Saturday, March 17, 2012

Wearin' of the Green


Mommy was taking the babies to the parade today and she wanted something green. I knew I couldn't conquer much but maybe a Children's Corner "Lucy" was achievable. She helped by getting the fabric ironed. I love a heavy iron until it weighs too much to lift, and she helped cut out the pattern. It is reversible and I purposely didn't embroider a shamrock on it, so Princess will get lots of wear out of it. The green pique is left from last year's Mardi Gras dress.  The floral twill was out of the closet. Not sure where or when it was purchased. The applique is one I used on some burp cloths before Princess was born.


The green in the floral and the pique aren't the best match, but it will do for a play dress.


Of course it is piped. I can't not pipe it. 


I also knew that I didn't have the mobility to pull threads to gather a ruffle, so I rough pleated the ruffle. To do that simply prepare your fabric by cutting a length double your desired finished ruffle plus a double seam allowance. So since I wanted a one and a half inch ruffle, the fabric is 3.5 inches long. Two lengths are stitched together for width, folded wrong sides together and pressed. I pinned it to the hem, folded an approximate one inch pleat, pin and repeat. all the way across. Join the ends to make the ruffle into a complete circle. I did not measure or mark the pleats. I was in a hurry and didn't want to over think it. If you look closely you can tell that all of the pleats are not 100% uniform, but to see it as a whole you don't notice it.

 

All dressed for the parade. Our weather in unseasonably warm so a pair of cute sandals and a purchased knit top finish our ensemble.


Happy St. Patrick's Day for all of the honorary Irish today.

Friday, March 16, 2012

It Has Been A While


Yes it has been far too long, faithful reader. Life is crazy for everyone I know, but for those in Southern Matriarch-land, it has been especially so for several weeks.

Last time I checked in most of the offspring were home for wedding prep and Baby Hank's Baptism. Since then, more wedding prep, our son has moved away, my husband has taken an out of town contract and returned to traveling every week, a dear friend became ill and died, our daughter and the babies have moved back into the house for a short while and I have become better friends than I would like with an orthopedic surgeon.


Take it from me, don't take the gift of two good shoulders for granted! What I would give to hook my own bra again. And during all those years of carpooling I never would have believed I would miss driving. "In time" the surgeon says. I'm thankful for family and friends that have been taking good care of me while I mend.


Our chapter had the good fortune of hosting Jeannie Baumeister of "The Old Fashioned Baby" last weekend. I was able to hand stitch some the first day but had to fore go the machine work the next day. I was only one week post op at that point. Since then I have been able to sit at my machine for short periods of time. No marathon sewing sessions for me right now. I even succumbed and bought Easter finery for the babies. Just couldn't get any bunnies or chicks smocked this year. :sigh:






And there has been lots of time with these two cuties. We only have a week left until they move overseas. So forgive me while I spend as much time as possible with my babies. There will be lots and lots of time to stitch as well as tell you about it, once they depart. Plus I will need to keep myself busy to keep from missing them too much.

Thank you to all that emailed asking if I was all right or going to return. You were never forgotten, I just could not make it to the desk to check in. It is good to be missed. I promise to be back soon.
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