Kate's LLK Charleston Baby Set

I am fortunate to have some wonderful volunteers in my kindergarten classroom.  I am blessed!  I have never had a field trip that was under chaperoned and have had amazing help over the years putting together large portfolios full of school work and scrap-booked photos for my students.  My daughter Victoria-Rose is one that comes through for me every year and makes the portfolios something to be cherished.  Another mother came in this past year and spent many Friday mornings helping to build these large binders full of memories.  To thank her, I made her littlest one an outfit.  Little Kate is two and a little blond beauty.  Both mama and Kate love purple and I wanted to make a PDF pattern I had purchased from Little Lizard King (Link: HERE).  It turned out to be the perfect combination!

Pattern:  Little Lizard King  "Baby Charleston", size 2 with a 3 length

Fabrics:  JoAnn 

My little lopsided mannequin is too small for this size but was adequate for the photos.

I made three buttonholes on the straps for adjusting the fit as Kate grows.  The little bloomers have a decorative lavender shell button to denote the front for little Kate's attempts at self dressing.  "Button over your belly button!"

The inside of the pattern finishes nicely.  I was assured that it fit well and that Kate loved the outfit.   I enjoyed sewing a new pattern and love the batik fabric.  There really is no right or wrong side and washing the fabric, as I always do before cutting, didn't create lots of wrinkles. 

 This was a very pleasant sewing experience!

Thank you for reading!  Have a wonderful day!

A Little Southern Charm for Avery

Signature Style for Project Run & Play Sew-Along

"Charm is more valuable than beauty.

You can resist beauty,

But you can't resist charm."

Audrey Tatou

This sweet little baby dress is for Avery, a darling little 1.5 year old who is the daughter of a former kindergarten student of mine.  Megan's mother, Jill,  was the speech and language specialist at my school for over 25 years.  I had the pleasure of teaching all of Jill's children in my kindergarten class and she taught my daughter.  (She had a lisp.)  Now I have the pleasure of working with Megan as she is the occupational therapist at our school.  Megan has very similar tastes to mine.  She loves smocking and embroidery, lace, and vintage styling.  She loves the southern style bonnets little girls in the south wear in the spring and summer months.  I very much enjoyed making this for Miss Avery!

In my last post (HERE) I discuss my two signature styles.  This outfit is obviously The Classic Children's Clothing style.  It has nearly everything:  hand smocking, lace, vintage buttons, a bonnet, hand hemming, heirloom pattern and techniques, and a longer hemline.

Outside & Inside of Front Bodice:  hand smocking, min piping, antique lace, glass beads, hand stitched facing.

Avery's Dress & Bloomers:  New Look #6501 size 19-21 pounds (Medium) for the dress and the bloomers.  This size was chosen because the pattern seems to run 'large'.

Materials:  I used a soft tiny blue and green floral cotton print from my stash from Concord Fabrics, Inc.  The selvege says that if is designed 'By THE KESSLERS' and crafted with pride in the U.S.A.  A piece of vintage Irish crochet, mini piping from Farmhouse Fabrics, an antique shell button, and tiny blue glass beads were the notions used.

Adaptations:  I widened the front skirt width to 3 times the width of the bottom of the bodice piece to pleat it for smocking.  I also added a couple of inches to the width of the back skirt piece and cut it on the fold.  I lengthened the hem to give a more traditional 2 inch hem,  I completely changed the back skirt placket in order to make a more dainty heirloom style placket.  I made narrow bias for the underarms (instead of using purchased bias tape) and hand stitched it down.  I hand stitched the linings, as well. I used French seams on the sides of the dress.

Avery's Southern Bonnet:  Petite Poche "Le Petite Enfant" (size 18 months), the tiny floral print, mini piping, antique shell buttons, white cotton sateen, woven interfacing, and a bit of elastic were used to make this adorable bonnet. 

Bloomers & Bonnet
The back of the dress.

A tiny running stitch for 'ease' was sewn on the A-line back hem to bring in the fullness when making a deeper hem.  

The heirloom placket is nearly invisible from the front and is neat and tidy on the inside.

