High Society

Yesterday afternoon, a dear older woman who I have known ever since I was a little girl, who everbody in my family lovingly referrs to her as "Grandma Brown", picked me up from Grandma's house to spend the afternoon and evening with her.

For lunch she took me out to this delightful little cafe that serves lunch, desserts, and of course, tea.
Everything about the place was darling. Yes, even the menu. ::winks:: Goodness, I wonder how she knew that I love all things British/English?!

We had pumpkin soup and an apple slaw salad. I also chose to have tea with my meal. One has to have tea in a tea shop, right?! I was so tempted to order some crumpets too, but since I wasn't the one paying for my meal, I wanted to be careful with what I ordered.

The booths appeared to be old church pews or something. I had to take a picture. =)

Me outside of the tea shop. The buildings in the area were built in the mid-1800's.

Ah yes, and in other news, today I did a little fabric shopping. =) I got some really cute prints for aprons. And the details of these fabrics are going to be a secret for just a couple more weeks, and then you all can see them made into their finished products. I think you'll love them as much as I love the fabric!

The Apron Name with a Twist

Well, I know you all have been dying to know what name has been picked for my 1930/1940's apron design. Of course we had voting, and then pick-your-favorite-out-of-these-three thing, and they all tied. SO, what to do?! =)

A brilliant thought came to me. Why not let my Grandma break the tie who was born in that era, is lovingly fond of her era and speaks of it with a twinkle in her eye. So I asked her, and her favorite was:

Grace! =)

But then she said, "Or, you could name it Gracie." And when she said that, I thought that "Gracie" would fit this apron perfectly. I loved it! It sounds so much like that era, with sweetness and yet personality.

As a few of you have so kindly written to me (my apologies; I haven't had much time for writing notes of any kind!) in asking if I will be offering patterns of this apron design. The answer is yes, I hope to! At this point I am considering the option of selling them as paper patterns or an e-pattern that you can download right away.

Honestly, I don't know anything about going about either of the two options, so if you have any info, or perhaps a strong opinion for or against, I'd love to hear from you! =)

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And as for the other news that I wanted to share with you, I will be back home for a couple of weeks which means I'll be sewing up a storm of aprons for the shop! I will be returning to Michigan however, so there is only so much one can sew up in 2 or 3 weeks. =) If there is anything is specific that you're looking for, for yourself or as a gift, let me know and I'll do my best to meet your needs!

Stay Tuned...

Stay tuned for an announcement that you might like, as well as how we decided the name for the apron!

The art of Pie Making

Nobody can make a cherry pie like Grandma. Mama is always requesting one when we are together. Last night, her brother (my uncle) came into town for his job and will be spending a couple of days here. One of the first things he asked for, being a keen listener myself, was a cherry pie. =)

A few years ago I got her recipe, along with her pie crust recipe that turns out so perfectly delicious. This morning I was glad to have been able to learn a few more secrets and tips from her in the art of pie making.



Here is the top of her crust. Her mother, my great-grandmother, always did this design on the top of her pies. =) I had to take a picture of it, so I could attempt to do it back home.

She showed me how she does her edges too, which I'm so glad for. In times past, I'd just lay the top one on, and then press it down with my thumbs, but seeing what she does adds a step further to making it look so nice.

The masterpiece out of the oven. Getting hungry yet? =)

Grandma had some left over pie dough, so on a whim, she sliced up some apples, added sugar and spices...

She said, "Fold over the dough and patch it when you need it." Add a crumb topping and it's ready to go in the oven!

I'd take a picture of the finished result, but it's still in the oven ... and smelling oh so good!

Perhaps these pictures will be in inspiration for you to get into your kitchen and fix up a special treat or two for your family. Don't forget to don an apron! =)

1940's Apron name Finals

Thanks to a blog reader for reminding me about my apron-naming-project! So many wonderful names were submitted that it has been impossible for me to randomly choose one!

So we'll have one more poll. I have chosen three of my favorites, and so leave a comment with your #1 choice out of the three, and which ever name has the most votes will be the one used for selling the aprons and hopefully patterns too!

So what will the name for this design be?

Lillian?

Eleanor?

or Grace?

Only the person(s) who submitted the chosen name in this first post, will receive a free pattern if and when then are made.

The Shop is back open!

Since sewing is not on my agenda while I'm gone , I couldn't stand keeping my shop closed, empty, and forlorn. There has to be something "alive" you know, in the handicraft and creative part of me. So I activated the items again, but since I don't have possession of the items (except for the Musician Tote) you may want to read my shop announcement for shipping details.

