SewNso's Sewing Journal

Sewing with Silhouette Cameo

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 03:16:00 +0000

A few weeks ago I splurged and bought myself a new gadget! It's a Silhouette Cameo! I have been researching and reading all I could about them and decided I just HAD to have one! Since sewing is my first and foremost favorite hobby, my goal was to be able to cut fabric with it. My niece sent me a photo-text the other day with an adorable key chain and asked if I could make one. That inspired me to do some experimenting!

I am so pleased with the results of my experiment, that I decided to share a tutorial on how to make it! A Silhouette Cameo makes it so quick and easy, but if you don't have one, you can still make this cute key chain. My tutorial tho, will show how to make it using the Silhouette Cameo.

I LOVE the software that comes with the SC - very easy to learn! I imported the shape I wanted my key chain to be, and since I needed one for the top and one for the bottom, I duplicated the shape.

I chose two scraps of fabric and ironed them down on Heat 'n Bond lite.

I then peeled away the paper from the back of the fabric. This leaves a rubbery back to the fabric, which is an adhesive when I iron it later.

I placed the two scraps of Heat 'n Bond backed fabric to my cutting mat.

Then loaded it in the Silhouette Cameo and started cutting.

When the machine finished cutting, I peeled away the fabric!

Here is the top and bottom pieces to my Key Chain!

I went back to my software and created an "L", choosing a nice

fat font. I first made sure that the L would fit in the scalloped

circle, then removed the circle and sent the L to the Silhouette Cameo.

Using felt, I ironed Heat 'n Bond lite to the back and peeled away the paper.

I positioned the felt to the cutting mat

...and loaded it in the Silhouette Cameo! Since this is felt,

I had to set the cutting blade to #10 and had it run 2 passes.

Once it finished cutting, I peeled the excess felt away

...and now I have a perfect letter "L"!

Now it's time to head to the sewing machine!

I wanted another piece of felt between the two printed fabrics. Note: I could have cut another scallop circle out of the pink felt, but truth is, I got tired of running up and down the stairs because I was working in two different rooms on this project - remember this was just an experiment! It actually did make it easier sewing with the pink felt being left in a square tho.

I ironed the scallop circle and the "L" to the felt to secure.

I chose a thread color

...and set my machine to stitch a triple stitch.

I stitched just inside the "L" all the way around the letter.

The "L" is completed!

Now it's time to trim away the excess pink felt,

following the scallop all the way around.

I cut about a 4" length of Grosgrain ribbon,

which is to loop around the key chain.

Fold the ribbon in half and sandwich it between

the layers. Make sure the bottom layer has the

Heat 'n Bond lite side up.

Press all layers together with iron.

Head back to the sewing machine and using the

triple stitch, stitch all the way around the scalloped

circle, following the scallops.

Completed Key Chain! Now wasn't that easy?!

I LOVE my Silhouette Cameo and I am looking forward to experimenting with it for machine applique!

I hope you enjoyed my tutorial and that it has inspired you!

Spring Preview!

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:37:00 +0000

It's always exciting for me to get the latest issue of Sew Beautiful Magazine. It's something that I always look forward to arriving in my mailbox! It's been this way since I started subscribing many years ago. I own each and every issue since the Premiere Issue, and I cherish my collection! This is one magazine that has consistently inspired me to create and sew!
The current issue is one that I will cherish forever, since it features one of my designs and my youngest grandson, Caleb, who is modeling my creation!

Isn't he yummy?!?!

For those who are longtime followers of my blog, you might have seen this little jon-jon before. I created it especially for Caleb for Easter last year.

Included with the article is my smocking plate "Caleb's Cottontails".

These darling cottontail bunnies look cute in chocolate,

or you can change it up by smocking them in

white, pink or blue! The smocking plate is

in my article in the magazine, so make sure you pick up a copy!

I know there are those who are just as interested in the jon-jon pattern that I used. It's my own drafted pattern and you will have to wait a bit for the pattern. It will be worth the wait tho, as it will be included in a future issue of Sew Beautiful Magazine! It's very unique, as this looks like a 2-piece shirt and jon-jon, but it's all one piece!

I hope you enjoyed my Spring Preview and that it has inspired you to use "Caleb's Cottontails" for your Easter creations!

DIY Labels!

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:31:00 +0000

Have I mentioned before how much I love Pinterest? Seriously, I get "sew-n-so" inspired as I ~~waste~~ spend time lurking thru the gazillions of photos! Today's tutorials is pinterest-inspired!
It seems I ALWAYS need labels, especially when I am fresh out of them! With this tutorial, I will never - ever have to order or wait for an order to arrive again. I can make them on the fly, and they are both time and money-savers...and that makes me very happy!

These labels are just my testers there is still some tweeking that needs to be done to make the even better. I am very pleased with the results tho and they are amazingly easy to create!

I followed a tutorial from Pinterest, but there were a few things I didn't like about that tutorial, besides the fact that I had a few of my own ideas that I wanted to try. If you remember, several years ago I created a tutorial on making your own labels, but my new method is 100% better!

I went to my local Hobby Lobby store and bought some Iron-on transfer paper for Ink Jet Printers. This is an awesome product that allows you to use your ink jet printer and print onto a film that is on paper and then iron it onto fabric! I also bought a couple packages of Wrights Twill Tape in 2 sizes.

I created my logo that I wanted on my label in Pixelator - you can use whichever program you have in your computer to create text with graphics. You can also use an online source, such as Picnik. Adding in wing-dings with just your name is also quite cute! Once you have your logo created, import it into a word processing document - I am using Pages on my mac, but windows-uses can use any Word Processing Document. Mirror image the design - it HAS to be mirror imaged to work. I created 4 columns and then copied and pasted as many times as I could for the page.