Smocking Plate is part of 'Spring Riot' by Julia Golson.  Crocheted lace was found in a basket of trimmings at an antique store.  It was nearly teddy bear brown with age and dirt but a good soak in a Biz bucket restored its beauty.

I am very pleased with the way this bonnet came out and look forward to making more of them!  I actually have a reproduction of an antique baby bonnet collection pattern that includes this very bonnet with a slightly deeper brim.  There are several companies that sell this style bonnet for rather steep prices.

Unbuttoning the bonnet for laundering makes this bonnet much easier to care for than you might think.  There is a little bit of elastic in the bottom back that causes it to curve a bit there but otherwise, you iron the bonnet sections flat.  Buttoning the brim to the back causes the fluting/ruffling around the crown.  

I hope that you have enjoyed looking at Avery's Southern Charm outfit.  I will be linking up this post to the Signature Sew-Along at Project Run & Play HERE.  I think that you will enjoy checking out all the other wonderful outfits there.

"The South....

Our tea is sweet

Words are long

Days are warm

And faith is strong."

The Hope Chest Inspired Shower, Part 8: The Baby Bonnet & Bibs

 You might think that a baby bonnet and bibs would have no place at a Bridal Shower but... remember the theme of my gift to my niece!

I had determined to make my gift representative of the things typically found in a hope chest of yesteryear (updated, of course). (See the end of this post for the links to the original post and the gifts posted thus far.) This was a "Hope Chest" (basket) filled with things that I made or collected for my wonderful niece.  Along with my hope that Kelly be blessed with a wonderful marriage, I also hold the hope that Kelly and Josh will be blessed with children some day.  In  Rebekah Wilson's book, she discusses the wide variety of things that would be placed in a hope chest of 'yesterday'.  Among the items one would save/make/collect would be family heirlooms like blessing or christening gowns and special baby items.  Young girls would often make things for their future children and place them in their hope chests or the 'bottom drawer' of their dressers if they didn't have a designated hope chest.

A great resource book about Hope Chests and what goes in them.

Like the bread cloth I shared in my last post (see HERE), this gift was made using a family vintage tablecloth, this time from my mother.  When our mother died, my sister and I discovered this cloth on a shelf in her linen closet.  We remembered it from the Easter dinners my mother would host for all of us when our children were little.  It was badly stained and my efforts in getting the stains out resulted in the fabric fibers disintegrating where I worked too hard.  The rest of the tablecloth was in excellent shape so I saved it to re-purpose into something new that would have sentimental value for my sister and myself (and hopefully  our children).  Baby clothes for our children's children fit the bill perfectly!

Kelly loved this little set and was touched that it was made with something that belonged to another of her grandmothers.  

So pretty but in really bad shape.

I used a commercial pattern (Simplicity 1794) to design the bonnet and two bibs.  I love that the bonnet can be worn three ways, as it is completely reversible.  I lined the bonnet in a tiny blue and white pima cotton check.  (Another set has been cut out to make for my own daughter's hope chest.)

The bonnet can be worn with the embroidered/appliqued side showing and the brim down for shading a baby's little face.

Gingham side out.

My favorite way to have the bonnet worn:  gingham side out with the fancy side folded to the outside.

Bib #1:  The Feeding Bib

Bib #2:  The Drool Bib

I have one more post of gifts made for Kelly's Hope Chest Inspired Shower Gift and hope to have it posted after Valentine's Day.  ( I have some Valentines Day sewing to share first!)

If you wish to see the initial post about the Tea Party Shower or some of the other gifts I made, please see the links below: 

• The "Hope Chest" Inspired Shower, Part 1:  The Party 
• The Hope Chest Inspired Shower, Part 2:  The Nightgown
• The Hope Chest Inspired Shower, Part 3:  The Spring Kitchen Set
• The Hope Chest Inspired Shower, Part 4: Bowl Covers!
• The Hope Chest Inspired Shower, Part 5:  The Embroidered Hankie
• The Hope Chest Inspired Shower, Part 6:  The Shoe Bag and Round Travel Tote
• The Hope Chest Inspired Shower, Part 7:  The Bread Cloth

Have a wonderful day!  

