Yes, I'm Still Sewing!

On the occasion when I have time to think, (such as when I was on a two week vacation to Michigan recently!) I remember when blogging and sewing up items for my etsy shop was quite often. Indeed, this summer has already proven to be quite busy, eventful, and productive however.

And yes, I am still sewing. :) I've been blessed to be able to work for/with the same local bridal alteration business as last summer. One of the biggest projects was working on a bridal gown (took it from a size 10 to a size 0), though the business owner did the major stuff while I worked on smaller details. There was a flower girl dress to alter, as well as four out of seven bridesmaid dresses; I did all of those.

I don't have any professional pictures for you yet, but here are a few small snapshots that I took along the way using my "new" iPhone. Yes, I have been using one of my Dad's first cellphone's (a flip phone, mind you) and I told myself that I was allowed to buy an iPhone when I graduated from college. Per typica of me, I bought a used iPhone 6s, but it was in next to new condition and a beautiful rose gold color. 

Oh yes, you're not here to read about technology...ahem.

The flower girl dress was darling! I took the picture more for myself to remember the company name for the future. :)

Love being surrounded by beautiful textures, fabrics, lace, and tulle!

I put this gorgeous lace on the hem to make it a smidgen longer, and it gave the dress an overall completed look. 

The bride wanted a custom veil (finger tip length) and once we made it using fine tulle netting and a hair comb, I added the lace appliques to an otherwise simple veil.

Outside of bridal sewing, I have two aprons to make for some friends of mine who are getting married this summer. One of them I'll be attending next month up in Maine (can't wait!!) and she's planning a coffee shop themed kitchen. The fabric I found for her will work perfectly. I'll post pictures when it's finished.

If you were hoping to read that I'd be making aprons for the shop, don't lose heart! I have three fabrics on my sewing table that were just cut into aprons this evening. I'd sneak in a little sewing yet this evening, but alas, I'm out of bias tape. Quite rare for someone who has made hundreds of aprons, isn't it?

Well, toodles for now and I hope to be back writing more often in the next few weeks!

A Thankyou Gift

Sewing for Mrs. L. this summer was such a blessing for me. The fun chit-chats, good conversations and fellowship, countless cups of coffee or iced tea, "bonus day," and her passing on her bridal sewing skills and expertise have left me so, so grateful. A card saying "thankyou" could not suffice.

Would it be flowers, a plant, or an apron? It seemed like an apron would be the most practical since flowers would die within a few days and even the choicest greenhouses have next to nothing nice this time of year in the way of something that would come back next year (unless one would want fall flowers).

Using an apron pattern from Sew Liberated has been my go-to for making aprons as gifts. It is a little bit more stylish and modern than what I make and sell for etsy, but still lots of fun with it being reversible. Mrs. L likes cheerful things, but without being to wild and crazy, so this fabric by Free Spirit of spring colors and birds seemed like a good choice for the one side.

The other side I used some fabric that might look familiar if you've seen this apron in the shop. It didn't have a name on the selvage, and almost seems vintage, but really high quality, if that makes sense. Mrs. L. likes the color blue, so it seemed like a good choice.

I was able to get the apron finished and wrapped up to give to her on my last day of sewing for her. Looking forward to next summer to hopefully be able to sew for her again! In the meantime, there is much to be done as I seek to organize my life before classes officially start on Wednesday.

As I Promised

In the last couple of posts I've eluded to "the last apron" and this morning I finished the last apron made for the shop. It was fun to put together with vintage lace and rick rack. I even found a golden button from my stash. It certainly has an autumn-ish flavor to it, one that you haven't seen yet this summer. :)

But think of the pumpkin spice lattes, the apple picking and fresh donuts at the local orchard, nippy weather for plaid scarves, boots for jumping through autumn rain, potted mums on the front porch, or the smell of pie in the oven. This apron seems to embody all of the delights of an autumn in the country.