Next step is to load the Print 'n Press paper into the printer. Make sure that you load the paper in correctly - instructions for that is in the packet of paper. Print your page and it will look like this: a whole sheet of mirror-imaged logos!

Here's a closer look: for this 2nd label, I used wing-dings on my computer for the ornamental design! Also remember that the sky is the limit for colors you want to use - all colors and multiple colors in your logo will work just fine!

The next step I took was to cut rows of the logos with a paper cutter. This just makes it easy to have your logos evenly spaced on the Twill Tape and make several at a time! I wouldn't make much more than four at a time.

Lay the printed side down on the Twill Tape - you should be able to easily line up the logo onto the Twill Tape.

If it's hard to see, then you can lay the Twill Tape on top of the printed transfer paper - it really doesn't matter.

Using your iron, you will transfer the logo to the Twill Tape. Don't rub back and forth - just press and move to another area - you can also flip it over and press again.

When you peel the paper away, you are left with the logo imprinted on the Twill Tape! It's just as easy as that! The logo will have a sort of a film on top - this makes it so that your label can be washed and the logo won't wash away! The nice thing about using Twill Tape is that all the edges are finished, you can cut off each label as you need it and then either fray check the cut sides, turn under and stitch, or zigzag to finish off.

I hope I have inspired you to create your own unique labels! I know I am going to be making all kinds of them!

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hop'n down the bunny trail!

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:56:00 +0000

Bunnies have been multiplying in my design shop at Brer Rabbit Designs! About a year ago, Brer Rabbit created a new style of baby slippers and I am so pleased to announce that the design file and instruction booklet is complete!

Hop! Hop! Hop!

Shabby Chic Bunny Slippers

have arrived!

They are so cute and fun to make! I actually cut up a chenille bathrobe for the outer fabric! The floral fabric came from Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops.

My chenille looks pinkish in this photo, but it's actually a creamy white.

The slippers can be made up in two different sizes and both sizes are included when you purchase the design! All machine formats are available! This is a in-the-hoop embroidery file. All slipper parts are stitched out with your embroidery machine. Also included is a beautiful full-color eBook with step-by-step instructions! The design file is available now at Brer Rabbit Designs! They are just in time to give you a jump-start on your Easter Sewing! What a perfect little gift for a baby and they make perfect photo props!

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sweetly embellished!

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:22:00 +0000

Several weeks ago I was honored to be asked by my local SAGA (Smocking Arts Guild of America) Chapter, Sew Many Things, to present a trunk show of some of my Sew Beautiful Magazine published garments. I was amazed at how many comments I got on one of the simplest and sweet embellishment techniques that I use quite often on garments. I decided to share my embellishment technique in my Sewing Journal & I hope you find many uses for it!

One of the most used lace edgings I love to use is this tiny scalloped lace by Capitol Imports, Inc.
I find so many uses for this precious edging. It's the perfect size for preemie garments, but it's also darling to use wherever you want just a little bit of lace.

So precious on a collar

or on a pretty sleeve!

Combining the tiny scalloped lace and floss can give you so many adorable combinations!

Just a touch of blue embroidery floss weaved into the scalloped lace give you the look of twisted piping! By the way, that cute bullion bumblebee is available HERE!

It even looks darling down the front opening

of this sweet baby boy's bubble!

Combine other machine stitches to give an interesting

technique, such as this sleeve. I first serged the edge of

the sleeve and then turned it under and topstitched.

I then attached the scalloped lace with a zigzag stitch!

I used the same technique on the border panel

I created for this bishop dress!

By the way, you can download the

ladybug border free HERE!

This technique is simply weaving one way,

then going back and weaving the other way

to get the "X" - this is another darling

embellishment perfect for boys!

It's such a simple technique, but I thought it would help to show you exactly how it's done!

The type of floss you use will result in a bit of a different look. I am using DMC Pearl Cotton, but feel free to try 2-3 strands of embroidery floss or even floche.

To create the "x" style, just work one way up the scallops, taking your needle in and out each scallop. When you get to the end, just work back down the lace, creating the crosses.

Using two different colors of floss also

results in an interesting look!

I hope you find many uses for this technique to make many sweetly embellished creations!

uhh-ohh!

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:31:00 +0000

Smocking is my all-time favorite type of needlework. It's hard to believe, but I have been smocking for nearly 30 years! I got hooked on smocking at the birth of my first-born, a daughter! Since I am an only girl, with three older brothers, I was beyond excited to have a baby girl!!! Shortly after she was born, I taught myself how to smock.
I was a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom) and if I wanted to learn how to do something, I usually taught myself. I would get books, magazines and anything that would help me perfect the skill I wanted to learn. I think that's why it's so important to me to create smocking and sewing tutorials. Like me, I know there are others who seek information and want to learn more. Whether they be new moms or grandmoms, I love sharing the art of smocking and hope that I inspire many to learn and perfect the skill. Along the way, there will be many uhh-ohhs!, but there are also lessons to be learned with in those uhh-ohhs!
On Saturday, I decided to prep and pleat up two bonnets to smock. As I was pulling up the pleats, I had an uhh-ohh! One of my pleating threads was not fully within the knot at the end of the row, and as I pulled up the pleats, it pulled the guide thread partially out! Ohhh, how I HATE it when that happens!!

The first response needs to be - don't panic!

