, though cute, completely baffled me while others proved to be a joy to work with.  I have been one who can actually visualize an outfit, quilt, pillow, purse, etc. completely finished in my mind before I even start.  It has always surprised me as to how many people cannot do that.  For me, once I purchase a pattern, I can quickly find the exact fabric that I am looking for to get the look I already have pictured in my mind.  Working in a quilt shop was perfect for me and helping women who struggle in that area was a wonderful challenge that I relished.  I would spend as long as it took with every customer until she could visualize her quilt in her mind using the fabric that we picked out together.  I loved doing that!!  Back to my blog....

As far as children's garments are concerned, I have used, Kari Mecca, Izzy & Ivy, Children's Corner,  Favorite Things, Olive Ann Designs, The Old Fashioned Baby, Fiona Bell, Rob Merrett, Petite Poche, Janet Pray, Victoria Jones, etc., etc..  I can't even count all of the designers that I have used in the past.  That being said, I must confess that I rarely use the traditional pattern makers, McCalls, Butterick, Vogue,  Burda, etc., because I enjoy using someone different.  I don't dislike the traditional, I just love designs that are fun and unique.  The problem  that I have found in using many of the newer designer's patterns however is that many simply do not know how to write directions properly and many seamstresses out there get frustrated....including me.  In fact, if I were not a good seamstress on my own, I would have thrown the cute  designer pattern, fabric, and everything I purchased to go with it in the trash.  BUT...I can eventually figure out what the designer is striving to explain and move on, but for many out there, especially those newer sewers, it's nearly impossible.  Hence my reason for writing the next few post.

Yesterday I started with Martha Pullen, today I will talk about Izzy & Ivy.  I love their designs, I love how they include their label in the pattern, and I love the pictures on the front of their patterns.  It's all about marketing ladies.  HOWEVER, their instructions are very poor.  When I travel, I visit quilt shops and nice fabric shops to see what is new and popular.  In one very nice fabric shop in Lawrence, KS  I saw a little girl's mannequin with one of the Izzy & Ivy dresses that I had made in the past year. The store owner was nearby and we had a great discussion in regards to this particular pattern.  She shared that it was one of her most popular little girl patterns that she sells in her shop.  BUT because of the difficulty of the directions, she said that she felt as though she needed to give a class to those who purchased the pattern so that they could actually  complete the dress.  How sad.  I have made three Izzy & Ivy patterns, including the one that was on display.  My granddaughters absolutely loved the dresses that I made...but beware.  Unless they've changed, I give these patterns a C overall...and if you're new to sewing, wait awhile before trying these.

Here are the three patterns that I made:

This one is Macy Giggles.




The next two are Kayla Bubble.  (A side note here- as you can see, I did not bubble any of the dresses but simply hemmed them.  ALSO, you need to know how to wrap elastic thread in your bobbin as the entire back is elasticized....but so cute!)

This last one, the one that was on display in Kansas, is Beverly Belle.  This is not one for the weak of heart.  ;-)

Back...And Critiquing Patterns I Have Used In The Past

It has been far too long since my last post and lots has happened in my absence..including sewing! I thought I might do something different this time around.  I thought I would give a critique.... similar to what I have already done in past posts..... of the patterns that I use when making projects.   I am doing this for myself as well as for you so that I will remember what I especially liked and maybe didn't like when using that particular pattern. Are you ready?

First up is Martha Pullen.  I have had the wonderful privilege of attending several of Martha's schools and have loved every one of them.  If you ever get the opportunity to go,  take it..I promise..you will not be disappointed.  Over the many years that I have been using Martha's patterns, I have always found  her directions, techniques, and designs to be top notch. Recently I was licensed in  yet another of Martha's Schools, this one being "Children's Garment Construction".  Below are some of the projects that I have made... with more to come.  I give Martha's patterns an "A" overall with many great for beginners.  The only thing I found was that they tend to run a little big.  Having seventeen grandkids to far, I have my own built in models that I can try these clothes on thereby getting a good evaluation of size.  My granddaughters are tall, but very slim.  The dresses especially were a little large for them "around" their bodies, but laying that aside, my granddaughters LOVED these outfits...which is the most important thing to me anyhow.  Here is what I have made:

Even though it was way too big, my granddaughter just had to wear this when having a tea party with my daughter.  Pretty cute!

