Fine Heirloom Sewing, Smocking and Hand Embroidery

"Baby will be well and smiling in little garments made by Mother, Auntie, Grannie and loving friends!"

Please join me as I teach the old fashioned techniques and skills needed to sew baby clothes. You will find lessons that start at the very beginning and take you step by step as we sew little baby clothes together. May you find much joy and pleasure in making them.
It's easy and it's fun!!

Visit My Heirloom Sewing Webshop www.oldfashionedbaby.com




Friday, August 27

Daygown Sew Along - Lesson Five

Follow your embroidery instructions on your pattern and refer to your embroidery design.
We are going to Embroider View  2 of  OFB Embroidered Raglan Daygowns.

Good Morning!!  Today we will stitch the Embroidery.  You can embroider the top only or the top and the hem design.  You will need either 10 Sharp or Crewel needles.  And your embroidery floss. Use one strand of embroidery floss.  I am stitching tone on tone.  I think the look is elegant.  It does not show up as much as would a color that is different than your fabric.  You might decide to use a different color.  If you are a beginner, tone on tone doesn't show up your mistakes as much!  This is all a personal decision (the hardest part).  Sometime I really am not sure until I start embroidering with a certain color, so you might want to start on a fabric scrap to see how you like it.

I don't use a hoop on any of the embroidery stitches we are working today.  If you like to use a hoop , that is fine to do.  However, you need to work your project a little differently.  You would need to draw your pattern onto your fabric (along with your embroidery design) in the beginning instead of cutting it out.  You would need to do this so you can have the room on the fabric for the hoop.  So today, since we are all cut out, you will have to be hoopless like me!

There are many ways to tie on to the fabric but  we are going to use  the Away Waste Knot .
Click Away Waste Knot to see how to Tie onto your fabric and also to tie off.


Ready to Embroider!  I am going to begin at the left side of my top embroidery design and work my way to the right.  The stitches used in this design are the Lazy Daisy stitch (the flowers and leaves), the Stem/Outline stitch (all the stems) and the French Knot (the flower centers and the dots at the hem.

For instructions, click onto Embroidery - French Knot and  Lazy Daisy and Embroidery - Stem/Outline stitch.

Question for Lesson Five:  Do you use a thimble to stitch?  If not, please try one!  It makes stitching faster!!


Stitch a little while and then join me for a very nice tea!
Buttermilk Pound Cake with Coffee ice cream. 
 English Breakfast tea to revive you after all that stitching!

Sunbonnet Babies
At four o'clock, the Babies three
Said, "Really, it is time for tea!"
So up they got, set off once more,
And wandered on along the shore.
But as the sun was getting hot,
They sat down in a shady spot.


From The Sunbonnet Babies by Eulalie Osgood Grover














All Designs Are Copyright Protected copyright 2010 Jeannie Baumeister

42 comments:

Aunt Honey said...

I see you have the lace sewn on in your sample. Did I miss this? I thought last week said we were waiting. Maybe I need to pay closer attention!!!

Sewbusymor said...

Hi Jeannie!! YES I have always used a thimble for any hand stitching I do. I was given a thimble at 8 years old and can't manage stitches without. [Well..plastic canvas maybe LOL]

What I can't get used to is a finger shield...they don't fit me like I think they should. I keep trying though, because I am tired of my pricked finger!! ouch.

Hope your day is wonderful...See you soon!!

Unknown said...

I was scurrying to catch up on the lessons since I was so late starting and had already begun embroidering back on Lesson Two--didn't read the step about not doing the embroidery....feels good to be up with everyone now and actually right on. When I pick my grandson up in the afternoons after school I work a couple of flowers. Helps to pass the time more quickly and not be a total waste of time.
Patti

Jeannie B. said...

Answer to Aunt Honey: No lace yet. It is the nicked seam allowance of the entredeux that you are noticing.

Jan said...

As to using a thimble, it depends on the project. Hand-quilting I always use one. On heavy fabrics - yes. On most cottons - no. When I do use one it's one that wraps around my finger from the side as that's where I tend to push the needle thru the fabric. This is the only one that is comfortable on my finger. It's made out of leather and underneath has little piece of plastic wrapped around the leather. I'm so happy to finally get to the embroidery, that's my favorite right behind hand-smocking.

Robin Hart said...

I do not use a thimble. Never really tried... I will take a piece of that cake though. Cannot seem to make one up here where the air is thin. It is the one cake I like the best as well.