One rule I always have when I pleat something, is to make sure that I always cut the pleating threads long. I always allow extra length on those threads until I begin smocking the very first row. That extra length of thread can be a life-saver in a situation such as this!

Grab the end of that thread and start pulling! Word of caution - make sure the other end of that thread is securely knotted or it will just pull out the other end and then you might as well pull all the threads out and start over!

Leaving those guide threads long will allow you to pull

out a nice long piece of thread to work with.

I like to use beading needles for this "uhh-ohh"

because the needle is very thin and very long, allowing

for picking up many pleats at a time.

If you look closely, you should be able to see the needle

holes in the fabric where the guide thread ran before it pulled loose.

Start loading the pleats on the needle going in and out the needle holes.

If you can't see the needle holes, then use the next pleated row as your guide.

The beading needle allows you to load a lot of pleats on the needle

and you can then easily pull up those pleats and see how even it is

before pulling the needle all the way thru the pleats. Continue to the

end of the row, then secure thread with a knot.

That just worked out perfectly! I now can pull up all my pleats

and tie off threads at both ends of the bonnet, double checking to

make sure that all threads are knotted, then trim off excess thread.

Yay - uhh-ohh is fixed!

Smock-on!!!

roll, whip & apply lace in one simple step!

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 01:07:00 +0000

Even tho I am reduced to one arm, it's not stopping me from doing what I love to do, and that is sew! As I was prepping and pleating up two bonnets to smock today, I took the opportunity to create a quick tutorial. Rarely do I ever roll and whip by hand - my machine just does it so much prettier, not to mention quicker and easier! I always add lace edging to my bonnet brims and I do it in one simple step! I touched on this topic once before, but it's worthy of it's own journal entry.

Roll, Whip & Apply Lace

I sew on a Bernina Artista 200, but these instructions should work with any sewing machine that can do a zig zag stitch.

I use Foot #3, which you see has 3 prongs off the "toe"

Machine setting is zig-zag stitch, set to width of 4, length of 1.5

and I moved the needle to the 3rd dot from the left

Place the lace edging on top of the fabric (right side up). Position it so that the lace edge is lined up with the left side of the middle prong and the edge of the fabric is lined up with the right side of the middle prong.

When you begin stitching, like magic the fabric

will roll over the heading of the lace!

This is how it looks when it is completed! I love this stitch because there are no pokies of fabric popping out anywhere - just a nice, clean finished edge, neatly rolled and whipped!

Press out the lace and look how beautiful the

lace is stitched to the edge of the fabric!

It's just as easy as that!!

If you want to add pin-stitching, then those instructions are here!

surgical sewing

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:39:00 +0000

What's a girl to do when she has to have shoulder surgery? Monogram her sling, of course!

A shoulder dislocation (on several occasions) led to a tear, that necessitated surgery last Monday. Not a fun surgery, by any means, but I have to make the best of it! I seriously considered making myself a Trendy Hospital Gown, but figured they wouldn't let me wear it, or it would get totally ruined in surgery, so I scrapped that idea.
I had to pick up my sling and take it to surgery with me, so I had it about a week in advance. Since it will be a regular part of my everyday attire for the next 4-6 weeks, I decided that I might as well monogram it and make it pretty! I'm sure I will get alot of comments on it, and it's pretty much a walking billboard if I want to do any monogramming for anyone - hehe!
Ice packs are also something that I knew I would be using multiple times a day, so I got busy and made some!

Easiest way to do this was to use cloth diapers and stuffing beads!

Even if you aren't having surgery, these are a nice and easy thing to make up to have on hand. You can put them in your freezer or warm them up in the microwave to use as a heat pack!
All I did was take a cloth diaper and folded it in half lengthwise and serged the seam, creating a tube. I then turned it right side out and with the seam in the center, I machine straight-stitched down the center length, creating two tubes. I then serged one end of the diaper. I now had two tubes that I filled half-way with stuffing beads, which I purchased at Wal-mart. Once the tubes were half-full. I serged the end and that was it!! The diapers make a perfect ice or heat pack, since they are thick and cushioned, as well as absorbent. I made two, so that one is always in the freezer ready when the other one is in use. I really like these much better than the old rice packs we used to make several years ago. I could have monogrammed these too, but I just didn't want to take the time to do it.
I am doing amazingly well, just 5 days out from surgery - I can now type with two hands, which also means that I will be heading back into the sewing room next week - can't keep me out of there for too long - I just have too many things I want to work on!
By the way - these cold winter days are perfect for a heat pack - so get busy and make some - you can even heat one up and put it in your bed to warm it up!
These ice/heat packs retain their temp for an amazingly long time!!
Happy Stitching!

my kitchen makeover

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 22:36:00 +0000

I spent New Year's Day painting my kitchen. It was blue, and it's been blue for several years, but it became a drab, depressing, cold, and un-inviting blue.

Now it's a bright, happy, warm and inviting RED and I couldn't be a happier girl! Painting was relatively painless and went quite quickly. Ohhh, how I loved the shade of red with each stroke of the brush!
I found the perfect fabric to make my curtains, then got busy sewing! The fabric is a black and white Toile and I used black and white gingham ribbon for the ties. I didn't have a pattern that I followed, I just winged it. I actually got inspired by a picture of a butterfly valance I saw on Pinterest! I am seriously addicted to that website - feel free to find and follow me! :)
Here's a few pictures of my "new" kitchen and the butterfly valences that I made.

Excuse the whompiness of the one valance on the right patio door

I didn't notice that the ruffle above the rod was pushed down like that!

