Design-It-Yourself Giveaway Challenge

Today is our first 

Design-It-Yourself 

Giveaway Challenge!  

Here is how it works: 

Below is a supply list and FREE instructions on how to make a project.  We want YOU to tell us what products from the Martha Pullen Online Store you would use on your supply list to create this piece.  Be as specific as possible because at the end of the week, one lucky person will win all the materials they listed so they can make this project!  Leave your answers in a comment below.

From Precious Baby Daygowns:

Round Yoke Collection

NOTE: Please read through all 

directions before beginning. 

Supplies (as listed in book)

• 1/3 yard lavender mini check gingham (60" wide)

• 2-1/4 yards 5/8"-wide edging lace

• Light purple decorative machine 

embroidery thread

• One white plastic child's hanger

• Sewing machine with embroidery 

capabilities

• White lightweight thread for 

construction

• Lightweight tear-away or water-soluble stabilizer for machine embroidery

• Basic Sewing Supplies

Check purchased hanger for fit and adjust 

pattern as needed.

Embroidery Designs

The machine embroidery on this project may be created using one of your machine's lettering selections or using Monogram Wizard software, available from Martha Pullen Company. The selected design measures 1-9/16" x 3-7/16".

If you prefer to embroider the hanger by hand, write the chosen name in script and complete the embroidery using a stem stitch. Refer to the Stitch Library on page 116 for hand embroidery instructions and illustrations.

Cutting 

Trace a full pattern piece onto tissue paper and transfer all necessary markings. 

From lavender gingham, cut the following:

• One Hanger Cover for back

• One rectangle 8" x 16" for embroidered front

• One ruffle strip 1-5/8" x 2 yards (strip may be pieced)

From edging lace, cut a 5" strip for the top opening of the hanger cover.

Directions

Embroidery

1. Fold the 16" x 8" gingham rectangle in half vertically and horizontally. Mark the center of the rectangle (Fig. 1).

2. Trace Hanger Cover on rectangle, centering marks. Mark 1/2" seam allowances inside previous tracing. Your embroidery design must fit inside the seam allowance markings (Fig. 2).

3. Choose a font and letters using monogramming software or built-in embroidery machine font. If you are not sure if your design will fit in the area provided, make a template prior to embroidering the gingham fabric. Refer to the technique, Creating an Embroidery Template. NOTE: If your machine does not have embroidery capabilities, hand embroider the design of your choice or write the name in script with a wash away pen and hand 

embroider.

4. Stabilize, hoop, and embroider the design referring to your embroidery machine manual.

5. Remove stabilizer and press gingham on wrong side on a padded surface.

6. Retrace Hanger Cover on rectangle, if necessary, centering embroidered design, and cut (Fig. 3).

Construction

1. Right sides together, sew hanger cover front to back on one side only with a 1/2" seam (Fig. 4). 

Press seam allowance open.

2. Pull the uppermost heading from a 5" strip of edging lace and refer to Machine Heirloom Techniques, Lace to Fabric to stitch the lace to the hanger top, adjusting gathers to fit.

3. Refer to Machine Heirloom Techniques, Lace to Fabric, and stitch the remaining edging lace to one long edge of the gingham ruffle strip.

4. Straight stitch (L=5.0) 3/8" from unfinished long edge of ruffle strip and again 5/8" from un-

finished edge.

5. Pull gathers up to fit ruffle strip to lower edge of hanger cover (Fig. 5).

6. With right sides together, stitch ruffle strip to lower edge of hanger cover (L=2.5) with 1/2" seam. Trim seam allowance to 1/4". Zigzag, overcast or serge stitch seam allowance. Press ruffle away from hanger cover.

7. Right sides together, stitch hanger cover front to back on remaining side, catching lace and ruffle strip in stitching (Fig. 6). 

Turn and press. Insert hanger. 

Now, comment below what YOU would use in your supply list from Martha's Online Store!

*Total not to exceed $200*

Our Reversible Bonnet Tutorial at Sew, Mama, Sew!

Our friends at Sew, Mama, Sew! are celebrating two weeks of Baby Shower goodness, and we are thrilled that they asked us to be a part of it! Head on over for a free tutorial on this super-sweet reversible baby bonnet, courtesy of our Martha Pullen Company president Kathy MacMakin. Be sure to enter to win a print from Belle & Boo while you're there.

We have also prepared bonnet kits for you in both red and green, available in our online store for just $8.00 each. Grab one or two to make your own cute bonnets! They're the perfect go-to baby gift.

Esther's Bishop and Bonnet Set

Today we have a charming bishop and bonnet set to share with you, made by reader Esther Grant of Keswick, Virginia. We think this little size 6 month pair is just the sweetest for spring or summer, with its ruffled sleeves and bonnet for a baby girl!
Esther tells us that the pattern and smocking are from "Bishop Trio" by Creative Keepsakes. The bonnet is Laura Ashley, McCall's M4424. Fabric is Imperial Micro Chex, Melon, and the trim on sleeves is edging cut from satin ribbon.
Thank you for sharing with us, Esther. Readers, don't forget to send us pictures of your creations to blog@sewbeautifulmag.com!