See it in the shop here. And one last reminder that the coupon code 15SALE will expire at 5pm on the 25th (that is tomorrow) if you're wanting to place an order and save money at the same time! ::wink::

Accustomed to Tea

More often than not this summer, I've heard "Would you like some tea?" while sewing in the mid-afternoon. Mrs. L makes her own iced tea, and always sticks in a wedge of lime in it. Sometimes when we've needed the caffiene, she'll fix a pot of hot coffee and is always so kind to put a bit of cream in mine, no sugar.

Needless to say not only have I been spoiled, but have grown accustomed to having a little bit of a pick-me-up in the afternoon. This morning I already cold-brewed some of our favorite iced tea (Good Earth's Sweet & Spicy) so all I had to do was slice a lime from the fridge.

I'm home sewing today since wedding season has drastically slowed down in the last couple of weeks. On Monday I finished a custom-ordered apron, and I'm currently finishing one for the shop. Although it may not get listed today, since I am short about a foot of bias tape. There is one more fabric for an apron, and then that will be it for the rest of the summer.

Signing off for now...

Never in a Million Years

A couple of weeks ago, a friend from church called up and wondered if I could come over and help her sew. I knew that she was neck high in bridal alterations, but it didn't dawn on me just exactly what she might have me do until she handed me someone's wedding dress. Um, intimidation was THE understatement.

I can sew clothing, doll clothing, costumes, tote bags, aprons (duh!) and even did a quilt top way back when, but a wedding dress?? Very thankfully, my friend is the most patient person on the planet, and was satisfied with what I did for her. To confess, by the end of the day it was actually not to bad.

I've been able to help her every day this week, and if she keeps getting dresses, I'll be able to hopefully get more and more comfortable (and faster?) at something that I never dreamed of doing. Not in a million years! Lace, tulle, hems, trains and bustles. So very grateful to have the opportunity of learning.

But sewing here at home won't be neglected. Mom wants me to sew her up a jumper in the next couple of days, and I have some darling fabrics that I came across earlier this week that are just begging to be made into aprons. I already have the bias and vintage rick rack ready for them. Be on the lookout for them to appear in the shop, hopefully in the next week or so.

A Bit of Spring, Sewing, and Books

Since I've been home, I've spent a good part of my time outdoors and mostly in the morning hours while its still cool. Almost all of the roses are in bloom now (its so nice that they take over after the lilacs are done!) and we've been enjoy their many blossoms indoors, too. I'll save the introductions of some new English varieties for another day...

But I've also been enjoying the opportunity to sew again. The other day I was looking through old posts of aprons that I've sewn over the years and became really inspired. Not sure if it's a good or bad thing to be inspired by what you did a long time ago. Somehow I never tire of sewing aprons though. :) Just this morning I sewed up the above Tasha Tudor-inspired apron.

Before I came home from school last month, it was my plan to not read a single book this summer. Between heavy class work, and extra books to read (on top of heavy textbooks) I was DONE. Well, my resolve lasted for about a week. ;) To be fair though, it was a small vintage children's book by Anna Potter Wright called, "The Little Shepherd." It's such a sweet story and has several practical truths for grownup's, too! 

But speaking of books, I'm passing on these lovely Tasha Tudor books to anyone who loves her work, or simply is looking for some wholesome books for a child's library. They're both 1st editions from what I can tell, but they will easily go many more years of cherished reading.

You can find them in the shop this afternoon!

Back in the Sewing Room (with some Humble Pie)

Now that the vegetable garden is in, the flower beds are finished, and three new English roses found their way into my bench garden, I've had some time for sewing. I finished up another apron this week and will hopefully finish up a dress for my mom before Sunday. Once that is completed, I'm anxious to start on some vintage dresses from patterns that I bought last year. The plan is to make them for the shop, but I sort of fell in love with the designs and fabrics as I was cutting them out. We'll see.