The cabinet under the "Bistro" sign is the "feeding station"

for our dog - makes it the perfect nook for hiding away

the food and water and keeping it up off the floor!

I should have taken two more pictures - to the far right is a breakfast bar and on the other side of that is the eating area of our kitchen that you saw in the previous pictures. Opposite of the breakfast bar is a wall of more cabinets, a pantry and my refrigerator, which is built-in.

All the hardware on my cabinets will soon be replaced with black (or dark brown) handles. I need 30 handles and every place I found handles that I liked, they would only have 28 or 29 handles available! I hate that!

I have hardwood floors in my kitchen and my next plan is to find a new rug for under the table and chairs that picks up the red, black and white. I also plan to make a tablecloth or table runner that will match my butterfly valences.

Sewing for the home has been a fun change in the action for me, but sewing for children will always be my first love!

I hope you enjoyed the change of focus in what I usually share in my Sewing Journal with a peek inside my "new" kitchen!

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It's a New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0000

Well, 2012 has arrived! This year I have decided to just "sew with the flow" and not try to set up goals that I might be hard to accomplish. "Sew with the flow" allows me to just do what I do with my normal life, which is "go with the flow".

I love my Bernina Artista 200 and my MacBook, and together I can create "sew" much fun!! I love to design and there are many designs that have been tucked into my brain and my MacBook that need to make their appearance in 2012! My designs, known as "Brer Rabbit Designs" will now be featured here - keeping life simple and moving towards one blog for all my sewing creations!
In no particular order, here are just a few of the items that I promise will be available in machine embroidery format in early 2012!

Vintage Buttons 'n Lace Booties

Shabby Chic Bunny Slippers

Pink Vintage Booties

I have also been working on digitizing a complete new set of booties in multiple sizes, all new designs that I think you are going to just adore! All booties will be available to order individually or in sets.

I am also working hard to make many more machine shadow work designs, such as shown here:

Shadow work created entirely with the embroidery machine - it's so quick and easy! Here are a couple more of my designs I currently have available:

You can see all the machine shadow work collections HERE!

I'm looking forward to spending more time digitizing designs in 2012, as well as creating more smocking plates...by the way, I have a free one for you to try! For security purposes, the file is password protected and you will need to use the password "BRDpreemie" to open it.

I am also looking very forward to having several of my designs published in Sew Beautiful Magazine this year - always such an honor for me!

More tutorials are also planned for 2012 and I invite you to become a subscriber of my weekly newsletter, where you will get free tips and other goodies each week! My newsletter is sent out most every Tuesday morning.

Wishing you a very Happy New Year and hoping the same for myself! :)

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year in review

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:40:00 +0000

It's just days away from a brand New Year, and I can't help but look back over 2011 and evaluate...

As I read over that list, I don't feel too bad about not accomplishing all the goals I set for myself, because I think I was pretty successful in accomplishing many of them.

My year in review

Number one on my list was:

Spend at least 8 hours in my sewing room per day - ok, wait, I will settle for spending whatever time I can get in my sewing room per day, because that is attainable!

Yay! I accomplished this goal - no, I didn't spend every day in my sewing room, but I did spend whatever time I could squeeze in and that makes me happy!
Number 2 on my list was:

Write a book - yep! you read it right, one of my BIG goals for 2011 is to write a book, and yes, it is sewing-related! Oh, and not just write one (or two), but to have it published!

Ok, so I didn't accomplish this, however, it is still in the works! Writing a book takes LOADS of time and energy and one important lesson I have learned in this process is to not be in a hurry - taking time to do it right should pay off in the end.....we shall see! :)

Even tho I didn't finish my book, I did have several of my designs published in Sew Beautiful Magazine and became a "cover girl" for the 3rd time with my Christmas Stocking making the cover of the Holiday 2011 Edition!

Number 3 on my list was:

Get all the designs & patterns that are in my head onto the sewing table and in my computer so that they can become real patterns, not just ones that are stuck in my head - and yes, I have alot of them stuck in my head!

I feel pretty good about this goal - I did come up with some new patterns and designs in 2011. Oh, I still have a lot more crammed in my head that needs to be in my computer and on paper. I think that will be an endless goal for me - new ideas are always in the works!

Number 4 on my list was:

Get all my ePatterns as paper patterns and available to distributors.

Ok, so I failed miserably at this goal - it just didn't happen.....and I didn't even really make a good effort to make it happen. I've also come to the reality that more and more people want patterns as ePatterns so they have instant downloads, whether than waiting for a paper pattern to arrive in the mail.

Number 5 on my list was:

Learn new sewing techniques and teach more sewing techniques on my website/blog thru tutorials.

I'm very pleased with this goal, as I did learn many new sewing techniques and I did create lots and lots of new tutorials on my blog this year! I also created my own YouTube Channel, and my weekly newsletter with all kinds of goodies, which you can subscribe to!

Number 6 on my list was:

Market my Trendy Hospital Gowns.

I learned a lot with this goal and I feel like I succeeded in many ways with it too. I didn't actually "market" my gowns, as I found out just how hard that is when you are the only one sewing them. Keeping up with orders was a challenge at times thru the year, but I managed to work out a system that worked for me. In this process, decided to make my Trendy Hospital Gown available as an ePattern which has been a HUGE success! Also, I have made available my Cottage Industry Licensing Program which allows the licensee the right to use my pattern(s) in your profit-making home business.

Number 7 on my list was:

Get to know my serger better - I have an amazing serger (Babylock Evolve) and it does some pretty amazing things....or so I've seen - I'm determined to learn more of what it's capable of and then sharing what I learn on my blog!