April Designer of the Month: Jeannie Baumeister of The Old Fashioned Baby

Fans, we're so excited to announce that, in this season best known for heirloom, our featured designer of the month for April is Jeannie Baumeister of The Old Fashioned Baby. Jeannie has been teaching, designing patterns and publishing under her business for nearly 20 years, and has been gracing the pages of Sew Beautiful with her beautiful work and and techniques for most of that time as well. Her exquisite designs exemplify everything that we love about heirloom, and we are thrilled to share some of her insight with you today! Don't forget to check out Jeannie's website, The Old Fashioned Baby, where you can purchase her patterns and books as well as other supplies; and her blog is not to be missed (oldfashionedbaby.blogspot.com), where she shares techniques and projects on a regular basis. For now, on with the interview!

Dress featured above was seen in Sew Beautiful and is made from the Emma's Smocked Baby Dresses pattern from The Old Fashioned Baby

SB: Jeannie, thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions that we can share with our readers! Let's start out with the usual -- tell us a little bit about yourself.
Jeannie: As the daughter of a career Air Force Officer, I grew up traveling around the country. I guess the longest I lived any one place was Newfoundland because my father had two tours of duty there. I loved the gypsy life. I settled down in Baton Rouge when my husband took a job with LSU 24 years ago. Five of my six children are grown. One son is still in high school and I am blessed with 7 Grandchildren, five of them girls.

SB: Just for fun, what are some of your interests and/or hobbies outside of sewing?
Jeannie: Roses!! I love growing roses although I am a bit of a haphazard gardener. I love the antique, easy to grow roses. No surprise that I would love antique roses, I guess. I love to read and always have a book going. I am a Christian and I love Bible Study groups.

SB: Favorite food?
Jeannie: Well, all I am thinking about eating right now is Lamb for Easter. And we have Yorkshire pudding with it. I love them both.

Dress featured above was seen in Sew Beautiful and is made from the Baby's Smocked Layette pattern from The Old Fashioned Baby

SB: Okay, enough with the silly business and on to our real questions! How long have you been sewing, and more specifically, how long have you been involved in heirloom sewing and smocking?
Jeannie: I come from a sewing family so I didn't think you could be a 'real' woman until you owned a sewing machine. For me, that was at age 18. I smocked my first dress for my baby daughter who is now 37, so I have been doing this a long time. I parade that little treasure before my Smocking Students to encourage them to see the beauty in what they are doing and not find fault in their work. My skills have increased with time.

SB: Tell our readers a little bit about your business, The Old Fashioned Baby, and its history.
Jeannie: I love babies and I love old baby clothes so it was the perfect combination to have a business designing baby clothes. I consider myself a designer first of all. I love designing. But I started my business teaching locally and making special order baby clothes. My Pattern business began around 1991 when I designed my own patterns to look like the old baby clothes I loved. I used my designs in magazine articles and people wanted to purchase them, so I printed them to sell. My first patterns were printed in 1992 I think.

Bubble pictured above is from Sweet & Simple Bubbles and Bonnets pattern from The Old Fashioned Baby

SB: From where would you say you get your inspiration for your sewing projects, patterns and designs?
Jeannie: Old Baby clothes are the biggest inspiration for me. Generous students and friends share their family treasures along with their antique shop finds with me and for this I am grateful. I know a lot of very nice people, I am lucky that way! Old embroidered linens and vintage books and magazines are also a wonderful field of inspiration.  

Set pictured above was seen in Sew Beautiful and is made from the Old Fashioned Baby Layette pattern from The Old Fashioned Baby

SB: As a talented seamstress, teacher and business owner, how do you balance work and play when it comes to sewing and being creative?
Jeannie: Any woman will tell you that is the most difficult part. My priorities might be different from another business owner. The creative process is the most important to me and I put that first. Next, I work from deadline to deadline. What ever is up next is what I work on. It might be an upcoming class to teach or a pattern I am trying to get to the printer. I do tend to avoid the parts I don't like until I can't put them off any longer, like paper work!! And I never stop my creative process. Creativity sparks more creativity. When I am working on a design for a new pattern or article I always get sidetracked with ideas that come from the design I am currently working on. Often , the ideas enhance the current project but sometimes they have nothing to do with it. I just let myself flow in another direction and keep the notes and drawings I make. I have learned that if try to keep myself on track, it squelches my creative juices. Sometimes I can't wait to finish what I'm currently doing so I can begin working on my new ideas. In fact, I almost always begin the new project I am excited about before I have finished the current one. I also have a big box full of my ideas and designs that I have never used. I'm afraid that I am more of a dreamer than a doer!! I love ideas!! And I have more than I can ever really do.