Off to keep the musician part of me vibrant and alive by practicing violin... =) It's sort of like sewing, one just can't stay away from it (music)! I'm truly loving it!

Primitive Signs

Earlier this week I was delighted to hear from a long-time friend of mine, and she wrote a little note to say that she was opening up an etsy shop.

I tell you, this girl is really good at what she does! Their whole family of 14 children all have amazing gifts and talents for the Lord. Elizabeth is 16, I think (correct me if I'm wrong!) and she's been hand-painting signs and selling them for a couple of years now.

Each one is different, unique, and shall we say: just plain cute!

Take a look at her shop that is brimming full of these darling and affordable signs!

a Taste of Home

Today Grandma is baking a German Chocolate Cake for Grandpa Fred's birthday today. She didn't use a recipe from scratch or from my Great-grandmother's recipe box shown above, but I liked the way the two looked together.

Grandma said that the medal box and all the recipes inside can be mine. Whether that means now or someday, I'm not sure, but it gets me excited to see it packed full of family recipes and secrets. And take a look at the cute medal box! I love it, love it, love it!

And after returning home from being in Indiana for ten days, I did some ironing this morning. "Pressing off" as Grandma calls it, is fun when you use a toile covered ironing board!

Vintage finds in the ceder chest

Ahh... It's good to be unpacked and settled now. Clothes are hung up, things tucked away in a vintage dresser that my mom used as a little girl, the antique lamp that I just adored as a child (you see, you turn it on and off with a vintage looking key that clicks in a very special way). Grandma's home is definitely my home-away-from-home.
This morning we got on the topics of antiques, vintage items (you should see a gorgeous fur jacket that she has! It is "pinked" (did I spell that right?) so it would be of a expensive quality fur. A dear friend of hers gave it to her years ago, and it is in mint condition. Grandma said she wouldn't wear it since nobody wears furs anymore... ), and other fun topics.

She opened up her ceder chest that is at the foot of my bed that is packed full of table linens of embroidery, cross-stitch, crochet, lace. You S&S ladies would go NUTS. =D

We got on the subject of aprons (hmm, how would that happen...) from vintage patterns. And she went back to her closet and brought a bunch of her vintage patterns that she's had that she hasn't wanted to throw out. Of course I commended her for that. =)

She had a story to tell with several. The one below was one she used for my aunt's wedding in the 70's. I was intrigued by how slimming they looked, though the neckline could use a filler.

Grandma disappears again only to bring out the very dress she wore! The dress is made out of a beautiful mint green satin and the jacket out of a gorgeous lightweight dark green velvet. I asked if she used the size indicated on the pattern. And she did.

She let me slip it on, and I was amazed at how well it fit. She was (at the time) an inch or so shorter than me, and was a little bit bustier than I, but overall, it was a good fit. Grandma said that I could have it for recitals if I'd like! Of course I was elated! It may not be "really" vintage only having been made in the 70's, but to have something that my Grandma wore is special to me.

She even pulled out a half a dozen other patterns that she said that I can have! These two were my favorite out of the bunch. Love the dress with a collar that looks sorta 20's inspired, and that gingham smock/apron on the left!

I have a feeling you just may hear more about sewing that I had realized, as I was informed this morning that a lady who goes to Grandma's church is interested in having she or myself teach her daughter how to sew.

An explaination of sorts

As I alluded to the fact a couple months ago, I am now living with my grandmother in the midwest, and will be staying until the holidays.

Unlike a sister of mine who is currently staying out east, who took her sewing machine and serger with her, I kept things simple and only brought my tatting in the way of handicrafts and domestic arts. =)

So if you hear from me during my stay here, it will probably be on topics other than sewing like picking apples in the orchards, practicing violin (my main reason for being here is to study under someone in the area), a few pictures, and the like.

Until next time...

70's Wrap Apron

I think I'm addicted to making and wearing aprons...

I'm probably addicted to rick rack too...

I'll help you get addicted to aprons, by adding it to the shop...

Now aren't I nice? =P =)

The new design in an old-fashioned rose

This apron will be available later this afternoon.

You can still submit a name for this new design here at this post! I'll be accepting names for awhile. There are some great ones already suggested!

Name this apron!

Okay! I am tired of calling my aprons by their era. I think they need names for either my etsy listings or if I decided to produce patterns of them. We'll be having "a naming contest" for each of my aprons that I sell, and your more than welcome to recruit your blogging friends to help me out with this!