I feel I somewhat accomplished this - I have learned more about my amazing serger, and I did share a few techniques on my blog, using a serger. I still have so much to learn and many, many more techniques I want to try in the future.

Number 8 on my list was:

New designs for boys is another BIG goal - especially since I have two grandsons!

Success!! I have created some new designs for boys - one of which will be in an up-coming issue of Sew Beautiful Magazine, which will also follow with a new pattern in 2013!

Number 9 on my list was:

Weed out my sewing stash - yep, I have just toooooo much stuff, and in 2011 I plan to purge! The best part of this goal is that many of these purges might be found in giveaways on my blog!

I did do a lot of purging and I still have a lot more to go! LOL!

And last, but not least is Number 10 on my list:

Keep sewing room organized so that I am not wasting valuable sewing time looking for something that wasn't put away in it's proper place!

I think this is the toughest challenge I set for myself!! It was a battle between success and failure depending on the project I was working on. I have "sew" much more to say about this as I share my goals for 2012 in a few days!

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O Holy Night

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 03:01:00 +0000

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

a Handmade Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 03:15:00 +0000

I've somehow managed to get some sewing accomplished this year! I'm actually pretty darn happy with myself too - seriously! Last year I had all kinds of BIG plans, but didn't barely accomplish what I had hoped. So far this year, I have accomplished my goal, and that makes me really happy! I think maybe this year I made my goals easier to accomplish than last year...a valuable lesson learned, indeed!
I made a smocked ornament, a pair of pj's, for my oldest grandson, and also finished up a coordinating pair for my youngest grandson today. I don't have a great picture of them, but I will post one when he's wearing them - hopefully! I made his with gripper bottom feet - so darn cute!

Today I finished up this reversible jon-jon

for my youngest grandson.

I used the softest feather-wale red corduroy

and an applique which I am totally

in love with! What makes this jon-jon so great is

that it's perfect for Christmas, but not so

"Christmas" that he can't wear it thru the

rest of the winter.

The reverse side of the jon jon is a red, brown

and white plaid cotton fabric, with my grandson's monogram.

All fabrics were purchased from Farmhouse Fabrics.

I used the same applique on this

purchased camo-shirt for my oldest

grandson. He's crazy about camouflage,

and I thought this design lends itself well

for wearing after Christmas too. I think

he's gonna love it! His applique is a bit bigger

than his little cousin's, and I used all the same

fabrics for applique so that they would coordinate.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my Handmade Christmas - I can't wait to see my sweet grandsons together on Christmas Day!! I hope I can snap a shot of them together in their appliqued hand-mades in the midst of all the excitement and wonder of Christmas!

monogram obsession

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:25:00 +0000

Hmm, I wonder if there is rehab for monogram obsession....or perhaps a 12-step program for people like me. I know, the first step in knowing you have an obsession is to admit it. Ok, so I admit, I have an obsession with monograms! Sometimes I sit and dream about things I can monogram. I should check myself into rehab, except for the simple fact that I have no desire to fix this obsession! Fact is, I am entirely in love with having everything and anything monogrammed! I just can't help it, I LOVE monograms and Pinterest has only increased my obsession with them!
I was suppose to be making pj's for my grandson today, and, as often happens, I got side-tracked in my sewing room. While digging thru my sewing room closet (I have no idea what I was looking for - oh wait! I was looking for gripper fabric for the feet of the pj's! LOL), anyway, I found a box that I keep vintage linens in, along with some other special linens. Within that box, I found several monogrammed hankies that belonged to my grandmother.

I remember that my grandmother always had a hankie. I don't think I ever saw her without one in my entire life! I {love} that all three of these hankies are monogrammed with her initial!
What I love about monograms are that they are timeless and classic!

I first came across this white handkerchief linen

hankie with a shadow work "B" - {love}

I then found this one - soooooo gorgeous! Sorry the pic is yellowed - the hankie is really very white!
While I continued to dig thru the linen box, I found a linen tea towel and that's when I got REALLY side-tracked from sewing pj's! Ok, so maybe it's Attention Deficit Disorder in the Sewing Room! The monogrammed "B" reminded me of a monogram font that I have been wanting to use on something. Before I could get side-tracked on something else, I started digging in my remnant box for the perfect fabric for contrast to use with the linen and lace tea towel.

Yep! This combo should do just fine!

My brain suddenly went into a full-blown monogram, linen, lace and vintage button obsession mode! I actually love it when that happens!! Here's what all my little obsessions wrapped into one, came up with.

I monogrammed the linen tea towel

with an awesome monogram that I

purchased from embroidery arts!
Font name is "Gothic 10"

I increased the size of the font "a lot"! I resized it to approx. 5"x6". Not all embroidery software will allow you to do that and re-calibrate stitches correctly, but my Bernina Software does it beautifully!

Pillow size is a baby-size pillow form.

I used the tan fabric behind the lace edge

to give it a "pop-factor"

I added vintage buttons from my stash

for added embellishment and it makes

it interesting - none of the buttons match.

I also added a button closure to the back, using

more vintage buttons (un-matched) from my stash!

I suppose I could have monogrammed this side

of the pillow too, but I'm too in love with the

lacy side to not keep it displayed!

I also really liked the idea of the hem-stitching

of the tea towel showing up on the back of the pillow!

I love my new monogrammed pillow on my bed

and it was so quick and easy to make!

