Archive
children
WIP: Gail Doane’s Eloise
Posted by Claire on Aug 05 2010
I mentioned in an earlier post that I’m working on a version of Gail Doane’s exquisite smocked wool dress, Eloise, from AS&E 87. I don’t usually succumb to buyer’s lust. I try very hard to be controlled in my stash building, especially when it comes to ‘wanna-sews’. There aren’t enough hours in the day and […]
Book Review: Simplified Smocking by Helena Buehler
Posted by Claire on Jul 23 2010
I picked up this interesting book, “Simplified Smocking” by Helena Buehler from Abebooks last year for a song. My copy was published in 1916; I’ve since since re-prints issued by several online sellers on Ebay and Etsy. This book is notable because while several of my Victorian-era embroidery books mention smocking among other techniques, it […]
It’s All About Me!
Posted by Claire on Jul 22 2010
After a mammoth couple of months of ‘business’ sewing, including five Christmas/winter articles, a Valentine’s Day cross-stitch and more, I’m finally taking a bit of a break from ‘gotta-dos’ to sew some ‘wanna-dos’. Last night, I cut out the lining for my Ottobre raincoat. Yes, yes, I know it’s taken me until now to get […]
Happy Camper, Indeed
Posted by Claire on May 26 2010
It’s always fun to see an idea that was only a sketch on paper make it into print, like the child’s quilting sleeping bag in this month’s issue of Sew News. This was a really fun project to do. I will admit, quilting is not my first love – there’s something rather Sisyphisian to me […]
Barefoot in the Park
Posted by Claire on May 23 2010
Thanks to another rainy Saturday, I’ve managed to tick another WIP off the list: a cap-sleeved top and bermuda shorts for my niece. Due to a fairly successful stash diet, that has seen me foregoing new fabric in favour of my existing choices, I’ve made some pretty decent inroads on my stash over the past […]