Three things to keep in mind:

1. This is a 1940's era apron (more pictures here and here) and so it should have a popular 40s era name

EDITED to add: It is also nearly indentical to a vintage 30's apron pattern, so popular 30's names are welcome too!

2. Leave your name idea in a comment and comment as much as you want with ideas

3. If the name that you picked is randomly chosen, you will receive a free pattern of the apron you named! (ie, if they end up getting produced!)

The very first reproduced one is here

Vintage McCalls 4663 - 70s Stripe Shirt

There are alot of 70's patterns out there that just look a little weird, but some of them are really cute, and I liked this pattern when I saw it on ebay awhile back. This week I finally got around to making a top from it.
I decided to use up the rest of my stripe material that was originally just going to be for totes. =) Since there wasn't enough for the long sleeves, I opted to use the shorter sleeves. Not wanting them as the pattern showed them, I shortened them some and added an elastic casing.

Over all, I like the pattern. I took in 2 inches on each side after I sewed it up ... it was so roomy it would have made a perfect full-trimester pregnancy shirt! =) It still is quite blousey in the middle of the shirt, so I'll probably add some fabric or ribbon ties in the back. Since the back has a gathered yoke like the front, I would think darts would look a little funny, maybe?

But I like it enough to put my Emmeline apron over it. My only issue then was that I had to make sure I didn't get it dirty when baking in the kitchen this morning! =)

I made some Apple Nut Muffins. They are pretty much the only muffins I make anymore; they're that good! All I do is add an apple (pared, peeled, and chopped of course) and some cinnamon to my favorite batter, and then make the topping of brown sugar, cinnamon and chopped walnuts.

An apron for Cheri

I finally have been able to sit down and make an apron from this Emmeline Apron pattern. When I first came across it a few months ago, I immediately bought a pattern. But with sewing things to sell, making an apron for myself was at the bottom of the list, even though I have been needing some due to parting with a few favorites recently that I have had for years.

This apron is completely reversible and the straps can be tied in the back or front; either way!

This apron will be too much fun to wear! The pattern instructions were right. I'm not going to want to take it off! =)

Just a quick reminder...

Ok, I won't say anything more of etsy for a long time, but thought that I'd make a quick reminder that I will be closing it up just while I'm away since I really don't want to take all those items with me.

And if I can do it, I'll be sewing up a couple aprons tomorrow to add; one 30's and one 50's. Keep your eye open for them. They are very cute fabrics with vintage rick rack and buttons.

1904 Girls Edwardian Tea Dress

I often keep my eye out for the American Girl dress patterns on ebay, and for the first time, I finally won one for a pretty good price. I'll still be searching for "Felicity" or "Kirsten" ones, but to get a "Samantha" one was fun.



So this week I dug out some tropical breeze fabric that was left over from my modest apparel business, made a few alterations, and finished it last night!

I want to make a green sash or get a green ribbon for the waist (rather than having a v'd belt as the pattern requires) but all I have currently is a piece of black ribbon, so for the pictures, I put it around the waist.

I even thought it would be lovely with an antique battenburg lace collar that I bought off of ebay years ago. The dress reminds me of something worn on Anne of Green Gables or the Road to Avonlea series. =)

So unless a reader absolutely has to have it, I am going to tuck it away for my own little girl someday if the Lord chooses to bless me with children. Yes, it may look very 80's style, but who knows by the time it's worn, perhaps the 80's style will be "in"! Regardless of styles and current fashions though, I just adore old-fashioned little girls clothing!

::grins:: Just one more tote bag

Okay, I promise that this is the last tote bag you'll see for awhile. =) I was inspired to make a "Musician's Tote Bag" for my friend, who will also be my violin teacher while I'm in MI.

Using brown corduroy and some more Heather Bailey fabrics, here is what it looks like:

It has the same button & ribbon closure, and instead of using vintage rick-rack on this one, I used a band of some left over fabric from my tote:

Up close detail

Sure hope she doesn't mind jelly beans. The inside is lined with jelly bean fabric! Maybe it will make her smile as it does me.

In Need of Tea

"Mrs Bunting! We are in desperate need of tea!"

quoting Mrs. Palmer from the 1995 version of Sense & Sensibility,

Eleanor and Marianne above after arriving to the Palmers estate

It has been a delightful few days for us as late with what some would refer to as "gloomy weather" of dark clouds and much rain, but I thoroughly enjoy it! Instead of sewing, I have kept myself busy around the house and this morning made some English Muffins.