Smocked Layette for Project Run & Play Season 8: My Signature Style

Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

 My signature style is full of old-fashioned details:  smocking, embroidery, French lace, heirloom sewing techniques, silk ribbon, traditional/classic baby patterns.  This set was made for my godmother/aunt to give as a shower gift to a great niece.  It is made of a lovely shade of blue Imperial batiste, silk ribbon and French lace.

Using the Imperial batiste (fine polycotton) makes this little ensemble very easy to launder.  It can go right in the washer and dryer (inside out) on the delicate cycle with other delicate things.  Remove promptly and only the ribbon ties may need a quick pressing.

 The pattern for the tiny (newborn to size 3 months) diaper shirt and diaper cover is from Australian Smocking & Embroidery #61.  The magazine design didn't incorporate lace and was all in white but otherwise I made the outfit as illustrated there.  I used white floche (type of embroidery thread) for the smocking and two shades of pink floche for the roses.  Floche is a lovely fiber for delicate smocking and embroidery.  It is not separated by strands and is about the thickness of two strands of DMC cotton six strand embroidery floss. The bonnet was made using an old Grace Knott pattern.

I used the smocking design that the designer (Margaret Wight of South Austrailia) created for the ensemble in the magazine.

 The back of the dress has four lovely buttons that I embroidered with pink rose buds.

You can see just how tiny this little top was in the next picture.  The armholes are uniform...I just had the outfit sitting crooked on the hanger.  

 

The bloomers were made with a folded over ruffle on the tushie.  I added the gathered French lace and the silk bow to tie it in more with the top and the bonnet.  I embroidered another rose on the ribbon, of course.

 I smocked a simple design adapted from the smocking plate in the pattern on the bonnet.

 The silk ribbon ties were attached with more of the hand embroidered roses.

I loved making this ensemble!  I adore making baby clothes.  They are my absolute favorite things to make, especially if they are smocked and embroidered and dripping with fine materials.

I hope you liked this little outfit!  The outfit was a big hit with the baby's family and created quite a stir at the shower.  My daughter loved this whole ensemble so I know that I'll be making another one for my grandmother's hope chest someday.   I'm wondering... given the soft easy care material used in this outfit, would the young mothers you know put this on their babies?

Pinafore Sundress Outfit From Vintage Patterns

I love vintage sewing patterns!  I love so many of the styles of years gone by:  full skirts, circle skirts, bonnets, butterfly sleeves, puffed sleeves, and beautiful embellishments.  I made this little ensemble in 2008 and sold it at the Women's Exchange in St. Augustine.  I used two very old patterns from my pattern stash to create this toddler outfit with vintage appeal.

The fabric was a soft muted yellow floral cotton that reminded me of fabrics in the 1940's.  The embroidered eyelet was some that I had 'mellowing' in my stash and was just enough for the butterfly sleeve treatment.  The buttons were from a button box passed on to me by a friend.

The pattern is one of those really old ones from the 1940's that had been ordered from a newspaper and had no written pattern markings, just different sized holes arranged in patterns to show what the pieces were for and how to attach them.  This was my first attempt at sewing with one of these patterns and I discovered that it wasn't difficult at all for someone with pattern reading experience.  The pattern called for a deeper hem but the style was already a short one so I opted for a narrow hem.  The little shorts were part of the original pattern and were obviously quite needed for modesty.

 The bonnet was made from a different vintage pattern from the same decade.

 The bonnet buttoned in the back making the bonnet much easier to wash and iron.

 The bonnet has a great brim for shielding delicate skin from the sun's damaging rays.

Someday I'll have to make these patterns again.  I hope you enjoyed them!

Something to ponder:

The game of life is a game of boomerangs.

Our thoughts, deeds, and words return to us

sooner or later with astounding accuracy."

Anonymous

Think wonderful thoughts, do kind deeds, and speak beautiful words, my friends!  Have a wonderful day!

A is for Autumn

Katy of No Big Dill has begun a new sewing series that is just 'right up my alley' as a kindergarten teacher.  She is 'sewing up the alphabet' this year and has invited us to do the same and link to her blog about it on Sept. 6, 2013 (HERE).  She made the most beautiful dress for her niece with a subtle 'arrow' on the skirt  for the Letter A that is simply stunning.  I couldn't wait to begin sewing!