ChrisB said...

I don't use a thimble...have never found one I could get comfortable with. Many pricked fingers as a result - ouch! Thanks for the cake and ice cream!

Aunt Honey said...

Thanks for pointing out that's not lace. I guess I've been paying attenion, I just can't see well! I only use a thimble if I'm hand quilting -- then I use a leather thimble that fits over the entire finger. I find it hard to use a thimble when I'm doing hand embroidery, though I remember my grandmother using hers!

Unknown said...

Like Chris I can't get used to a thimble--wish I could. They just have never been comfortable. I have a collection of a few and occasionally try again.

Patti

Eileen said...

I have never used a thimble but I do have a couple. Just for you I will try it! The cake looks yummy and I love breakfast tea!

Pandy said...

Hi I got to class early this week. Yes I use a thimble almost always. I trained myself to use one by wearing it all day till I didn't notice it was there. No I didn't do dishes with it on yucky. English Breakfast Tea is my most favorite one. Thanks for the cake and tea. I sure am having fun with the sew a long. Your friend Pandy

Kristen B. said...

I have tried some in a few of the classes I have taken. Generally, I don't use one.

Marcy said...

Yay-the embroidery! I will be doing my embroidery using the palest peach on my white day gown. It seems that each of my granddaughters has had a special color and this little one due in a month will have the color peach.
I do not use a thimble. But I do have a question as I would love to try it-how do you fit a thimble? and where do you find them? I assume that I won't find a nice thimble at a chain fabric store.
Thank you for the tea-another favorite this week :-)

Kristen B. said...

I have tried some in a few of the classes I've taken. Generally, I do not use one.

Just found out I'm getting a new nephew. Thread choices - white or blue. Hmmm....

Susie B said...

I have yet to find a thimble I'm comfortable using, so my collection of thimbles just grows & collects dust. I guess it's a matter of being able to feel where I'm stitching ~ a bit like my preference to sew at the sewing machine while barefoot! But,I always wear shoes to tea! ;} Thanks for another lovely table set with treats!

Georgette said...

Hi Jeannie, I don't use a thimble. I've tried the metal ones, leather (that looks like an open ended circle thing) and the plastic ones that open for your finger nail. I guess I can't really figure out the proper way to use one. Any info would be appreciated. I would love to stop pricking my finger :)

The sewing room said...

Loveing learning all your tips thank you. Your cake looks very tasty I wish i could join you for a cup of tea .I will get round to showing you my foot draw soon,now that you have challenged me.Have a great weekend hugs Pat

Karen said...

Hi! I don't use a thimble. I've tried but it just never 'felt right'.

Unknown said...

Hello Ladies,
I have always used a thimble and just can't seem to sew without one. My great grandmother taught me to sew, followed by my grandmother and mother...then my aunt stepped into the picture and they all used a thimble...so I guess I was just destined to use one. Now I am teaching my grand daughters...ages 5,9 and 10. They all use a thimble and have been known to carry them home unknowningly on their small fingers...so we usually do a "thimble" check as they walk out the door. :O) I am enjoying this sew along and anxious to see finished garments.

Kath :o)

Unknown said...

Hello Ladies,
I have always used a thimble and just can't seem to sew without one. My great grandmother taught me to sew, followed by my grandmother and mother...then my aunt stepped into the picture and they all used a thimble...so I guess I was just destined to use one. Now I am teaching my grand daughters...ages 5,9 and 10. They all use a thimble and have been known to carry them home unknowningly on their small fingers...so we usually do a "thimble" check as they walk out the door. :O) I am enjoying this sew along and anxious to see finished garments.

Kath :o)

Michelle said...

Hi, Jeannie,
I never use a thimble, but would be interested in starting to use one if it really makes sewing go faster and would prevent me from making holes in my fingers. Would you give all of us some guide lines on how to decide which kind to look for and purchase? Also which finger do you use it on, the middle or ring finger?
The most important question I have for you today is I would like to know if you would share your buttermilk pound cake recipe?!?!
Have a FABULOUS weekend!! And....Thank YOU for ALL you do for all of us!!!

Jeannie B. said...

Answer to Goosegirl: Typically, you would not want to just knot your thread and begin stitching embroidery. I have shown the easiest acceptable method (away waste knot)to attach the thread to fabric and it works for most stitches. If you are going to knot your thread anyway, then make sure that 1. the fabric is not so sheer that the knot shows 2.it is secure in the fabric

Jean said...