This is the little boy's shirt from the class too.  Easy to make and very classy looking I think.

Since returning home I was also able to get a quilt done for one of my newer grandsons.  As you know, I love putting 'minkie' on the back of my quilts for them and I chose the rosebud minkie for the back of this one.

Until next time!

Declan

So I just had to make my sweet little Declan his own shirt too.  I think I got most of my kiddos going to Hawaii now covered!  Whew!

Here's Declan's shirt,  the front:

 The back:

Here's a quick peek at all of them :  Christopher's  (Declan's daddy)

Cash's, (Declan's big brother)

Rebekah, (Declan's mommy.)

John and Michael each got one of these.  (Declan's uncles)

And then the one I made for Rick at the shop.

Okay...I'm done!!!

Christopher

My son-in-law Christopher is a great son-in-law, husband and father.  His patience with his boys is beyond anything I could ask for.  I am quite sure that being raised in a christian home and also being the oldest of eight kids has played a huge part in molding   Christopher into the man that he is today.  My husband and I feel totally blessed that he is a part of our ever growing family.

Since Christopher is also going to Hawaii next month, I wanted to make sure that he had a Hawaiian shirt to wear on the trip.  Below is the shirt made out of the fabric that Christopher picked out for himself and his boys.

Now on to making my sweet little Declan's!  Until next time....

I Am A Disciple

No pictures of sewing today.. just thought  I would share something I heard on a cassette tape well over 25 years ago.  As a young mom of seven kids, it simply broke my heart to hear this letter being read.  And as  I listen to the daily news and hear about so many who are being persecuted and killed for their faith, this letter comes quickly to mind.  Please keep our brothers and sisters who are facing the real possibility of martyrdom on a daily basis in your hearts and in your prayers.  Thank you.

I Am A Disciple Of Jesus Christ

I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast.  I have stepped over the line.  The decision has been made--

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ!

I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still!

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure!

I am finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals!

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity!

I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded!

I live by faith, lean on His Presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer and labor by Holy Spirit Power.

My face is set! My goal is heaven! My road is narrow! My way rough, my companions few,

but.....

My Guide is reliable and my mission is clear!

I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed!

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy or meander in the maze of mediocrity!

I won’t give up, shut up, let up or slow down

Until I’ve stayed up, prayed up, paid up, stored up and preached up for the cause of Christ!

I am a disciple of Jesus! I must give until I drop, preach until all know and work until He stops me.
And when He comes to claim His own, He will have no problem recognizing me, my banner will be clear!

(This letter was nailed to the door of a young pastor’s home in Zimbabwe, Africa who had suffered severely for his faith. and who was later martyred)

“With His Finger God wrote on the stone,

None could change it

None erase it.

My sin smashed the stone

broke His heart

impaled the Author on a cross-beam

Now His Finger writes again----------

again on my heart.”

Hermom Pettit

Holden's Onesie

I thought that you needed to see Holden's onesie since I shared Hudson's.  You didn't see what I had embroidered on the front of Hudson's little outfit....under the shirt portion...I embroidered,  "Two words come to mind...Stud & Muffin"  Whenever John or Michael wanted something from their dad or me they would begin "kissing up" to us something horrible! , I would always respond with, "Hmmm, two words come to mind, brown and nose."  One day when I began to say that phrase to Michael,  he quickly interrupted by finishing the phrase with, "I know mom, stud and muffin."  We always laughed over that, so it was completely natural for me to embroider that new phrase on Michael's first born's outfit.

With Holden, I embroidered something entirely different.  The whole time that my daughter-in-law was pregnant, my grandson Logan called the baby Chewbacca or Chewy for short.  He seriously wanted my son and daughter-in-law to call the new baby by that name.  It was so ingrained in their minds when Holden was born, that John and Lindsey had a difficult time coming up with a real name...they still called him Chewy.   FINALLY they settled on the name Holden.....praise God.  I was fearful that I would have a grandson by the name of Chewbacca!!  So on Holden's little outfit, I embroidered :

Two words come to mind.....Chew & Bacca.  I HAD to do that...... for Logan of course!

Lift that little shirt up and you will see the embroidery.  I decided to make Holden's with green batik instead of the brown that I used on Hudson's, plus I made his in a 12 month size instead of a 6 month size like Hudson's.  I'm thinking Holden is going to be a big boy!

Until next time.....