Over the past two weeks, on my long drive to and from school, I have been fantasizing, mentally designing, and sewing dozens of outfits for this series.  Alas, I have sewn next to nothing.   In my head there is a pants outfit with ants embroidered on it carrying food away and another with hand embroidered redwork animals.  In my head....that is as far as I got.  

So... I have resorted to going through pictures of things that I have made in the past that I have not shared in detail on this blog, searching for things that fit Katy's theme.  I found plenty of apple themed dresses but I shared them in a post HERE.  Finally I found this little baby outfit that I named 'Autumn Frolic'.

The fabric reminds me of watercolor autumn flowers and I just fell in love with it when I bought it a few years before I actually cut into it.  Let's just say that I was 'saving' it for this project.   This little Autumnal ensemble was made for gorgeous Natalie back in 2008.  Her grandmother had commissioned me to make several little outfits for Natalie, her first grandchild.  

I used a Children's Corner pattern called "Hilary" in a size one knowing that it ran big and would be more like a size 18 months.  I decided to add a little smocking and loved how the fabric pleated up.  It was 'busy' already so I just did a simple cable and wave pattern without any extra embroidery.  

 The little appliqued 3D flowers were from a Primrose Lane pattern called "Baby Rose".  I sewed it to the ribbon and then pinned it on with a safety pin so that it could be removed for washing.

 I made and applied lots of tiny piping using a quilting calico and lined the bodice and sleeves in the same fabric.

 I love the closure on the back in this pattern.  It crosses over and buttons with just one button.  Lots of the tiny piping added here for detail, too.

 The bonnet was made using Simplicity Pattern #2908 but I changed it up a bit by adding a frill and another appliqued 3D flower on the inside of the brim instead of appliqued scallops.

 I made a pair of matching britches but I can't remember what pattern I used.

 The outfit looked just stunning on this beautiful baby girl.  The colors suited her so well.  Her grandmother reported that whenever she wore the ensemble she would 'stop traffic'!

Although it is still VERY hot and humid here in my part of Florida, the colors in this dress are making me think of cooler weather and the coming season.  It is also making me hungry for my husband's favorite pie, pumpkin!  I think I'll make one as a surprise for him today.

Something to ponder:

"Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity.

Be a lamp unto those who walk in darkness,

and a home to the stranger.

Be a breath of life on the body of humankind,

dew to the soil of the human heart,

and a fruit upon the tree of humility."

From a Baha'i Prayer for Peace

Smocked Baby Bonnet for Beckers

 Talented Charity of Say Grr Sewing recently had her third child, a beautiful baby girl nicknamed 'Beckers'.  Charity has amazed me with the how much sewing she accomplishes with two very little girls and now she has another little angel!  I believe God blesses young mothers with extra energy!

Charity's recent 'flip' for the Flip this Pattern Series at Frances Suzanne was truly creative, innovative, and beautiful and yet very wearable.  She made the dress look like a morning glory flower complete with a hand embroidered butterfly on the petal collar. Stunning!  Check it out HERE.

Charity is always so kind when she comments on my posts and I feel like I have gotten to know her a little through her blog.  I wanted to do a little something for the new baby so I made a smocked bonnet.  The fabric is Imperial Batiste with Cluny lace.  I smocked it with an adaptation of 'Genny' by Ellen McCarn.  I used the first five rows of Design I but I 'did my own thing' with the embroidery in the center of the cable rows. I love to smock but I love to embroider even more!

I checked my blog list this afternoon and found that Charity has posted photos of 'Beckers' in the bonnet I made her.  I can't tell you how touched I was to see those photos.  I don't often get to see the smocked baby things I make on real babies.  It was such a special surprise to see these pictures and so nice to know that Charity will use the bonnet and not just put it away.  I would rather something I made was worn to the point of being threadbare than put aside to save for 'the future'.  I feel that way about a lot of things, actually.  We use our linens and china, etc.  All we are sure of is today!

If you want to see how very sweet a smocked bonnet looks on a beautiful baby girl, check out Charity's post HERE.

Have a lovely evening!  Blessings, Karen