With being home for the summer, I've been looking around for a summer job and the other day a lady from church told me of the local bridal shop that she works for and how they were looking for another seamstress. It sounded a bit daunting, but I got brave and went in to talk to the store owner. The conversation went like this (after introductions):

Owner: You are going to have to be extremely OCD with sewing, because brides can be super finicky about seams that are unseen. Every seam you sew will have to be checked by me for awhile.
Church friend: Oh, Cheri is a better seamstress than me. (She boosted my confidence when it was beginning to melt)
Owner: Can you do a roll hem?
Me: As in on a serger?
Owner: No, like this. (And then showed an example of a 1/8" hem on the edge of a satin wedding gown)
Me: Oh. No, I don't know how to do that.
Owner: Well, it's the one thing a seamstress must do if they work for me.
Owner: Have you done a bustle before?
(Me thinking dryly: never needed one before…haha!)

And then she proceeded on with other things, but it became rather clear that I am not skilled in areas needed to be a bridal seamstress/alteration person. It was humbling for me since I thought I knew how to do most things. Even though I've been mostly self-taught, I've been sewing for others and running a small online etsy shop for several years and while not perfect, 99.99% of my customers have been happy and have returned.

But it's all good. Some seamstresses are cut out to work in a bridal shop and some are for working in a small basement sewing room pulling out vintage patterns, fabrics, and trims.

And I like it.

One of the vintage dresses that I intended to make last year.

Queen Anne's Lace

 

 

The delicateness and old fashioned romance of Queen Anne's Lace takes me back to my childhood days of when it grew prevalently alongside the road or when I'd be stuck playing dolls with my friend while my older sister and her best friend would go out into the woods and neighboring fields to gather armfuls of wildflowers. (My friend and I were to young to go out rambling by ourselves.)

There is a bright and cheery green dotted swiss fabric on my sewing table that is waiting to be made up into an apron. I just need to look through my laces to find just the right piece to embellish the fabric to remind the wearer of the beauty of Queen Anne's Lace. Once it's sewn up, it will be placed into my poor neglected etsy shop.

Midnight Winter Apron

At long last, there is a new apron in this shop this afternoon. See for yourself!

It reminds me of the carol "In The Bleak Midwinter." I found a lovely youtube video of the 
Choir of Kings College in Cambridge singing this.

A Bit of Sewing

Between working 40 hour work weeks, sorting through stuff to bring with me to college, teaching violin lessons, enjoying what Anne Bronte wrote in Agnes Grey, "the threefold luxury of solitude, a book, and pleasant weather" and what-not, I have been to doing some sewing in little bits of time scattered here and there. The idea of sitting at the sewing machine for hours on end is no longer a reality, but a marvel. ;)

I used up the last bit of some cheerful yellow calico and used my Anthro apron as a pattern base. Instead of lace I used rick rack. It's up in the shop tonight. Oh, and there is just a little over a week to take advantage of the free state-side shipping! :)

Vintage sewing

The sewing bug has bit me. And in the unusual place of the 1940s and 50s. ;) It's rather odd, too, as those years are ones that I'm naturally fond of. Perhaps it was this dress I saw on etsy not to long ago:

What's also strange is that I'm not a polka dot person at all. 75% of my wardrobe is stripes and the rest is solid or woven to go with said striped items. ;) The dress is quite simple from what I can tell, with just a full aline skirt attached to the empire waist. Perhaps this will be included with my other tucked-away ideas for future reference.

In the mean time I really want to sew up that 1930s frock I posted about months ago. This 1930s dress I pinned on pinterest is sort of an inspiration for it.

Hmm. Polka dots again. Maybe they're starting to grow on me. Or maybe I'm just recovering from being bitten from the sewing bug. ;)

Thyme & Sewing

Someone needs to stop me from going to Trader Joe's. When I go there I end up bringing home a little herb plant! Yesterday they had some English Thyme and I just couldn't resist. It reminded me of the "Smash fires" that SmashBurger makes. Not that I've had them once or twice to know. ::winks:: Now I'll have to look for recipes to use it in. Does anyone have a favorite recipe that calls for it?

In the evenings I've been working on a custom apron for an etsy customer and (I think) blog reader. If so, you get a sneak peak! :) I'm using my 1930s's Ethel pattern that she requested, and as I've been making it I've wondered why I haven't done more of these; they are so much fun and such a comfy style.

And who could go wrong with an apron practically enveloped in vintage rick rack?

