Kathy Nimmer's Tactile Christmas Gift

I made a table runner for my friend, Kathy, for Christmas. Since she is blind, I wanted it to be as tactile as possible. I was so pleased with how it turned out.

I love fabrics designed by Michael Miller and had bought this bird fabric with my mother in mind. Fabric.com had it included in its holiday fabrics, and while unusual, I could see why. It also seemed to me that it could also be a year-round fabric, too.

Pairing it with a mint green polka dot fabric (which could also go year-round), I got busy.

 I was so pleased with the finished sewn piece! But how to make it tactile for Kathy?

At first I explored adding tiny jingle bells placed around the inside border of the two fabrics, but I rejected that idea - since she could not see them, there was a high likelihood that she might inadvertently set something on them causing whatever that was to fall over. Then I had a great idea, remembering my own adage to my students that often "less is more."

I added a nice fluffy tassel to the point at each end of the table runner with a large jingle bell right above it. Perfect! Still tactile but not something she would have to worry about!

Kathy loved the table runner (and the crocheted bell ornament with a fabric flower and jingle bell, also tactile, that I gave her.) She sent me this text later that evening.

When I was little, I did not understand the saying, "It is better to give than to receive." I do now, and it is so very true.

When Modesty Calls - Altering a Wedding Dress

Because I can sew, I occasionally get asked to help someone with alterations. That scares me to death, especially when it is for a special occasion - a prom dress or wedding dress.

But I also respect and honor that request when it is so the wearer can be modest, and I feel that, since I have the ability to help her, I need to do so.

But I find wedding dresses the scariest of all.

When my friend, Lisa Connolly, asked me to look at her daughter's dress and see if I could bring the neckline up a bit and then fix the gapping neckline, I was concerned. I was afraid that the entire bodice would need to be picked apart and redone. Possibly even cutting off fabric. I explained that, while I would look, I could not promise anything.

At first, the only option I could see was taking apart the bodice. But as I looked, I realized that I might be able to close that gap by creating a small fold in the fabric over the zipper and adding a hook and eye.

I pinched the fabric together with my fingers to see how it would look and it worked!

 So I marked the area with a pin and stitched in an eye.

Success! While the eye is visible, the bride will have a veil on for part of the time and when she does not, people will have to be looking closely to see it. The bride said she was happy with that, and so that problem was solved.

As for the bust, I folded a small amount of fabric into a rectangle and stitched it into the V of her neckline. There was still a little gap in the fabric, so I made a very tiny tuck where it could not be seen and that took care of that issue. The fabric matched the dress perfectly, and honestly, it looked like it was really a part of the dress and not an alteration for modesty.

Two sittings, one to assess possibilities and figure out needed supplies (that took an hour) and another to do the work (two hours.) The bride put her dress on and off about ten to twelve times but she was very patient about it and so happy with how it looked when I finished.

I feel a lot less stress now that the alterations to the dress are done!

Mila and Kate's Christmas Pillowcases

I just finished Mila and Kate's Christmas pillowcases.

Mila's is on the left and Kate's is on the right.

I love Michael Miller's fabrics!

Mila and Kate's Thanksgiving Pillowcases

Yeesh! I almost forgot to make these for the girls! And when I went fabric shopping, both at brick and mortar stores as well as online, there was NOTHING available. Luckily, their mamas liked what I had on hand.

Mila is getting the green on the left, and Kate the "Gobble Wobble" on the right.

I will mail Kate's today or tomorrow and hand deliver Mila's since she lives just across the river.

Thinking ahead, I asked the mamas about Christmas fabric choices, and have those cut out, matched to thread, and ready to sew.

Susan's Blessing Dress

I finished my sewing project!

I made our most recent grandchild, Susan, a blessing gown.

This photo with the light change shows the detail of the lace better. I especially like the scalloped lace where the bodice and the skirt meet and at the hem.

We are heading down to Tennessee soon to deliver it and for Susan's blessing. I can't wait to see it on her.

Mila's and Kate's Halloween Pillowcases

I love sewing holiday pillowcases for my grandchildren. I just finished the Halloween pillowcases for Mila and Kate.

Mila is getting the pumpkins and the owls are for Kate.

It's just the end of September, but the holiday fabrics are out. I need to go look for some Thanksgiving fabric now!

Cambria & Titan - Back to School Pillowcases

Jessica asked me if I would make her kids pillowcases for back to school. Her reasoning? It's a long time between the 4th of July and Halloween, and she wanted pillowcases for the time in between the two holidays. I was happy to oblige, although there is not a big selection in fabric for back to school.

 I took a big chance on Titan's. It was a panel for decorating, but its measurements were right, so I crossed my fingers and bought a panel.

 And I love how it turned out! This may be one of my all-time favorite pillowcases.

Cambria got a pink fabric with owls and school supplies on it.