Bib pictured above is from Jeannie's book, Jeannie B's Book of Heirloom Embroidery Designs & Stitches

SB: You have a distinctly heirloom style of sewing that many of us would love to master. How would you describe the process you go through when planning and sewing a unique garment that incorporates heirloom styles and techniques?

Jeannie: I am a visual person and I need to see it what it will look like so I draw it first. I usually draw several variations of the garment I want to make so I can see how they will look using different sleeves or hem styles. Once I know the style I want, I choose the fabric and lace. I pull out bolts of lace and fabric and eliminate the ones I don't like until I have the look I want. But I do tend to design as I go and change my mind in the process if it doesn't look like I thought it would. That is why I never have a problem adding to my 'collection' of lace. I like to have a variety to choose from. If you live near a "brick and mortar" shop it will be so much easier for you because you can see the different fabric and laces together before making a decision. In construction, I am a firm believer in basting. All the vintage clothing we admire was not slapped together. It was carefully basted to make sure it didn't shift when it was stitched. Sometimes pins will do the trick (called pin basting) but often you will be wise to baste the lace to the fabric before stitching. Practice a technique before you use it on your garment. The time and money are well worth it.

Pictured above: Jeannie's first smocked dress!

SB: What would your advice be for a true beginner of heirloom sewing who wants to learn more, but isn't sure where to start?
Jeannie: First I will tell them that heirloom sewing is easy! Anyone can do it. And you must use quality materials. It can make a big difference in how a technique turns out, not to mention the overall look of the finished garment. The worst thing you can do is to buy cheap materials to practice on. If a class is available, take it. Classes are the best way to learn! If you can't get away for a class then purchase a book that shows the heirloom techniques (you can never have too many books) and a tried and true pattern and start with a small project. This could be an embellished yoke or a bonnet. Be sure to use a light weight thread when sewing fine fabric. Find other like minded people to sew with.

SB: What are some of your favorite go-to sewing tools?
Jeannie: 1. My See-Thru rulers. I have three sizes. My favorite size is 18"X2". I use it for both designing and sewing. 2. A Thimble. I use a thimble and encourage every sewer to use one. 3. And the Blue wash-out marking pens. I would have to give up sewing with out those three items.

Pictured above: Sweet & Simple Daygown, which Jeannie will be teaching at the upcoming SAGA National Convention

SB: What about some of your favorite sewing resources (publications, websites, individuals, etc.)?
Jeannie: Well, I have to have Sew Beautiful magazine! It is my favorite. I like Australian Smocking and Embroidery magazine too. I must see them both as soon as they come out! Any book is a great sewing resource. You need a library of sewing book. As I said before, you can't have too many books. I have recently discovered the "Blog World" and there is a lot of inspiration there. I now have a blog called "The Old Fashioned Baby Sewing Room". I am showing lessons about some of the techniques needed to sew children's clothing. I want people to see how easy it is to sew for children. I will mention only one individual blog here and that is Southern Matriarch. Martha who is the creator helped me set up my own blog. I could not have done it without her. Her Heirloom Blog is one that stands out!

SB: Any last words of advice for our readers?
Jeannie: Yes. Be Bold!! Don't be timid or afraid to make mistakes. If you are, you will not progress in your stitching. Make that challenging garment that you are longing to do. Read all the instructions, ask questions and stitch it. When you are finished put it on your child and be happy with it! Other people will only see the beauty of your child in the little garment made of love. And NEVER point out your mistakes!

SB: Jeannie, thanks so much for taking the time to answer all of our questions. We loved hearing what you had to say and know our readers will too!

Don't forget to visit Jeannie at her website and on her blog, and be sure to check back next month for our May Designer of the Month!

Tag Binky Directions

Cut two 17" squares of fleece.

Cut 28 different pieces of trim or ribbon 4" long.

On one square, mark the center and embroider as desired. Be sure to top with a tear-away or dissolving stabilizer so threads don't sink into the pile.

Fold over each piece of 4" ribbon to form a 2" tag. On right side of fleece, pin each tag (raw edges of tag to raw edge of fleece) along edge of second square, seven tags to each side.

Using a 1/2" seam allowance, stitch around outside edge of fleece square to attach tags.

Place embroidered square and "tag" square right sides together. Sew around outside edge following previous line of stitching on "tag" side. Leave a small opening for turning binky right sides out.

Trim corners, turn binky right sides out, push out corners and hand stitch opening closed.

Tag Binky

Whenever a friend is expecting a baby, I whip up one of these tag binkies. Babies love them. They're a great way to use up small pieces of trim and ribbons; just make sure everything is washable, and avoid any trims with beads or sequins or those that could come apart, like ones with rows of motifs that are joined with just a thread or two; you know how babies like to teethe on things. Mix and match different colors and textures. Invariably the baby will latch on to one special tag, so I'm told. I usually machine embroider one side with the baby's name, if I know what it's going to be, or you can pick any fun, juvenile motif. Use solid fleece on one side and a print on the other if you like. If you don't machine embroider, just pick out a fleece print for both sides. Directions will follow in next post.