I have been sewing on several items. I was cleaning out my summer fabrics and pulling out the left over fall. I found several scraps large enough to make something out of and this changed my focus........the below is for Lola.....have not decided how to finish the bottom of the pants.

I also had started some place mats doing free hand quilting on them early summer and they are not close to complete, so put a little time in on those.

The placemats may not get finished until Spring.....they will be just an occasional time out from clothing. I have divided each into 4 triangles and was doing opposites in the same stitch, I have not decided what to do on the other but I really don't think that doing the whole thing in this tight of stitch is what I want. Offer suggestions if you have thoughts.

I thought I was finished with summer sewing and found 1 more t-shirt that Becky(daughter in law) had brought for Nora Ruth(granddaughter), and I had to get it finished. I really had trouble deciding what was appropriate and my husband suggested that I carry on the previous beach theme....and so I did....Yea summer sewing is complete!

I seem to lose focus and jump from one project to another.....must do better.

I have a question for anyone with an answer. When you use the satin/grosgrain ribbons, what do you do to keep them from fraying? I have tried the liquid Fray Check but it darkens the ribbon and after a few washings it's power is gone. Please share secrets.

I have just finished the last of my summer projects. I have spent the day getting the sewing room clean and re-organized so that I can begin the fall season. I spent the last 2 Saturdays shopping to stock the shelves with new fall/winter fabrics. So, I am pumped and ready to begin.

Here are the last 2 summer items for the grandchildren.

The little boy outfit should have been done much earlier but just got side tracked and did not get it. A true old fashion summer suit for the little man.

The strip t-shirt was bought by my daughter -n law the other week and wanted something added to it. Somehow the blue and white just said 'beach' to me. Fun in the Sun.

There was one more outfit that I did not get pictures of before it left the house. Maybe when I receive some, I will get it posted.

I can't wait to get started for all.....please look back to see what I come up with.

I have just completed several new items that I have posted for sale on Etsy, NanaDidIt.Etsy.com. Please take a look if you get a chance and just give me some comments. I am really trying to get started with making custom clothing and need all the help that I can get.

I really want to try and stay with the toddler clothing, but the market seems to be flooded with this size. I am not working for large quantities of the simple "pillowcase dress" type items, but like clothes with different styles and combinations.

I like ideas for boys also but it hard to come up with.

I am thinking about a grouping of hats and bags, maybe even nightgowns and pajamas.

Just brainstorming....

Spring Sewing

I have been very busy this spring. I took the whole month of February to make new draperies for my den. This was a challenge because I have never made window dressings for anything this large. It is a 4 window group, altogether. I had purchased the material for both the drapes and the valance but, after I got them made, I was not pleased with the valance. New fabric and pattern had to be selected and now that project is complete and I am very satisfied.

I then began the spring sewing for the grandchildren. I am posting some of these and some got out the door with out pictures.

This set was for the twins, Lola and Julian. Lola's overalls are crop length with a Giraffe and Julian's are long overalls with a train that wraps around the leg. The applique patterns are from a Martha Pullen applique book. I used the same fabrics in both appliques and they were colorful allowing the almost any color T-shirt.

The tshirts below were purchased and I used a tropical set from Embroidery Library.com for the applique blocks.

The next two appliques were my own creations. Butterfly and Rooster. I created two other versions of butterfly and rooster but let them go out without getting pictures.




This following are simple sundresses. The black and yellow was my first attempt with a pillowcase dress. Very quick to make but looks excellent on.

The peach colored sundress is just a simple self-tied, very similar to the pillocase just a little more tailored. Each of these could be used with or without the ruffle and shortened to be a top with cute long bloomers or shorts.

I have not made many items for little boys. Julian has had quite a few items given to him so the girls are more in need. The set below is out of a soft green seersucker with just a simple turtle on the pocket. The shorts to the set has a working fly and elastic back. The blue shorts are a quick and easy elastic waist with patch pockets and false fly.

The turquoise swing dress is very full. It looks precious on.

I have made this bubble suit several times and it ranges in sizes 1-4. A very cool and comfortable sun suit for the summer.

This red does not show up very well in the picture but it is really a stand-out when on. It is a halter back capri length. I have used the same pattern to make a halter back top and shorts. Love the pattern, it is so easy to make and can be done in patterns, solids, or even with embroidery or applique.

The simple peasant top was made as a sizing sample but it is made with out the elastic in the sleeve to give just the ruffle sleeve. Also, would be a very cool top for the hot summer.

Happy New Year to all. I have been very busy before the holidays and all the family was sick during the holiday. Hopefully we are back on track for the New Year soon.

I did do tons of sewing for the holiday season but most of them went out of the house without pictures.

I was ask to make a bishop smock dress for an upcoming baby. I have completed this and sent this to the newly arrived Ellis Elizabeth Andrews(Ellie). Maybe I will be able to share a picture of Ellie in this dress soon.

I have not updated in several months. I have been very busy and not had time to sew. I am back in the saddle and still experimenting and learning about my new Brother 1500 Embroidery/sewing machine. I find that there are many cute patterns for applique and I really enjoy the creativity that this allows. I have completed several fall items that I shared below. These were done for my 3 grandchildren and when the Moms get me a picture of them I will certainly share that because they will show up much cuter.(I'm just a little proud.)