...and it filled my obsession for monograms

...at least for today anyway!

practically perfect plaid bias tape

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:53:00 +0000

Rarely do I ever use packaged bias tape - I just don't like the quality of most of it, so therefore I almost always make my own. Making my own bias tape allows me to perfectly match the good quality fabrics I use in sewing and gives me endless possibilities in the use of fabrics and prints. It can be a bit time-consuming, but it's well worth the time it takes to make it!
I just finished this pajama set for my grandson and made my own bias tape for the top.

I probably never would have thought of teaming up this plaid bias with the brown flannel fabric, until I saw the same plaid in the pj pant print. It just made sense to make the bias for this top in the plaid. I think it turned out really cute!
Here's a short tutorial on how I made the plaid bias and I didn't even have to use a straight edge!

Sometimes the fabric print will not be on the exact bias, so if you cut it, using a straight edge on the true bias, it will end up off, and then your bias will look really crooked. With a plaid or even gingham print, it makes it so easy to cut on the bias and you don't even have to use a straight edge! You will end up with practically perfect bias every time! .
I measured off how wide I wanted my bias, which was 2". I then followed the plaid print of the fabric and using my rotary cutter, I just cut on the diagonal of each plain red square and each plaid square - just as easy as that! I let my eyes follow the diagonal of each square as I cut the strip of fabric.

I had to join strips to make a long bias tape, so I made sure that I totally matched my plaids so that the seam would virtually disappear!

How's that for perfect matching of the plaid?!?

Next step was to bring both cut edges

together in the center and press.

I then opened out the bias tape and machine stitched it to the cut edges of the pj top. My bias tape since it was perfectly cut on the bias of the print of the fabric, rather than the true bias of the fabric, runs in the exact pattern run all the way around the top.Taking time to perfectly cut your bias tape is a step worth taking, as you will get the

I then folded the tape over the edge to the back and whip-stitched the entire inside edge. I could have top-stiched the bias tape on for quicker results, but I think bias tape looks much better when you take the time to sew it on, then whip-stitch on the inside of the garment.

I hope you like this short little tutorial and that it inspires you to make your own bias tape on your next sewing project!

When my grandson saw his pajamas, he couldn't wait to put them on - I had to quick set the elastic waist and hem the pants, then he was one happy boy who was ready for bed! Since my tree isn't up yet, he went out on my front porch for a quick and cold photo shoot!

I'm now ready to duplicate this set for my 1 year old other grandson - can't wait to see the boys together in their pj's! By the way....I know I will get inquiries on what pattern I used - it is my own drafted pattern - look for it soon as an ePattern at Brer Rabbit Designs!

vertical smocking / ornament construction

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 21:54:00 +0000

First of all I want to give a big Thank You to all my customers who helped to make my Black Friday and Small Business Saturday a huge success! All designs at Brer Rabbit Designs will continue to available as single design purchase forever! My most popular sales were Shadow Work Machine embroidery for babies, so my focus for new designs will be more shadow work for babies! :) As always, I love to get requests for design ideas!

The lesson for today completes the Vertically Smocked Christmas Ornament!

Since this lesson is a bit involved and I think I took at least 30 pictures, I have put the construction tutorial into a video.

I'd LOVE to see your completed Smocked ornaments! Send me pictures and maybe I will share them on my blog in a future post!

black friday / small biz saturday SALE!

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 03:02:00 +0000

I hope you all had a Blessed Thanksgiving Day & spent it with those you love! I am still slowly working on my vertically smocked ornament, but got a little side-tracked. I've been busy helping Brer Rabbit in the Briar Patch as he prepares for a

BIG

This is a sale like no other that I have had before! If you are a subscriber to my newsletter, then you got my memo earlier today! The BIG SALE starts at midnight tonite and lasts thru Saturday nite at midnight! This is my Black Friday/Small Business Saturday SALE!

Brer Rabbit has been very busy - you might need to hit the refresh button when you go to his website to get all the latest additions.

Almost ALL the Embroidery Designs at BRD are now available as single designs for purchase!
Some sets are still available and prices of those sets have been slashed!
NEW designs and design sets have been added!
ALL the shadow work photos have been updated with larger and clearer pictures of each design!
Photos have been added to many of the design pages to allow you to see how the design was used on a garment!

Here's the details of the Special 2-day SALE!

Sale begins at midnight tonite & ends at midnight Saturday nite - any requests before or after that will not be honored.
SALE is BOGO! Buy 1, Get one FREE on ALL of BRD's embroidery designs, embroidery sets, smocking plates and ePatterns!
Only these two pages of links are included in the special 2-day SALE:This Page and This Page ONLY!
Your free design must be equal to or less than purchased item and you must add a note in with your order of which free design(s) you are requesting. There is a place for you to type it in within the PayPal shopping cart.
The BOGO sale is limited to PayPal orders only - snail-mail orders will not be accepted.
Please help Brer Rabbit and make sure that the PayPal email address you use is the correct email address to send designs - also make sure that your email settings are set to accept attachments.
Brer Rabbit is anticipating a GREAT response to this sale, so make sure you read this page!

Now head on over to

and do some shopping!!

vertical smocking / smock on!

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 02:39:00 +0000

How's your vertical columns coming along? I'm just checking in to show you my progress. I'm almost half-way done with my panel.

I also want to answer a question. One question I got was what size to block the panel before smocking. I did not block mine at all - there is no need to block the panel. For those who are used to always blocking to a certain size, don't worry - I am going to show to how to finish off the panel and complete the entire ornament....trust me, you do not need to block it first.....just smock away! :)

Please email me with your questions and I will do my best to answer in a blog post, as others may have the same question.