One Day, Three Aprons

Today was my day off this week (other than Sunday, which I always have off) and I decided to fire up the machines in the sewing room, pull out my apron patterns, grab the piles of fabric on my table, and start cutting out. My intention was to sew at least one apron for the shop today and leave the others for another day.

But as the saying goes, "there's no time like the present" I sat myself down and hardly got up all day. The radio was on and Charity (my Persian cat, if you're new to the blog) was sleeping on a quilt beside me, so I was in good company. Perhaps it helped spur me on by not stopping and to complete three aprons today. While I've done my share of sewing over the last 15 years, to my knowledge I have never completed three items from fabric yardage to garments in the space of one day. Here's the proof.

Now I'm off to fix a cup of tea and continue on in my newly-acquired vintage book of "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall."

Behold! She seweth!

After a three-month long break from sewing, the machines were up and running early this morning. I was hoping I'd remember how to thread the sewing machine, or sew in a straight line, or make something useful. ;)

Several months ago I spotted a sweet spring-like fabric that would make a lovely apron for the shop, but here we are on summer's eve and I only just finished it. Honesty prevailing, it really did feel good to feel the cotton fabric slip between my fingers, or aligning the vintage rick rack next to the other.

There are many more fabrics on my table that are calling my name, but if summer will be as busy as spring, I can't guarantee a shop full of aprons, but I'll do my best to do better than what I have been lately.

My friends, I present you with the apron I've called "The Tenderest of Spring" up in the shop today!

Back to sewing

Our family had a wonderful Christmas and we all ate way to much food. It was an amazement that I was able to fit into my Starbucks uniform after days of feasting on yummy things! ;P

While no progress has been made on my 1940s robe, I did pick up a fabric for a Tasha Tudor style apron. My shop has been sadly neglected and it needs more attention than my wardrobe needing another piece. I hope to pick up some more fabrics in the near future.

[Listening to a new CD while sewing...]

Keep your eye open for the apron in the shop tonight!

In Progress: a 1940s Marian Martin Housecoat

Lest you think I gave up on my vintage Vogue 1930s dress, let me assure you that I persevered and finished it yesterday afternoon. At last! :) It finished without a hitch. The details of the pattern is what makes the dress, otherwise it would be quite drab considering the solid fabric. In fact, my sister commented that the fabric looked Amish.

::ahem:: Not exactly the look I was going for!

I went with the vintage rhinestone-studded button from my stash (my camera refused to pick up its clarity, so I apologize). This way I can wear silver, black, or even pearled accessories with the dress if needed.

 



 

I can hardly wait to slip into it for photos! I have a few ideas in mine for a photoshoot, and if possible, I hope to make that happen this weekend if one of my siblings are willing to take the pictures. Stay tuned!

After I put away my pattern, teal threads, and whatnot, I pulled out my new-to-me 1940s housecoat pattern. If you've been a longtime reader, you may remember this long sleeved flannel robe I made from the same pattern (though a size smaller). My older sister now owns it, and apparently I sold it to her for $14. ::blink:: You can barely buy 2 yards of flannel for that price, let alone 5 yards!!

I'm making the short sleeved version this time around and shorting the skirt by a good 13" or so. Part of the reason is because of the vintage fabric I chose for it (an antique store find for $3) was measuring about 3 yards. But I thought it'd make an excellent robe/housecoat for spring, summer, and autumn wear.

I was hoping to use some vintage lace for the collar, sleeves, and pocket, but I didn't have enough of what I had on hand. My next consideration was white piping, but I don't have any on hand, so I chose some vintage rick rack. One can never go wrong with using it! ;) In fact, I think I almost like the idea of the subtle touch rather than a glaring white piping or lace.

Have a happy Thursday!

Christmas Reading (and an update on the 30s dress!)

Every year I look forward to reading a few of Kate Douglas Wiggin's books over the holiday season. I read about The Birds' Christmas Carol on a blog I follow, and then a friend confirmed that it was a really sweet story. Another book (not shown) is The Old Peabody Pew that is another endearing story of someone who holds onto hope and love. Romance of a Christmas Card has a similar story line of "coming home". For better written details, Lanier writes about them and a few other books that will provide the warm entertainment for your heart and mind this season.

