The Sew Sew Sisterhood

Sew Sew's having fun.  I am taking the picture and one lady was in Italy.

I belong to a little sewing group that was started way long ago when we were still young (relatively speaking).  We each remember the beginning a little differently but for me, it was  an-off shoot of those of us who got together to pleat premie bonnets and have lunch at my house.  We thought it would be fun to get together and just sew what ever we were working on!

 

Lorraine B. hosted this Sew Sew's.  You will recognize Lorraine by her SAGA ribbons!

We decided there would be no more than 8 members because that was the most we could seat at our table for lunch. We always have sharing and it's fun to see what others have done.

 

Lorraine B. made this bib from my new pattern "Baby's Sacque,Wrapper and 50 Embroidery Designs".

More lovely bibs by Lorraine.

Lorraine P. shared her new Grandaughter!  Cute! 

Notice she is wearing the "T-Yoke Gown" from my pattern, made by Grandma.

Lorraine is wild about fagoting!  The bib and yoke feature this lovely stitch.

Carole is all about doing the unbelievably tiny petite point for her Grandaughter's Doll House!

Diane was crocheting a Baby Blanket.

Someone was working on a Jan K. bear.

Jennie was working on a yoke for a Christening Gown.  Jennie likes to sew baby clothes by hand.

See the tiny Hemstitching used to attach the lace.  Lucky Baby!! 

 

A pretty dress for her new Grandaughter.

Lorraine P. is sewing Lace Edging to the hem of my pattern "Emma's Smocked Baby Dresses".

I was working on a Wee Care gown which I forgot to Photo so had to take the picture at home.

 

I decided to leave off the vines around the Cross (from my Embroidery Book) but need to wash away the blue marks.  I am going to add lace to the hem.

Drying my Linens

Since moving house, I have yet to get a 'real' closeline!

Today I boiled some of my linens!  Yes, on the stove.  I put some mild detergent in a big pot and brought it to a boil and put in the linens.  I used the handle of a wooden spoon to smush them into the water.  They boiled for 15 minutes.  And most of the old stains came out!

Heritage (David Austin rose)  is one of the rose bushes you see behind the linens. 

Abraham Darby (also David Austin) is the bush on the left.

November in Baton Rouge is wonderful.  My roses love the cooler weather and so do I!

Gallery of Priscilla Daygowns

Priscilla Daygowns

I am displaying Priscilla Daygowns and  I would love to display Yours!  It can be any view.

Email me a picture of your Priscilla Daygown, include your first name. Send to: jbaumeister@cox.net

Original gown  (View 1) by Maude for Baby Priscilla. 

 

Christmas Daygown for a Christmas Baby by Jeannie B.

 Priscilla View 2 by Belinda in soft pink fabric.

Close up of Embroidery on Belinda's Priscilla.

A Happy Blue Dress

Emma's Smocked Baby Dress (Classic View) in cute old fashioned cotton print.  Made by Belinda.
Belinda smocked it using Anchor Floss: Blue 130, Pink 73 and Green 875

There is nothing as sweet as Old Fashioned!! 

Back View of Emma's Smocked Baby Dresses in happy blue fabric. 

The Back of this dress is so "Baby" with the cute tucks!

I love the back!  I am already thinking about a design for Baby with the tucks in the front of the dress!

 

A Louisiana Saturday

What are all these people standing in line for at 9am on Saturday morning?

The line forms to the left and goes to the door!

Cafe au Late and Beignets at Coffee Call

Coffee with milk and French Donuts.  It's fun to see them replenish the despenser.  They pour in equal  amount of coffee and warm whole milk at the same time.  You can see them dishing up Beignets.

If you visit Baton Rouge, come to Coffee Call!!

 

The Beignets are covered in powered sugar!   Here is a double serving of "Fingers".  They are quick and easy to eat.

A table full of children on their third plate!  Love those Beignets!

Today is game day!!

All Sugered up and ready to go!

Lesson on The Running Stitch

The Running Stitch is a simple little stitch that was commonly used to finish the hem of a daygown.  It is the way I finished the hem of the Priscilla Daygown.  It would not be used for hems of older children. It is made by weaving (or running) a needle in and out of the fabric several times before pulling the thread through.  Stitches for the hem should be small and even.  Use an 11 Sharps needle and white  DMC # 50 thread.

Click on Photos to Enlarge.

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Dark thread has been used for demonstration purposes.

Begin the stitch with a tiny knot or back stitch hidden in the hem.

 

To work the stitch, hold the fabric over your hand to keep tension on the fabric.

Run the thread through the fabric several times and then pull it through. Stitch through all the layers of fabric in the hem.

Use a thimble to push the needle through the fabric for quicker results and to protect your finger.

Be sure to smooth the fabric out after each set of stitches to keep it smooth.

Be sure to keep the stitches nice and even.  Smooth the fabric so stitches don't pucker in your hem.

Hems where the running stitch was used to bring out the color of the blue appliqued hem. 

When worked with two or three strands of embroidery floss, it makes a nice and easy embroidery stitch.  The more strands of floss used, the farther apart your stitches will be.

Lesson 8: Finishing Priscilla Daygown/Hem and Buttons

Time to Finish this Daygown!! All that is left to complete the Priscilla Daygown is the hem and buttons.  Follow the directions for View 2,  Step 5  for Finishing.

Sew on the Buttons

Sew the top button on first.

 The buttons must be lined up exactly with the button holes.  To help me to do this, I sew on the first button, then stretch the front facings out flat and mark the remaining button holes.

I am using a fine line, wash out fabric marker.

Line up the buttonhole accurately and mark in the center. Notice I have sewn the button on using the same red thread used in the embroidery design.

Hem

Turn up the raw edge of hem 1/8" and straight stitch (L3.0 or 3.5)along the fold. 

For the Hem, first turn up the raw edge of the hem and stitch.  This will be used to pull up the fullness in the hem so it will lie flat.

Turn the hem up 3".

Pin at the center back, the side seams and both sides of the front.

 Make sure the two sides of the front are even. 

Pull up the gathering thread and pin the hem in place.

Stitch the hem in place by hand, using the running stitch, removing pins as you stitch.

When complete, soak the daygown in COLD water - no soap!

The blue Wash out fabric markers have a chemical in them that is not removed just by wetting the fabric. The blue line might go away (it often returns when you press) but the chemical is still in your fabric.  Do not use anything but cold water, and not soap to soak them out.  Then you can wash as you please.

For embellishment, I have used designs from Jeannie B's Embroidery Book. 

I have taken a design from page 22 to embroider between the top 2 buttons. Instead of a Rose, I embroidered French Knot,  Red Berries.  I used two strands of floss and wrapped twice. Suitable embroidery designs are included in the pattern also.  I used the Holly and Berry's on page 29 for each side of the lower hem.  The Holly is Shadow Embroidered but would look cute as the Outline, Chain or Back Stitch!

We Are All Done!

Now that I have completed one series of Lessons about sewing a raglan Baby Daygown I am curious if anyone is:
1.  Inspired to make one themselves.
2.  Finding this information useful.
Please either leave a comment or email me.  I need to decide if I should continue my Lessons.  Let me know  what you think about my lessons.