Ok, time for me to get back to smocking!! :) Smock on!!!

vertical smocking / adding a 'lil bling!

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:02:00 +0000

Today we finish the 2nd column and add just a little bit of blingy-bling! After this journal entry, you will have learned all the stitch sequences you need to complete all the vertical smocking for your Christmas Ornament, which means construction & completion of the ornament will be in my Sewing Journal this week! If you missed the beginning of this series, then click HERE!

Using green floss, begin on the inside

of the red column with a cable stitch

on Row 2-1/2 - work down to Row 3

and cable one

Continue the sequence, you should

know the sequence of the ladder stitch

working all the way down to Row 8-1/2

Trellis 4 down to Row 9-1/2

Cable one and Trellis 4 up to Row 8-1/2

Work the ladder stitch all the way up

to the top, then work the same trellis combination

at the top of the design.

Take thread to the back of your work, but

don't tie off.

Work a cable on Row 2-1/2 right next

to the first one you did on the previous

ladder stitch sequence

Trellis 2 down to Row 3.

This is where I changed needles to a

Crewel #10 because it has a smaller eye.

Add a bead to the center of the cable

as you are working it, then trellis back up

to Row 2-1/2

Take the needle to the back, but do not

tie off.

Let your thread fall within a valley on the

back of your work and invert your work and

keep working the beaded V-stitch down

the center of the column. This helps to

keep the knots to a minimum on the

back of your work.

Once completed your 2nd column

should look like mine!

You now can continue working across your pleated panel alternating the columns as follows: 1-2-1-2-1-2-1-2 -1-2-1-2 - you should be able to fit 6 of each column on the pleated panel. If desired you could do every other beaded V-stitch in red with a green bead, or you can do all the beaded V-stitch as shown - another variation would be to alternate within the column, but you would end up with added knots on the back of the column.

I'm getting loads of hits on my blog, but very few comments -

I do hope you are enjoying this

... I'd love to know what you think of it.

vertical smocking / column two

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 00:54:00 +0000

I hope you have been following along with me as I demonstrate how to vertically smock a Christmas ornament! Just in case you missed a lesson, I've made it easy to refer back to the previous posts by creating a page so that you can easily refer to all the Smock-a-long lessons. You can find the page up at the top of my blog in the tabs, or you can click here.
Today we will work on the 2nd column as we work across the pleated panel. Descriptions will fall under each picture.

For this column, you will begin on row 2-1/2

Come up thru the valley that is directly to the

right of the outside cable stitch of the previous column

Cable one, then drop down to Row 3

and cable one

Notice stitches have been worked on 4 pleats

these same 4 pleats will be the only pleats worked

until we get to the bottom of the stitch sequence.

There are no free pleats from the first column that

was worked to the 2nd column.

Invert and work up to the 1/2 space

cable one

Continue working the ladder stitch until

you reach Row 8-1/2

Trellis stitch 6 down to Row 10

Cable one

Trellis stitch 6 up to Row 8-1/2

Cable one - make sure thread is coming

out the top of the cable stitch

Invert work and begin working the ladder

stitch sequence again

Work the ladder stitch up to Row 2-1/2

Invert work and trellis 6 to Row 1

(remember work is upside-down right now)

Cable one

Trellis stitch 6 up to the first cable

stitch that was worked in the ladder stitch sequence.

Take needle down thru the valley to the back of work

and tie off.

This completes the 2nd column, which you will

notice is wider than the previous column.

Next lesson I will teach 2 more stitch sequences

for the inside of this column.

I hope you are enjoying

Please feel free to share my lesson series on facebook, blogs, forums or to your Smocking Guilds - I especially love helping SAHM's (Stay-at-home-mom's)learn the art of smocking!

vertical smocking / creating diamonds

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:09:00 +0000

This is the 2nd part of a Smock-a-long series. We are working on a vertically smocked Christmas ornament. If you missed part one, you will need to back up to catch up.
I failed to name the stitch in the previous post and I want to make sure I give you stitch names, as it's important information. Speaking of important information, I want to encourage you to keep a journal for your smocking . It would be great to add a picture of your own smocking as we work along on this project. Within your journal you can make a stitch library so that you can remember each stitch that is taught within this lesson series.
The first stitch taught in vertical smocking is the ladder stitch. We will be working another ladder stitch in green within the red stitching. The ladder stitch in this lesson will create diamonds when completed.

Descriptions will be below each picture.

Begin on the half-space between Row 1 and Row 2

Work an up cable

Flip your work over and now the cable becomes

a down cable. Take your needle to the very next pleat

and up to the next row.

Cable one - make sure thread is coming out

the top of the cable stitch.

Notice we have just worked over 4 pleats

these same 4 pleats will be the only pleats

that will have stitches on them for this side of

the ladder stitch.

Flip your work (invert)

Cable one, leaving the thread coming out

the bottom of the cable stitch

Continue the sequence of the ladder stitch

until you reach the bottom center.

Work a down cable

Do not flip you work - we will now be

working up on the right side.

Take needle up 1/2 space and over to the

very next pleat.

Cable one - leave thread coming up

out of the top of the cable

To create the diamond, slide your

needle up thru the center cable stitch

The center cable stitch will hold your

thread and will complete a diamond.

Take your needle up 1/2 space and over to

the very next pleat and cable one

Continue working that same stitch sequence

all the way up - making sure you slide your

needle thru each of the center cable stitches.

When you reach the top, take your

needle thru the valley just under the top

center cable stitch. Tie off on back.

The finished column should look like this!

A pretty ladder stitch that created diamonds!