 

Do you have any favorite books you always pull out to read at Christmastime?

 

In other news, progress is slowly being made on my 1930s Christmas dress. I'm glad I started it when I did since I've seemed to have several interruptions since then, and now Mother-Dear wants some sewing done, too.

 

There is an odd sort of gap so far that I'm not sure quite what to do with, but maybe when I get the facings and button sewn on it will help?

In Progress: 1930s Christmas Frock

After adding a couple new aprons to the shop over the weekend, I began on my 1930s Christmas dress with great excitement, but that quickly deflated. Perhaps it was after taking a good month off of sewing that I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing, but I was making mistake after mistake! And ones that I don't usually make, so it quickly escalated into a frustrating mess of fabric.

Before I shut down the sewing machines on Saturday, some progress was finally being made and below are a few testimonials of what was done:

I love the tucks in the back neck.

Arabella is kept in this corner of the sewing room, so please overlook the pile of shirts at the end of the ironing board! :) Sadly, I was just a little short on fabric, so there aren't the full amount of pleats in the front and back insets, but I think it will be okay.

Today I'm working on the front part of the dress, and if I feel ambitious (granted I have the time to do so!) I may attempt to finish it. Is anyone else making anything special for this coming Christmas season?

If you happen to be sewing today, you may enjoy this podcast by speaker Nancy Leigh DeMoss and a guest on creating a more meaningful holiday season. I'm listening to it right now as I type.

Burning the Midnight Oil

It has been FAR to long since I've made a Regency dress. It seems as if the dozens I made a few years back wore me out being "stuck" in that time period with limited other projects for variety. The fabric I'm using this week is perfect for a Regency dress. Pictures will most likely be up tomorrow or the following day.

Earlier today I sewed up a toile bodice of a 1940s Swing Dress. One of my sisters will be going to a Retro-Diner themed dinner at P4C2013 with Vision4Living Ministries later this fall, and I'm in charge of sewing up her dress. She chose a gorgeous fabric and I can hardly wait to cut into it! However we were both SO glad that the time was taken to sew a mockup. Not only did it help in knowing where alterations need to be done, but also a trial run through with a new-to-me pattern.

Sometime before I leave in the next couple weeks I have hopes in sewing a white Edwardian afternoon dress (similar to this one that I have regrets in selling!), but there is so much to be done that it may have to wait until next summer. One of these days a full set of "unmentionables" is on my "to-sew" list.

What are all my friends and blog readers working on this week?

What to do When it Rains

 

My stash of scrap fabric is overwhelmingly full. It's overflowing and piling quite high that I'm surprised the fabrics haven't fallen over. But what does one do when quilting is practically a foreign word to this seamstress? I even found a bag of organic cotton batting in the closet.

 

Cutting a few strips of some fabrics near the top of the pile, I cut 8 uniform ones and sewed four together making two squares. I used these as a pattern to cut out square pieces from some of that batting. Using the old standby of "right sides together," a few stitches, turning it right side out all I had to do was some top stitching and some fake "quilting lines," and out came a pot holder. 

It's not perfect. But I'm not worried. I mean, when was the last time you looked at your neighbors potholder to see how perfect it was?

Exactly my point.

I may make up a few more of these to take with me this fall when I set up housekeeping with a few of my college friends. They're easy and simple to make on a rainy morning, and not to mention useful.

The rain is gone and the first few lines of William Wordsworth's "Resolution and Independence" befit the afternoon:

There was a roaring in the wind all night;
The rain came heavily and fell in floods;
But now the sun is rising calm and bright;
The birds are singing in the distant woods;
Over his own sweet voice the Stock-dove broods;
The Jay makes answer as the Magpie chatters;
And all the air is filled with pleasant noise of waters.


All things that love the sun are out of doors;
The sky rejoices in the morning's birth;
The grass is bright with rain-drops;--on the moors
The hare is running races in her mirth;
And with her feet she from the plashy earth
Raises a mist, that, glittering in the sun,
Runs with her all the way, wherever she doth run.