what Did you Sew on today #3 !!!
As the thread is getting quite lengthy and some time has passed I thought it would be nice to start up a new “What did you sew on today?” thread. Hope that’s OK.
Today and yesterday were a sewing blitz with the onset of Easter. All I have left on my Christening gown project is handwork. That was the signal to go full bore into DGD’s Easter outfit and DGS’s new Superman jammies. Yesterday I got her little dress cut. Today I did the piping and insertion of the smocking insert on the bodice as well as the Madeira hem on the skirt. This was my first attempt at a Madeira hem and seems to have come out rather nicely. Tomorrow I will face the Madera collar and hopefully get the dress pretty much put to bed. Then it will be on to SuperJammies!
What have the rest of you sewing Passionistas been working on in the last couple of days? Any Easter finery?
Replies
Is this going to be a 'daily diary'?
I think I will pop in when I can. I don't log in here everyday.
Where is "What did you Sew on today #2"??? I would like to read that.
I have finished reading the Original "What Did You Sew On Today". 82 Messages..Wow! Yes, A few were mine.
The post with the 82 messages is the second one. I am not sure where thie original post is or how it was titled. I only posted on each one once if my memory serves correctly so for me it is not a daily diary other than to enjoy reading it.
Thanks for clearing that up.
Cherrypops
If you have time to describe a Madiera hem, I'd love to know about it.
Hi, Josefly! A Madeira hem consists of a wide band of usually contrasting fabric. I used 5 1/2 inches on a size two dress. The band can be a simple "straight line" hem band, or scalloped, or like I did today, undulating waves. My band is white and the dress is pink. Where the band meets the skirt on the right side the connection is usually done with some sort of embellished stitching. I will be doing a machine pinstitch but many do a hand pinstitch or featherstitch. Often there is additional embroidery too. Its a classic, pretty look for a little girls dress. Another technique is to do the dress in a lightweight batiste or voile and do the hemband in the same fabric but by having a double thickness the dress gets this ethereal quality of a denser fabric in the band, but still the same fabric if that makes sense. That is very pretty on Christening gowns. It's pretty easy to do with todays wash away threads so I will definitely be trying this technique again. Thanks for asking.
Yes, I've seen it but didn't know the name for it. Thank you. Yours sounds beautiful, and I'd like to learn more about the application technique, especially for a wavy hem. I'm assuming you mean that the seam where the hem/band is attached is wavy. I'm below novice-rating as far as heirloom sewing is concerned.
Actually the bottom edge of the skirt is straight. Where the top of the white band meets the pink skirt, 5 inches up from the bottom edge, is where it is wavy. I taught myself to do this as I am in a rather isolated area up near the Canadian border. Between Australian Smocking and Embroidery and a couple of Sew Beautiful magazines I had the rudimentary info. This link showed me an easier way to do it with really great results. It's a rather interesting but very effective way of getting it done. If any care for more details, just PM me. http://www.everythingsewing.net/scollopedhem.htm
I've seen some beautiful usage of this technique but I don't think I'd ever heard what it was called. Thanks for the info.
Hi Solosmocker! Thank you for posting that link - very cool!
JT
What a great idea, using the water-soluble thread. Wish I'd thought of that! Thanks. I want to try your wavy line on some pillowcases for a wedding gift.
What a good idea. Yesterday I tried to sew a simple t-shirt after finishing a complicated jacket and a pair of pants. Well I stuffed it! It ended up in the rubbish tin. So today I am not sewing - I need more material.
Hi,
I just wanted to say I've enjoyed both of these threads. And, I really love the phrase "sewing Passionistas" - it's beautiful! I haven't sewn much of anything lately because I've been very ill (just got home from the hospital yesterday) but I'm hoping to start something simple soon.
Julie
Oh, I love the Madeira hem. It is so beautiful. What color is it? I need to be working on a dress for me, but haven't even started.
Marcy
Oops, I started reading the beginning post and see that you said the dress is pink and the band is white. Sorry about that.
Your dgd's dress sounds adorable! Your special gifts provide memories galore for your family! They are like "hugs" when you give them that last a lifetime.
Have fun with those superjamies. My youngest grandson is really likes special jammies too.
Edited 3/26/2007 11:33 am ET by MaryinColorado
I finished a hoodie for DS and made some nifty pattern weights with the scraps. These little things are so fun to play with :) I'm testing out a new type of thimble I picked up at Puyallup while I repair some beanbag chairs. Then I have a handbag to finish - it's crocheted, but needs to be lined and have the handles sewn in.