One of my brothers (he'd be a perfect Englishman!) comes up to me, and says, "...We are in desperate need of tea!" He shares my delight and enthusiasm for English things, accents, and teas. I think I'll go put some water on the stove. Would anyone else like to join us? =)

The Musican Tote Bag - Revisited

Does anyone remember my first attempt at making this "Musician Tote Bag" this past spring? I really liked it except for two things: the really long shoulder strap and the ribbon loop closure that seemed a little ... wacky, maybe?

For a long time now, I have admired this messenger bag pattern, but have never been quite willing to spend $12 for a pattern that I could design myself. So with that thought, I started thinking more, and cutting into fabric,

and wala!!

The inside is just one big pocket to hold many books, with room for lots more!

The front pockets hold my metronome, music flashcards, and other things perfectly!

I love the easy front closure of just wrapping a ribbon around a button. I also LOVE the Heather Bailey fabrics combined with a brown twill. Mmm, just perfectly suited for each other!

Oh yes, and the shoulder strap is a perfect length. I have a feeling that this thing is going to go with me everywhere from now on! =)

Another Regency dress

I was planning on sewing & selling another Regency dress before I leave in a couple of weeks, but the more I cut into this fabric, the more I am convinced that I cannot sell it. ::wink::

It's being made using the Elegant Ladies Closet pattern from Sense & Sensibility. Earlier this year I had in mind to make Marianne's picnic outfit and made the peach robe; pictures here and here, and though I've had the white sheer voile fabric, it hasn't been until now that I've pulled it out of my stash to start working on it.

It's not even all the way cut out yet, and am I 99% sure that it will be a keeper. As much as I can, I'm going to attempt to do french seams on the inside instead of a serger, and hand sew all the outer (visible) seams. As much as I dislike handsewing, I think it would be worth it in the long run.

My apologies to anyone who was secretly wishing for it themselves. =)

Slate Blue Cotton Regency dress

I can't remember the last time I made a Regency dress. It is always a good feeling to finish one. Whether it is a beginner or an experienced seamstress sewing one, they always have an air of gracefulness and femininity about them.

I especially like the vintage buttons on this one. They almost match the fabric perfectly!

Want to see more pictures?

One more peasant shirt...

As I was falling in love with this peasant shirt while sewing it today, I held it up against me and asked one of my sisters how it would look. She made a face and said that it looked as though death had warmed over me.

To bad. I loved the way it looked with my thrifted J. Jill skirt.

So it is up in the shop this evening.

Also though, ending Saturday morning, I'm going to offer to all my blog readers a 10% discount off anything in the shop. Just send "a conversation" through etsy to let me know if you have your eye on any particular item(s).

Oh yes, and here is a sneak peak of the Regency dress that I'm currently working on to sell:

Almost done!

Well, I wish I could say that I finished the sundress Saturday night, but I didn't. I didn't have another covered-button-thingy, I learned after sewing half of the bias to the sash that I am about 5" short, and I didn't do the hem.
But that is what it looks like so far. =) Erin came to my rescue and let me have one of her unused covered buttons, so I could sew the buttons on now, and the skirt has been draping for well over 24 hours (I recently learned that sometimes it's good to let flared skirts hang before finishing them? For easier hemming or something?). And so far I haven't been able to get out and buy red bias, so it will have to wait a day or two until it is completed.

I'm curious how the original front looks like, but I made an insert that I slip-stitched to the white cotton lining inside. So even though the buttons could be working buttons, they won't be. That's what I have the zipper in the back for. =)

Busy, Busy!

Despite my lack of appearance on the blog, I have been sewing. I figured you all wouldn't want updates for every and every item that I add to my etsy shop, and so while I added an apron and 3 peasant shirts I decided to remain silent. =) Other than an occasional apron or two to be added, I will probably be done sewing for the shop for awhile.

Right now I am working on my sundress. I made a muslin (ie, a test bodice), made some alterations to it, and have cut into my fabric. Just yesterday I picked up the needed red essentials for it and this morning I have been trying to figure out how to draft the skirt. I'm using several patterns as a "base" and then will go from there. Hopefully by this evening it will be completed, that is, provided I have no interruptions and decide to not watch Jane Eyre for the 3rd or 4th time this week. (I just love Jane's simple gowns! I'm guessing the era is 1850's or thereabouts?)

I can hardly wait to get back into Regency sewing. I miss doing some historically inspired clothing and have some fun ideas up my sleeve that I'd like to try before I go back to MI. Try to imagine no sewing machine for 3 months and then you'll understand why I'm in the sewing room quite frequently these days! =)