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Gossamer Threads is the name of my little sewing business. To me it brought to mind the thought of fine, delicate threads carefully woven in beautiful designs. I am gearing up to make some one of a kind bonnet & bootie sets to sell on ebay, maybe with matching bibs and blankets. I have been collecting precious babay fabric for a few years ago, and it's time to put it to use. For now, my favorite projects are below.
The newest is a baby dress in white Swiss flannel with a pink scalloped
applique hem, bullion rosebuds and roses, embroidered lace beading threaded
with silk ribbon at the cuffs, and a lace ruffled neckline and cuffs,
with a matching bonnet & booties & a slip. These were made as
a gift for my Aunt Marilyn who gave them to a co-worker who just had a
baby girl. Aunt Marilyn introduced me to sewing as a child, when she made
matching outfits for my sister Alison
& I. Then when I was a senior in high school, she took me to the
fabric store and let me pick out my prom
gown (a red satin strapless tea length dress with a square cut out
in the back and purse & shoes dyed to match.) She bought the material,
and had it made for me by a sweet lady, Mrs. Range, who Grandma also hired.
I think I look a little like Aunt Marilyn in the picture.
Back then I had hardly attempted any sewing except to make a few little
purses to hold cosmetics. I never thought about taking sewing in school,
but don't know why. I never sewed until I hand made my mom a nightgown
for her birthday and she bought me a sewing machine right after that for
my 19th birthday. Then I made baby clothes for Eden (she was one year
old!) and a few for me (poufy Laura Ashley Jumpers were my favorite!)
Sewing for Eden led me to attempt my first smocked
dress, which introduced me to French Heirloom Sewing. One day, in
Boulder I came across a sewing program called Martha's
Sewing Room (I was planning my wedding at that time) and suddenly
I was hooked on heirloom sewing. Now you know the history of my sewing
interest. Thrills! (Can't help but include the critical side comments)
Office
Chair Slip Cover Antique Embroidered Table
Cloth with a Skirt of William Morris Reproduction Fabric Strips
and some antique lace trim. Amy
Butler Swing Bag in Alexander Henry's Sisters of the Wild Frontier
Fabric hand beaded detail on fabric. iPod
Case: Our
Christmas Tree Skirt William Morris fabrics in Victorian crazy patch
with hand beading and embroidery left:
Carly's Dress & Bib Flower
girl dresses for Stephanie's wedding Jewelry Purses Santa & an Elf (a cool thing about the
Elf Overalls - knowing he was a growing boy - I made it extra
long with facing in the cuffs, and with plenty of strap - he wore
it every year into his teens)
I love my iPod - I jog with it, carrying it in my hand because it
shouldn't be shaken up, and I keep lots of photos on it and some
favorite movies. But my case didn't hold the ear phones or the AV
cord, which I like to bring along when I want to show photo slide
shows when I'm out and about. Naturally, nothing I saw was cute
or free enough for me, so I made my own.
The
picture pocket holds the ear phones, the tan pocket holds the AV cord.
I fussy cut the panels because I thought the symmetry was much more
appealing. The beads are for bling! I
finished it July 3, 2006
Right:
French Memo Board with Wutherig Heights fabrics by Three Sisters.
I LOVE this fabric!
Halloween
Table Runner
Left
and Above are of Mom Jean's Christmas Stocking in Velvet and Han Smocked
Embroidered Ivory Batiste
The
surrounding pictures are of the Bradley Beach 1st grade class in their
Christmas (oops! "Holiday") Show costumes.
This
is a purse I made for my girlfriend out of an old pair of Trip's jeans.
It is lined with vintage paisley fabric, trimmed with a silk ribbon
R stitched down with a row of seed beads. All made with items I had
at home!
A
Swiss Flannel baby dress
for Hanna Rose
Hand
embroidered bullion roses &
an appliqued hem
A
A cowboy baby set
with a romper, reversible jacket, bib & blanket. featuring shadow
work embroidery and matching bias binding. 
in Baby Blue Swiss Flannel with antique laces and hand embroidery
right: Meredith modeling Sophia's dress
11 - 07- 1997
for my bridesmaids & me
in Silk Dupionni with Silk Ribbon Embroidery
in Silk Dupionni &
English Netting Lace
with Pearls
in Baby Whale Cotton
(r) Zoe's Bubble
in Broadcloth
Coming home outfit
in Swiss Flannel
&
Crib Quilt & Sheet
in Pima Cotton Broadcloth
in Wool & Silk
- my biggest project!
Engagement gift
for the
Ocean Grove Flower Shop
The links below are some very handy sewing links or they represent some nice businesses I've dealt with over the years.
Embroidery
- Country Bumpkin publishers of Inspirations magazine and some of the finest books on embroidery I've ever seen.
- Anne Powell Ltd. Very nice gifts and cross stitch for those who love sewing
Quilting
- Equilter.com Really nice selection of quilting fabrics on an easy to search site. I've even got a wishlist up here - hint hint!
- Sensibility Patterns - Lovely reproduction patterns from Titanic Era, Edwardian Times, 1914, made for today's bodies.
- Heirloom patterns for Boys - Yes, there are adorable sweet baby clothes patterns for boys - too bad you can't get away with dressing them like this once they are beyond age 2
- ReproDepot Fabrics - nice reproduction vintage fabrics.
- Bernina ONLINE - They make the best sewing machines in the world. After sewing on one at my job I couldn't go back to my Kenmore. It was like driving an old Volkswagen after riding in a Rolls Royce.
- Sewbaby! Homepage - This site has lots of patterns for baby clothes and accessories.
- Martha Pullen - Martha Pullen is one of the best known heirloom sewing enthusiasts in the country. It was by seeing her television program that this whole world of fine sewing was opened to me. She sells books fabrics and notions along with offering classes.
- Lily Abello's Sewing Resource Guide - This site has a huge number of sewing links of all types - categorized and cross referenced. Historical patterns, costumers, professionals, dream sewing rooms, fabrics - you name it.
- Welcome to Farmhouse Fabrics - This site has very nice quality fabrics - and was able to find things I couldn't find ANYWHERE! Fine baby whale corduroy, Swiss flannels, striped piping, antique buttons and more.
- Heirloom Sewing, Smocking and Bridal at Baltazors - I actually haven't bought anything from them yet, but they have very nice laces and fabrics.
- G Street Fabrics - This store is the largest retail fabric
store I have ever seen. They do mail order, but it's worth the trip
some day to see it in person.
(301) 231-8960 - Mini Magic Inc. - Sells heirloom fabric cleaning supplies
3918 Patricia Dr., Columbus, OH 43220
614-457-3687 - Nostalgic Needle Works - Heirloom Fabrics& Notions
5763 Airport Blvd., Mobile, AL 36608
(800) 699-0991 - Quilting Possibilities
- A big quilt shop and Bernina Dealer
Jim & Debbie Welch, 500 US Highway No 9, Bayville, NJ 08721
(732) 269-8383 - Stitch N Sew
- Huge selection of fabric, buttons, and upholstery fabrics & supplies
123 E. County Line Road, Lakewood, NJ 08701
(908) 363-2220