I admire all the lovely-sounding projects you ladies have going on!
Today, I cut out the Linen dress I've been procrastinating about. It's nice to see progress isn't it? Even if it's still just a pile of cut out pieces! -Twila
I have not done any sewing in the last couple of days (except for shortening some jeans for my granddaughter), because I sort of ODed on sewing in the last couple of weeks. Two years ago I made the Folkwear Kinsale Cloak for my daughter. She wanted it warm, so I lined it with a beautiful white fleece. The outer is a mossy green no-wale corduroy. But it was too heavy and too warm, and shocked her when she walked. So I took it ALL APART and put it away. Finally, this fall I got it out and re-lined it with a goldy/bronzy lining, did away with the hood (which is WAY to big and floppy). It is really pretty, but when I presented it to her, she loved it but asked if I could make slits for her hands to come out. I said NOOOOOO. So, long story short, I do not feel like sewing anything for a while. It is too frustrating when you put so much work (and $$$) into something and it is not right.
I can relate. Make something for yourself..... the selfish route always makes me feel better! :)!!
Once I made a Wedding Dress!! for a good friend. Spent all summer on it.... and she didn't like it in the end.... total bummer!
I can relate to your frustration. Non-Sewers just don't get it.
Like I said make something for yourself. You deserve it. -Twila
Just wanted you all to know that I just posted the dress with the Madiera hem and collar in the Gallery board. Finished it this afternoon by the skin of my teeth as we are leaving Wednesday for our Easter visit a couple of states away.
Have a wonderful trip! What a wonderful reward that you will get to see your family in person when you deliver the beautiful heirloom gift of love! Godspeed. Mary
Thanks so much, Mary. You have a blessed holiday as well.
Excuse me for butting in, but it sounds like a beautiful coat. People don't know how much work is put into the tiniest garments, much less a coat. It is amazing to me that you re-lined it, after all that work. You have to be very talented. Sew for yourself. You will appreciate it more.Marcy
Autumn, it sounds like it was "right" just not appreciated! It sounds beautiful! Maybe you should try to sell it if she doesn't care for it. I know how you feel, sometimes we really put our hearts into special projects and get them broken.
Don't give up lady! Why don't you make something special for yourself? You deserve it! Now go have some chocolate or treat yourself to something you love! Mary
Sherry, congrats on finishing your hoodie. Its always a good day when we complete someone.
Josefly, the hem is easy. I just finished pinstitching it so now can work on putting it all together.
Twila I love working with linen. Nothing like natural fibers.
Autumn, that cape sounds lovely. You basically made it twice. Now its time to sew for you. Pull some special fabric out of your stash and make something just for you.
Thanks for the encouragement. I often wonder why I don't make something for myself. Hmmmm. It is always for someone else. My son-in-law gave me a pile of nice hemp material and some patterns to make for him, and he keeps asking me about it. I'll get around to it some day.
Your address indicates that you are from Colorado. So am I, although I live in Oregon now because my daughter and 2 granddaughters are here.
Autumn--
Tell him you'll teach him to sew and he can make it himself! Hee hee. :)
That's why I don't sew for others except for VERY rare occasions - and I set the "rules" (such as - no cheap fabric). And once you start they'll never quit pestering you! I am sure the cloak was gorgeous and a credit to your good taste and talent. But yes, the Kinsale has that huge combo hood/cape thing. I like the idea but suspect the reality would irritate me eventually.
If you decide to indulge her again, there are currently patterns featuring the type of cape (with either sleevelets or slits) in the Vogue catalog, I know...probably others as well.
Go make yourself something fun and lovely to reward all that good behavior! :)
I visited Oregon when I was in my early 20's and have never forgotten my favorite state. I still daydream of living there.......we are looking around for retirement locale so you never know.
Spring break, so I finally have some time...couldn't find the fabric I had bought for a spring blouse, so I made a haircutter's drape, and cut and finished a new neckline on a tshirt that was choking me.
Inspired, I did all the topstitching on a twill jacket and polished off its handstitching in between thunderstorms. Think I'll take a break and then do the buttonholes/buttons tomorrow so that I can start wearing the jacket; otherwise, it'll languish for another year!
A new resolution to help me finish projects is not to log onto this forum until I've finished something!
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