A Little Bit of Embroidery

(topic: embroidery, designs)

Dear friends,

Recently I got my mother a dishtowel as a gift, but when she unpacked it, realized it was twice the size she usually uses! Easy to fix: most of the towel was blank, so I just cut it in half, and hemmed the edges. Voilá: the part with the design is now on a towel of the right size, and now I'm in possession of a blank tea towel! It took very little time for me to realize that the blank towel was, in fact, a blank... well... not technically a canvas! I decided to make a matching design.

Here's the original design, printed on the towel:

Step one: trace the design from the original towel to the blank one, using a light box. Here's the traced design, in blue fabric chalk, with the beginnings of my backstitch outline.

And here it is, with more done (bad lighting, sorry):

Now we're getting close! I've done all the outlines, all of the stitches in both the shades of yellow I chose - this includes the stripes of the bee (satin stitch). Also, I've now done both shades of green, plus the blue/gray buds, which are worked in french knots.

And, done! I'm really happy with this:

The back of the work is pretty tidy, and yes, I do knot my thread, and here's why: If I were going to frame and display this, or use it in something where the back is hidden, I would want a smooth finish, so I would take time to hide longer tails, and depend on friction to keep them from working loose. But for a tea towel, which will be used for drying dishes, and which will go through the laundry, I need to make sure that the threads are firmly anchored and will not come loose with a tug. So, knots. They are small, and fairly buried, and like I said, I keep the back neat so that it looks ok since it's not hidden. I'm really pleased with how it came out, and especially since it's been several years since I've done embroidery.


Yours,

Sarah

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Pookie's BooBoo

 Hi Friends,

I would like to share something with you. A few months ago I PANICKED. I found a place on Pookie's face, not even at a seam, where there was a tear in his fur (probably a run from when they placed his eyes).

Now, as you know from reading this blog, I am a reasonably competent seamstress, and I have done quilting, embroidery, sewing, and many related tasks (including household mending), for many years. On a factual level, I should have found this challenge rather simple and unassuming.

However, it was not just a factual case.

This is an emotional case.

Pookie is not, factually, my son - but, in many ways, he is Charlie's proxy. When discovering this tear (I have the feeling it had been a long day, but don't remember for sure), I had an honest, I-can't-breathe panic attack. I'd like to think, based on my experience with my siblings and baby sitting for others, that I would not panic over something equivalent to a bump or a scratch, easily bandaged and cared for.

But Pookie won't heal on his own from a little scratch, and I couldn't even figure out how it had happened. Possibly while I brushed him after a bath? And the bath had him smelling wrong, too... And with Pookie, there is all the emotional background from Charlie, too, and I felt I'd let Pookie and Charlie down in so many ways. I felt I'd "ruined" Pookie. I sobbed and sobbed, and was inconsolable for a long time. I don't even know how to explain the layers of fear and guilt, not keeping him safe, wanting him not to be hurt, wanting him to be fixed... and underneath, not even knowing which "him" I was talking about...

Hubby had the presence of mind to realize where I was emotionally, give me lots of hugs, and essentially forbade me from fixing Pookie that night, knowing that I am far more likely to make mistakes (and make things worse) when overwrought.

As it was, in the morning's light, I could see that he was not irreparable, and yet I needed to work myself up to actually fixing him. I had discovered the wound before Christmas. I took the materials with me over our Christmas trip, but didn't bring myself to doing it there or in the car in either direction. I was honestly very worried that I would make it worse, and some part of me was also worried that I would hurt him.

I had found the perfect pale blue shade of embroidery floss, and at some point, I steeled my nerves and went for it...

The close up at the beginning of this post is where the tear is (not horribly visible, since both his fur and stuffing are a very light shade). Also, I think this picture might be post mending, but honestly, I don't remember for sure and can't tell... Funnily enough as I write this, I could have sworn it was near the other eye. And, if this is post-mend, it's even possible I put the circle below in the wrong place, but I added that to the picture right after it happened... By the time the tear was mended, it was actually invisible and nearly impossible to feel, too. Much better than I could ever have hoped for, actually.

I was very proud, when I told Hubby the results that evening. And Pookie got lots and hugs and kisses, too.

Wearing a sticker, for doing well while getting stitches!!!

It was hard. It was scary. It brought up so many emotions. I don't know if I have a point or a conclusion to this story, but wanted to share how sometimes I get surprised by the intensity of my grief, and yet somehow, manage.

Yours,

Sarah

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Valentine's Day Baby Blanket

Valentine's Day Baby Blanket

For donation

Last week, I finished this baby blanket I've been working on since Christmas. Planning ahead, I knew that Valentine's Day is the next holiday that many people do, so I picked out a red and a white acrylic yarn that was soft and pretty.

