Thursday, December 22, 2011

Ruffles, Satin and Lace

 Sewing with satin is interesting.  It wants to slide all over the place when you're trying to cut out your pattern pieces.  And, if you don't serge all your salvages, they get very wispy as they fray.
As I studied this pattern I decided I didn't want to make a dress and a pinafore, so I attached the lace pinafore bodice to the satin dress bodice so when I attached the lace sleeve caps and skirt to the bodice it became one garment with two skirt layers. 
 My advice to anyone sewing satin for the first time is to serge all your salvages (make sure you preserve your notches and markings) and use lots of straight pins to keep the slippery fabric layers even.  Please note that satin bruises so don't leave the pins in too long.  Also, be careful as you press the satin because if you press in an unwanted crease, the satin is not forgiving.
You can make beautiful garments with satin if you take the time and care it requires.

If you have any questions, post them.  I'll be glad to answer them if I can.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

FAD AND FASHION

  Is it universal?  Is everyone suffering in this rotten economy?  I make wonderful garments that can be handed down for generations.  They are made to last and outlive the fad clothing.  The boutique thing will pass but my garments will always be fashionable.

Friday, November 25, 2011

I LOVE MAKING DOLL CLOTHES

If you've never made a little doll dress, you really should try it.  It takes less than a yard of fabric for most garments and it's a lot of fun.  I made these garments last week and I fell in love with all of them.  I told my husband I had to have an 18" doll for Christmas.  Silly, huh?

                                                  


I am not a quilter and I almost always have fabric left over from the children's garments I make.  It's usually not enough to make anything in a child's size, but it is perfect for an 18" doll dress.

This is totally off my topic but I just recently noticed that a term has been created to refer to people who sew.  I have an opinion but I like Ardeana Hamlin's better:  "So call me seamstress, call me tailor, call me stitcher, call me needleworker, but please don’t call me “sewist.”  Ardeana is Asst. Editor of the Bangor Daily News and you can read her entire story here:   http://bangordailynews.com/2010/01/11/living/donrsquot-call-me-a-lsquosewistrsquo/

Friday, November 4, 2011

I Love to "Fall Back"

It seems like I am fighting the clock from the moment they make me "spring forward" and lose that hour. It's always sleep I lose because no matter how hard I try, I can't go to sleep an hour earlier just because we changed the clocks. And then when "fall back" approaches, I think about all the things I will do in that extra hour. Will I spend that hour on the computer looking at all the cute animal videos or listening to music on YouTube or any one of those things I put aside and save for that day when I have more time? And then the weekend arrives and there I am with that delicious "extra hour" just around the corner. What do I do? You guessed it...I fall asleep...

Thursday, October 27, 2011

What I did today...and part of yesterday

I love making little dresses. This one was a little challenging since it is yoked all the way around. Gathering the front, back and sleeves onto the yoke was interesting.


Sunday, October 23, 2011

LISTING TODAY AT GRANDMABENNY'S

Cute vest for the Christmas season. More vests to come.

You all recognize this one as the Feliz so, for the Christmas season, I have dubbed it the "Feliz Navidad"

And this is the back view of all the ruffles that make this little dress so adorable.

I am sewing every day so if nothing in the shop tempts you, it's probably not made yet. Come to Grandmabenny's often.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Monday, October 10, 2011

Little Boys Need New Clothes Too!

I have been neglecting all the little boy customers.  A situation I am remedying right now. 


Isn't it the cutest thing.  I made slacks of the material in the bill and am working on the shirt out of the striped fabric.  It's a size 6 month.  The Lord willing, I should finish it up tomorrow and post it in my shop, Grandmabenny's at Etsy.

Monday, October 3, 2011

I missed Septober

You know.........the last couple of days of September and the first couple of days of October.  I do it every year.  I get so busy that it's October before I realize that September ended.  The good part is I am able to sit at my sewing machine and make garments!  
What do you think of my latest entries?



I just love big bows on little girls.  They look so sweet.  I made this dress and it didn't call for a belt or a bow but it just screamed at me "I need a big bow!"  So, I improvised and created this one.
  
And who couldn't love cupcakes?

Monday, September 26, 2011

LATEST FROM GRANDMABENNY

Made this dress from an old pattern.  Turned out pretty well don't you think?  This one is sold but I still have the pattern if anyone wants one for their little one.  The price is $99.00 in a size 4, 5 or 6.
I love the collar and the cumberbund.  It takes yards and yards of trim and ruffles but the finished garment is worth the effort.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Just in case anybody actually reads these..........

Sewing like mad and if you visit my Etsy Shop or my FB page you'll see the new stuff I have been working on.  Like this one:


It's for my sweet granddaughter, Emma.  But if anybody wants to order one request a custom order in my Etsy Shop.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

I HOPE THIS FIXED IT


I just love this dress.  It is so elegant.  A size 3 this dress has a jewel neckline, a high waist and long skirt and sleeves with flounces.  The bodice and sleeves are lined.  It zips close in the back.  This is just one of the new garments I will be listing in my Etsy shop in the next few days. 

By the way, check out the great sale I am having at Grandmabenny's on Etsy.  Prices are slashed.  All garments hand made by me. 

I promised you a look at my awesome mannequin.  Now, don't laugh.






You have to admit it makes the clothes look better than laying flat on a sheet on the table.  What do they say? "Necessity is the mother of invention." 


Monday, August 29, 2011

You might have questions

You might wonder where I've been for a year.  Shortly after I posted "What happened to July" I became ill.  I fought it until December when I just couldn't fight any more.  I spent Christmas on the couch and with herbs and rest, I managed to make it to May 4 when everything went haywire. They tell me I nearly died.  I spent the week in the hospital on antibiotics and steroids to get rid of the pneumonia.  They ran lots of tests while I was there and found several other problems.  I am just this month getting back to my "old" self.  After all, I am old.  I can still sew, though and have made several cute things in the last couple of weeks that I will be posting in my Etsy shop.  Stop by and take a look. 

I should hold a webinar. "How to NOT"



This is a demonstration of how NOT to take photos of your finished product.  What can I say, I was in a hurry and ended up wasting a lot of time with no results.  Have a doctor's appt tomorrow so it will be Wednesday before I can fix it.  You will be among the first to see my new mannequin.  It is amazing(not) but it does make a better picture than the above and this dress is too pretty to ruin.