Next lesson, I will teach another column style and we will continue making columns in a sequence across the pleated panel.

I hope my instructions are clear and easy to understand, and I hope you are enjoying my

As always, if you have any questions, you can email me - just click on the contact tab and shoot me an email. Comments are always appreciated too! :)

vertical smocking - {getting started}

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:07:00 +0000

Thank you for joining me in a Christmas Ornament

This will be a very graphic-heavy post today as I show the stitches of the entire first row of vertical stitches. One thing to keep in mind; you will be inverting your work often as you work your first vertical row. Note: you will always be working across 4 pleats for this portion of the vertical row.
There are 12 rows pleated - Row 1 and Row 12 are holding rows - you will not be smocking on either of those rows. When I refer to "Row 1", I am referring to the row shown with yellow thread.

Descriptions of the steps will be under each photo.

Begin several pleats from the left edge on Row 2

(Note: First row in white is my holding row,

Row 1 is yellow

Row 2 is Black)

Bring needle up thru the valley of a pleat

then take needle thru the pleat to the left

of the valley.

Bring needle to the next pleat to the right

keep needle horizontal and take a stitch

We will be working in 1/2 spaces

Bring needle down 1/2 space and stitch into

the very next pleat to the right

Cable stitch one

Make sure your thread is coming out of

the bottom of the cable stitch

Notice we have worked across 4 pleats

these will be the only 4 pleats we will

be working on until we reach the

bottom of this stitch sequence.

Invert the pleated fabric (turn it upside-down)

Take needle to the guide row and pick up

the very next pleat to the right

Cable one - make sure the thread

comes out of the top of the cable stitch

Your work should now look like mine

Now invert again

Bring needle down 1/2 space

pick up next pleat to the right

Cable one

Make sure thread is coming out of

the bottom of the cable stitch

Invert the panel

Bring needle to next pleat to the right

and up onto the next row

Cable one making sure thread comes

out the top of the cable as shown

Continue working the stitches vertically

until you reach Row 9

Trellis 4 down to Row 10

Cable One

Trellis 4 up to Row 9

Invert work

Take needle to pleat on the right

Cable one - make sure thread

comes out the bottom of the cable

Invert work - we will now start

working our way back up to the top

to complete this portion of vertical stitches

Working between 4 pleats, alternating,

work the stitches in the same manner that

you worked on the left

Once you reach the top (Row 2)

make sure your thread is coming out

the top of the last cable stitch

Invert and trellis 4 down to Row 1

Cable one

Trellis 4 up to Row 3

Take needle down into the valley

under the cable stitch

Tie off on back of smocking.

Your first line of vertical stitches should

look like mine!

Next lesson will be a diamond design vertically worked within the line just completed!

I would LOVE your feedback on this lesson - please leave your comments!

vertically smocked christmas ornament {smock-a-long}

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:53:00 +0000

Smocked ornaments take a bit of work, but they are ohh sooo beautiful hanging on a Christmas Tree! Oh how I would love to have an entire tree of smocked ornaments someday....or at least a tree full of nothing but handmade ornaments!

Several years ago I smocked this Christmas Ornament completely with vertical smocking. I think it gives a very interesting look compared to horizontal smocking.

Vertical Smocking
(oops! the picture is actually upside-down!)

Vertical Smocking can be defined as smocking that is worked up and down the pleats (photo above) rather than across the pleats (photo below).

Horizontal Smocking

Every time I see smocked ornaments, it inspires me to make more! Today I decided to pleat up some fabric and start working on more smocked ornaments for my tree. While getting everything prepared, I thought this might be a great time to host a smock-a-long!

Feel free to smock-a-long with me as I show my readers how to make a smocked ornament. Since I am going to work another vertically smocked ornament, you will also get to follow along as I teach the vertical smocking stitches that I will be using on my smocked ornament!

To get started, you will need to tear a strip of batiste

6" wide by 44" long.

Purchase some styrofoam balls - I like to use the 3" in diameter size, which I purchased in a 6 pack at Hobby Lobby.

Pleat 12 rows

Tie off rows in groups of 3

Grab several complimenting colors of DMC embroidery floss or use my favorite, DMC Pearl Cotton #8. For some useful info on DMC Pearl Cotton #8 and what size needle I use - click HERE!

Stop back tomorrow for the beginning stitches and please

pass the word to anyone who is interesting in joining

my Smock-a-long!!

31 days of sewing: it's a snap!

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:36:00 +0000

I think my favorite toddler boys garment is a jon-jon.

and I especially like making them reversible.

because you get two darling outfits in one!

If one side gets dirty by crawling in the grass

or sitting in the leaves

or running

or just playing, you can turn it inside out and

have a clean side to wear!

Not all jon-jon patterns are reversible and many don't have a snapped crotch. I don't know about you, but I really don't like taking off a whole jon-jon to change a diaper. I have created an easy tutorial for you that shows how you can make any jon-jon pattern with a reversible crotch. Even if the pattern is not a reversible jon-jon, all you have to do is cut out a 2nd set of pattern pieces and create a reversible side for the jon-jon. It's as easy as that! Before I share the tutorial, I just have to share a few more pics of my grandson, Caleb!

isn't he precious?!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

It's a Snap! tutorial

31 days of sewing: sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Laurie) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 23:39:00 +0000

It's Sunday...

...and it was a beautiful day.

It's been

...and I will be seriously glad

when this

is complete

because I am just plain

of this challenge! LOL!

In November, I will return to

regularly unscheduled

whenever-I-feel-like-it-blogging!

{btw-new tutorial tomorrow}