Hi everyone,
Here I come again. I would love to do some Heirloom Sewing. Has anyone out there tried it? I guess you all have heard of Martha Pullen. Well, I have ordered the material and the needed supplies to make the “Vineyard Blouse” shown in the Sew Beautiful magazine – Issue No. 107 2006 shown on page 68. I puchased everything I needed to sew it. The instructions are in the magazine. I wish I had the opportunity to take Martha Pullen classes – but I live on the east coast. Her classes are further away from me. So – have any of you ventured into this type of sewing. Would love to hear from you. (I have so many projects in the works and on the back burner.) But, I would definitely like to do this blouse for the spring. Thanks.
Replies
I tape all of Martha Pullen shows as I also live too far to attend her classes. Purchase one of her DVD from her web site they are great. I learned how by watching her shows and DVD and I make a lot for my grandchildren. Good Luck
Cecelia
Hi - thank you. I was thinking of buying some of her DVD's in the near future. I also have learned a lot by watching Nancy Zieman DVD's. Do you do a lot of Heirloom Sewing?
I took three Martha Pullen classes from a certified M.P. instructor in Lethbridge, Alberta. It was arranged through the sewing machine store where I bought my machine. You should check with the stores in your area. I was a total novice but did O.K.. It was a lot of fun socially and I learned lots from the other, more experienced, students as well as the instructor. Each class is set up to teach you a new heirloom technique and they build on each other. We made a baby bonnet with lace insertion and entredeaux, then a linen table runner with celtic lace shaping and finally, a dupioni silk keepsake pouch with shaped lace and embroidery. I wasn't neccessarily interested in heirloom sewing as such, but the techniques can be applied in other areas. I don't own an embroidery machine, but the instructor did the machine embroidery I needed.
Hi - you are so lucky you were able to take some classes. I think I asked my sewing machine dealer about the classes, but I will ask again. They are more interested in keeping sewers invovled in Thimbleberrie quilting classes. I took some of those too, but I am expanding to other things.
I am happy with everything I have purchased from Martha's website, I also live too far away to go. I think the Viking's, especially Designer series, do the best heirloom sewing. She may have a certified instructor in your area, email her and they will let you know if there are classes in your area. The Sew Beautiful Club through the mag. ia well worth it, I learned alot by joining it. Allways free patterns and emb designs and instructions. Her videos are also great.
Hi Mary, Thank you for the info. o.k. - I will join the Martha Pullen Club too. It makes me happy that you say the Designer does good Heirloom Sewing. YEAH!
No comparison with those delicate perfect little stitches. The wing needles come in several sizes, use the finer threads and it looks great! I think an edge joining foot and some pintucking feet with the right sized double needles will soon be in order. Be sure to presteam or prewash the cotton laces so they don't shrink later. You are going to enjoy this I think.
I do heirloom sewing and love it. It is wonderful to work the lovely fabrics and laces. I second the need for an edge joining foot and a pintuck foot. I would be lost without those. Good luck in your endeavor.
Hi - thank you for your reply. I will definitely get to it in 2007. Janice
Yes, I believe too that you will enjoy learning 'the art' of heirloom sewing. I took a class several years ago from Martha Pullen when she came to OH. How I got into this form of sewing was as a result of expressing my frustration with my sewing after being away from it for a long period of time. A lady belonging to a forum I was associated with suggested I do this type of sewing where, 'no mistake is a permanent one' as with heirloom sewing the multitude of techniques allows you to cover your mistake and keep going and it will never be known to anyone but you the sewer.
As has been stated a host of techniques are presented at her seminars, and the socialization is great. A lot of women I met were repeaters and use their vacation time to come to Martha's sewing retreats!
Her magazine Sew Beautiful offers instructions on a variety of techniques too. Also, go to her website and look at some of her instructional/pattern books. There's a lot to be learned from these materials also.
Enjoy as I had a wonderful experience with this form of sewing for my first granddaughter.
Hi Wanda, Thank you for your reply too. Oh, how I wish I could go on a retreat. Maybe I can someday. I will get to it in 2007. Thanks again for all your info. Janice
Hi Mary, Thank you. I know I definitely will. I am trying to finish a few other projects first, but I will let you know when I do the Heirloom sewing. I am keeping notes who I talk to about what from this forum. It is so enjoyable. When I get around to it, I will post some pictures too. I just finished a Flower of the Month wall quilt from http://www.northcott.com and I am now working on a 5 Funky Monkey quilt for my newest grandson. I designed it. It is coming out cute. (I had also made him a Funky Monkey.) And, I have flannel shorts pajamas cut and ready to sew on a serger. Well, lots of other things in the works too. But, I do want to make the heirloom blouse for the spring so I better step on it.
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