The pattern is simple (and I made it up as I went along). Knit for a while in stockinette, make a small stripe of the other color, make a section that is the opposite of stockinette, with all the purl bumps toward the front, go back to stockinette, and right before the half way, do a stripe of the opposite color. Then, switch main colors and finish by reversing all of that! I also made the hearts by purling those sections in a heart shape, then stitching around the edge as a surface embroidery so the hearts would stand out. Then I crocheted a picot edging around it, using opposite colors.

Here it is being shown at my knitting group. Then it will be taken to the NICU for the little ones who need some extra warm snuggles.

Yours, Sarah


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 Resource list: www.tinyurl.com/infantloss

Forget-Me-Not

Hi Esteemed Friends!

As you may have noticed, I promised the other half of the t-shirt project, and I'm still not done with it... That's because I have a minor hand tendonitis flaring up that I don't want to aggravate, so I used the chance to have my sewing machines serviced. So, several projects have been put on a temporary pause.

However, I discovered that I can still hold an embroidery hoop with the affected hand! So here's the current project.

Garment Project Data:
- Type: Ribbon Embroidered Bookmark
- Date made: October 2016
- Pattern: By Angela Dower, from "A-Z of Ribbon Embroidery" from Search Press Classics.
- Fabric/Materials: Lace-edged bookmark in 18-count Aida (bought with the edging attached). 1/4" polyester ribbon. Cotton Embroidery floss.
- Trim: See above
- Time to finish: One afternoon


This book was on the "new book" shelf at the library, and when I was looking through it, this pattern jumped out at me. I have a friend for whom Forget-Me-Nots are meaningful, so I am doing it for that friend.

The book specified a 4mm-wide silk ribbon and silk embroidery floss. I found silk ribbon to be difficult to obtain, and also it's hard to find ribbon that width, so I'm doing the pattern in 6mm (1/4") ribbon, and it's poly because that was accessible locally. Additionally, I have all the DMC embroidery floss colors in cotton and am on somewhat of a budget right now, so the less I was buying new for this project, the better. I think it turned out ok!

The book itself!

And the back, for those of you who want the isbn :)

The specific instructions. I noticed it wasn't very specific about how to do it (just a basic stitch chart) and it wasn't the clearest instruction ever.

In progress! It's coming along nicely. My petals and leaves have a bit of a stiffer look because I used regular ribbons instead of a nice soft silk, but it still is coming out super pretty!

 

Final result. Apologies for the binder clip: I covered the initials I embroidered. Privacy! I'm very very pleased with how it turned out!

Most sincerely yours,
~ Sarah

Butter-colored ballgown

Hello, friends!

A few weeks ago, I got the notion in my head that I might want to sew a ballgown soon - in fact, I didn't want to fix the cotton dance dress I have, so I was thinking of trying to complete the dress by Remembrance Day weekend (November 22nd-24th).

However, I was not sure if I'd have the chance to get silk, so I even was considering using something less ideal from one of the big box stores, which would also mean that I would not panic if I had some trouble with fittings.

As it turned out, though, I was able to move things along much more quickly! The pictures will show you how it went!

Garment Data:
- Type: Civil War ballgown
- Date made: November 21st, 2013
- Pattern: Self-drafted, with assistance
- Fabric: Silk, with pre-embroidered flowers
- Trim: Self-fabric piping
- Time to finish: one week! (or approximately 40-50 hours of work)
- Notes:

On November 11th, I was able to purchase some silk (and some lawn!). You can see both colors of silk I bought (a bit of a splurge, but I'll use it all! Not a waste!).

Left-to-Right: A butter-yellow silk with embroidery of red cherry blossoms, a green silk "plaid" with gold and a bit of teal, and sheer white cotton lawn.

A close-up of the butter silk

I decided to use the butter-yellow silk first - it really spoke to me, and I started to picture it as a gown right away! There was also enough of a separate piece of yellow silk that was plain (no embroidery), to use for a bodice.

I had a chance to get help making the bodice pattern! Karen Mynes offered to help me out, so we spent the evening of Friday the 15th of November pinning and cutting until we had a muslin mock-up that I could cut apart and turn into a pattern!

So I consider the 15th to be the day I started the dress :)

This is the muslin ballgown bodice, cut open (not quite all the way yet).

My prep table (which actually also happens to be a sewing machine table, that opens up to the side and the machine flips up from within. Once I replace the drive band, it will be usable!). By the end, this table was a lot more full and cluttered!

The ballgown bodice muslin pattern, completely cut apart.

We actually had a chance to pin a muslin mock-up for a day dress bodice, too!

And the day bodice, cut apart and ready to trace. I'll post more pictures of it, once I actually use it. The plan is actually to make a second bodice for the ballgown! This will turn it into a day dress, depending on which bodice I wear, which makes the dress as a whole far more versatile. I have enough of the plain yellow silk to make this matching bodice, high neckline, long sleeves, and all!

A close-up of the muslin ballgown bodice front. Karen was drawing directly on the muslin (which feels really weird when you are pinned into it!). I would never have been able to do a bodice pattern as quickly, nor as well fitted, without her help!