I usually use a thimble when hand-sewing. It makes my life much easier.

I think I'll do the blue embroidery after all--I was thinking of doing it in white. Looking forward to having fun with that this week!

Becky said...

I always think I should use a thimble but find it gets in the way except for hand quilting when I need it for protection.

Looking forward to the embroidery since I struggled with a too-small neck for a bit last week!

RebeccaM said...

I almost always use a thimble when hand sewing. My favorite is a metal thimble I got at age 14 for my first home ec class. It just fits the middle finger on my right hand--the size is exactly between being loose enough to fall off and tight enough to squeeze my finger.

RebeccaM said...

Should a daygown always be worn with a slip or does it depend on the fabric? With a lightweight batiste, I would use the same fabric for a slip--but what about the heavier satin batiste we are using?
Thanks!

Jeannie B. said...

Answer to Rebecca: I think Daygowns should be worn with a slip. The slip is like an undergarment and the Daygown always looks nicer with a slip. The Satin Batiste fabric is not too heavy for a winter baby but a batiste or lawn will make a very nice slip. The color of the slip can match the Daygown or be white. The Blue Satin Batiste that I had in stock is gone and is replaced with a different dye lot. It is pretty but not the same blue.

Sherry Richardson said...

I'm late for class!!! Trying to finish up on some other projects before I work on this because this is my favorite!!! I do not use a thimble -tried a long time ago but it seem to get in my way. May have to try again as I'm learning so much from you. Can't wait for my tea and cake

M said...

I do handstitch and embroider with a thimble, although not 100% of the time. When I do, I usually reach for my leather one that fits really well.
I do have a couple of nice [traditional style] metal thimbles - including one that was my grandmother's - that I would like to start using, but need to get accustomed to using that style.
And I definitely use the finger shield for granitos, pinstitch and the like.
Yippee! I've been looking forward to starting on the embroidery...
M

antcan said...

My grandmother taught me to embroider many years ago and would not allow me to stitch without a thimble. I put it on my finger even before threading a needle.

Cindy said...

Jeannie...I do use a thimble. I have always had a fascination with thimbles and still tend to buy them if I ever see them in shops. I really only have one that fits well though and I use it all the time for hand stitching.

Debbi said...

I use a really ugly leather thimble with a slit for my nail because it is the only kind I find comfortable. I use it inconsistently but am trying to remember to have it handy because my stitching is nicer when I use it (probably because my finger isn't sore from pushing on the needle!).

Cassie said...

Yay! I'm finally all caught up and ready to start my embroidery.

I *always* use a thimble--can't even thread the needle without having it on, lol!

I have two special antique sterling thimbles that I like best. One belonged to my great-grandma, monogrammed with an "E". (Her hame was Emma, and since now my last name is Edson, it fits perfectly in more than one way.)

The other one has a Delft enamel band, and also has a sentimental history. I treasure it as much as the grandma one.

(I also keep a collection of many miscellaneous antique and modern ones handy, just in case I've temporarily misplaced the favorites, because I really do HAVE to wear a thimble to sew!)

Elisabeth Rose said...

Hi Jeannie,
I'm late to the party this week, because we've been getting ready for back to school. I will look forward to doing my embroidery later this week when the house is (semi) quiet! I have only used a thimble for hand-quilting which I am not very experienced with. I will try it, but I usually prefer to have bare hands to get the best control of the needle. Thanks again for all the information you have shared on this sew-along. It's sew much fun!!

wendy said...

Yes, I use a thimble...Sometimes more than one.lol.

Unknown said...

I know that I am coming to this late, but I am wondering if the Raglan Daygown kit would be a good beginner heirloom project for me? I am a beginner to heirloom techniques, but have been sewing for years, mostly quilting.

Thanks!
Ashley

Jeannie B. said...

Answer: I hope my Thimble post answered the thimble questions! And yes, Ashley, this is a great beginner project.

Emily said...

Nope, I don't use one. Thank you for doing this tutorial ^.^

Patti H in MS said...

I never use a thimble. My mother was aghast when I wouldn't - just couldn't get used to it. After reading your post, I may try again!

fran said...

I don't use a thimble but I'm going to try. I have two that were my grandmother's. They're over 125 years old.

mydogbama said...

Sorry I'm late. I do not use a thimble - it feels awkward.

Pat C. said...

I tried a thimble since you suggested it. But it feels awkward, and I don't really seem to need it. . .

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