All the pattern pieces, traced on to my pattern paper (actually, priority mail envelopes! A tip from Karen). Left-to-Right: Day Bodice front, Day Bodice back, Ballgown Bodice front, Ballgown side back, Ballgown back.

Laying out the pattern on the plain silk.

The pieces now cut out in silk and in muslin (for the lining) and pinned together for flat-lining.

A few steps later: all pieces sewn or pinned together, the darts pinned. This is the magic moment when it goes from being flat pieces to being an actual garment!

Bodice, from the back. Still a lot to do!

Bodice from the front.

Pleating the skirt (inside-out). I ended up doing 2 inch knife pleats all the way around (though if I ever end up re-doing it, I would go for directional knife pleats left and right, with box pleats front and back center). I had originally contemplated putting the embroidery running vertically, with large box pleats to showcase the embroidery, but yielded to good judgement and went with the horizontal look (which is also evident in historical pieces and photographs).

  

Waistband pinned, waiting for basting and for the hem facing around the bottom (for weight and protection).

Close-up of the waistband (right-side out).

The skirt, over the hoop.

All the bits pinned together, but no closures sewn in yet, no sleeves yet, no hem facing yet.... my "last two days" sewing list was quite long!!! Long hours were spent sewing, every night!

Everything pinned, first fitting, front.

Everything pinned, first fitting, back.
I finished the very last things on the night of Thursday the 21st.

At the ball!

The dress worked well, though I noticed a few very small adjustments I'll be making...

I may change the neckline still, too... I feel like it could be farther out on my shoulders. At least, maybe the next time I use the pattern.

And, last but not least, the dress in its native habitat!!!

So it took a lot of effort, but I think, for my first ballgown, it turned out fabulously! It took me 6 days of really intense effort, 6 or 8 hours a day, but I'm really happy with it! I'll still do the day bodice for the dress as well. I can't wait till the next dress I sew!

Most sincerely yours,
~ Sarah

Remembrance Day, Gettysburg

Well, Ladies and Gents!

This week was most auspicious. On November 19th, 1863, President Lincoln spoke a few words (after the main speaker had given a speech of nearly 2 hours, I believe!). His very short address became famous, and one of the weekends near the anniversary of his speech has become a recurring event, with ceremonies, speeches, parades, and, most importantly, balls! (I jest - and yet, I found the balls to be perhaps the funnest - if not the most important - part of the day!).

Though some events happen already on Friday, I was not able to leave home early enough to participate in these (such as Friday night balls, nor much downtown shopping).
Instead, I got to the area quite late, after a dark and rainy (and somewhat foggy) drive. The night clerk and I got to chatting, and she expressed an interest in seeing my ballgown! I promised to stop by the desk the next night on my way in from the ball to show her. :)


The next day, Saturday, November 23rd, 2013 - the year being exactly 150 years after the original event, and thus quite significant - was a full one:
At first a ceremony, then a parade, another ceremony, then the ball!
And what would a post be without pictures?

Friday night: the hotel closet full of ironed and prepped clothes for the next morning!

Saturday morning, early: A sailor, standing outside the hotel. Later, I saw a whole unit of sailors and marines marching in the parade.

Yes, that is Sgt Schulz, from Hogan's Heroes. Odd, but fun - the first reenactor I speak to on Saturday, and he's from the wrong century!

Of course, I got no pictures of the first ceremony - oops! It was at a monument, and included wreath-laying to honor the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic - a union veteran's group), among others. It included a truly phenomenal delivery of the Gettysburg Address by a Lincoln reenactor! On the downside, it was frightfully cold, as a biting wind came shearing across the fields.
LINK: Pictures of the Woolson's Monument Ceremony (I'm in picture #7! A clue: my bonnet has green ribbon ties)

The parade line-up. These are the ladies who graciously allowed me to walk with their group!

The ladies' groups lining up behind us. The parade was quite long!

The parade ended up being quite long. I didn't see all of it, though I watched a bit of what had been behind us, once we got to the end. It was an impressive show!
LINK: A video of the parade. I'm in minute 6:43.

A view of the "Hands Over the Wall" ceremony (100th anniversary).

Mr. Allen Loew, who graciously accompanied me to the ball later on.

Another view of the reenactors lined up for the "Hands Over the Wall"

At the ball!

Another view of the new ballgown (another post to follow, about how I made the dress!)

At the break between dinner and the dance, as they cleared the ballroom of the tables.

And a view of my hairstyle (there were also ringlets coming down from it, but apparently the camera slipped upward - I didn't get a good picture of them!)

And last but not least, me on the floor, dancing in my new dress!

LINK: I show up in photo 120 on this photo website!
All in all, it was a fabulous weekend! The drive home was slow and snowy, but smooth going, and I'm very glad I went. I'm already looking forward to next year!

Most sincerely yours,
~ Sarah