There in Spirit and Kits!

Many of my sewing friends are gathering in Norfolk, Virginia for the opening day of this year's Smocking Arts Guild of America Convention.

My wonky eyes may keep me from attending in person, but a little of me is there in spirit by way of Wee Care Bonnet kits!

I first shared in this post that I was making kits for these tiny little bonnets.

I completed the pleating, as well as rolling and whipping the narrow lace edging.

A casing was stitched, with ribbon inserted, to gather the back of each tiny bonnet.

During Convention, attendees will be able to simply add a few rows of smocking along the brim, and a beautiful wee bonnet will be completed!

In order for the bonnet to be smocked, each little kit also included a skein of white embroidery floss, ribbon to attach as streamers so the bonnets may be tied under the chin, needles and a sweet surprise!

Normally, I cut heart or flower shapes from craft felt as needle holders.  I recently spied these cute little felt pumpkin cutouts in a craft store and decided they were perfect as needle holders!

Here is one Wee Care Bonnet Kit ready to go!

It joined a stack of others which a dear friend transported to Convention for me.  Fabric, a shabby chic sewing basket, patterns, smocking plates and miscellaneous sewing notions had already been donated and shipped from my store to join other wonderful donations for the fabulous Wee Care raffle basket.  It, along with other baskets overflowing with stitching delights of every type, will be raffled during Banquet on the final night of Convention.    

I wish all my friends safe travels, wonderful moments of learning, fun visiting with old friends, the joy of making new friends, and a winning ticket for your favorite raffle basket!

To my dear readers and friends, I want to say thank you for the continued outpouring of encouragement and support regarding my vision.  The last few days have been exceptionally difficult.  I am afraid the double vision is worsening, instead of improving.  I am adjusting and preparing for possible life altering changes in the near future --  kicking and screaming all the way!  I will not give up seeking solutions.  I simply must accept my life is now different.  I will never be able to express my sincere gratitude to each of you for accompanying me on this journey.

 

Bonnets for Tiny Angels

There has not been much stitching, smocking or blogging lately, as I have rested my eyes per doctor's orders.  However, I have tried to take a few minutes each day and prepare Wee Care bonnet kits for the upcoming national convention of the Smocking Arts Guild of America (SAGA).

These kits will provide everything necessary for members to complete a tiny smocked baby bonnet with a lace edged ruffle.  They need only to smock a simple design across the crown and attach ribbon streamers.

Due to my eye surgeries, I am unable to attend this year's event in Norfolk, Virginia.  Making and donating these kits has helped me feel a little more involved and a little less sad about missing all the fun.

Wee Care is the primary service project of SAGA nationally and through its local chapters.  Our members sew and smock tiny gowns, bonnets and other items for the smallest angels.  These items are then donated to various hospital neonatal intensive care units.

Many times the families have no garments that fit their premature or ill babies.  The gowns, bonnets, and blankets help their child look like a baby by covering frightening tubes and other medical equipment, while still meeting the functional requirements of hospital care.

Many of our gowns and bonnets will, sadly, serve as burial garments.  Others may be kept as a reminder that a special little life ended too soon.  Still others may joyfully be used on those days when babies are healthy, healed and headed home! 

If you wish to read more about SAGA's Wee Care program, please click here

Christening Ensemble Stitched with Love

Can you imagine being an expectant mother and opening a baby shower gift such as this?

You then would discover that your mother had been keeping secrets from you!

For weeks, she had been creating a gorgeous christening gown!

That was not all . . .

as there

 was also a lovely christening coat.

She still was not finished!

A precious bonnet completed the ensemble.

Each stitch filled with love for baby and new mother!

This precious babe will not only be wrapped in the love

of family and God on its special day,

but also wrapped in a special christening ensemble

created with loving hands of a grandmother.

Thank you to a dear customer, Lorrain,

for sharing her gorgeous creation!

Congratulations to her family on the upcoming arrival of a new little one!

Bonnet with Frills Upon It, V

I saved the best for last!

This is my most favorite bonnet pattern.  It is the Little French Bonnet from the Old Fashioned Baby Bonnets pattern.  The pattern is available here and here.

While the back is easily adjusted with a ribbon casing, there is also a back seam which adds a little more shape to the bonnet.  The version in the pattern uses all lace to create the bonnet's fancy band.  To me, this is the perfect place to use a small piece of lovely Swiss embroidery.

I have also made this bonnet using a variety of fabrics.

A few of my favorites have been made with dotted swiss and silk dupioni.  Unfortunately, I am usually clipping the last thread, as I run to the baby shower or post office!  I apologize for the lack of those photographs, but just picture some of the most delectable little bonnets from the most scrumptious fabrics!

Both of the bonnets above are made with Swiss Nelona.

Another method of embellishing the ribbon streamers is shown on the first bonnet.  This ribbon manipulation  is done on the streamer itself.

Measure a piece of ribbon approximately 24" long.

I used 1" wide silk satin ribbon on my bonnet

With a single piece of knotted sewing thread, stitch a row of running stitches 1/8-1/4" from one end of your ribbon. 

Drop down approximately 1-1/2" inches and stitch another row of running stitches.

Drop down another 1-1/2" interval and stitch a third row of running stitches.

Drop down once more and stitch a fourth row of running stitches.

Remember, your thread should match your ribbon.  The orange thread is for photography purposes only!

Gently pull on your thread to gather the ribbon into three petal shaped loops.

Looks like I should have fluffed that little petal on the left a little more!

Take a few anchoring stitches and tie off your thread.

I used a little mother of pearl shank button to help anchor the streamer to the bonnet, and hide any gathering or tacking stitches.

If needed, trim the end of the streamer.  Most of my streamers are approximately 18" long, and cut at an angle to help prevent fraying.

Hoping to see lots of babies in beautiful bonnets this Easter Sunday -- and beyond!

Bonnet with Frills Upon It, IV

As promised, more bonnets!

This bonnet is so simple, but so sweet!  Construction incorporates the basics of heirloom sewing by machine:  joining lengths of lace and Swiss entredeux insertion with a tiny zig zag stitch.  A ruffle of wide Swiss edging, rolled and whipped to the fancy band, frames the baby's face.  A narrow piece of Swiss Nelona is rolled and whipped to the back.   It is then gathered with ribbon run through a narrow casing.

This little bonnet could not be more simple to construct!  It originally was a linen hand towel with a wide cutwork border.  Again, a narrow casing in the back shapes the bonnet.

This was the project in a class taught by Jeannie Baumeister at a past Smocking Arts Guild of America (SAGA) Convention.

The streamers on both bonnets are embellished with silk satin ribbon rosettes -- one of my favorite embellishments!

I normally use ribbon that is approximately 1/2" wide.  Cut a piece of ribbon 9-1/2" long.

Make a mark 1/4" from the end, at the top of the ribbon.

Continue marking the length of the ribbon at 1" intervals.

At the bottom of the ribbon, make another series of marks.

These marks are also 1" apart; however, they are staggered halfway between each of the marks at the top.

Please note that these very large markings are for photography purposes only!  You have no idea how many heart palpitations I had marking this beautiful silk satin ribbon with huge blue blobs!  The blobs may also cause some of the measurements above to appear a little skewed.  Sorry! 

Your marks should be tiny -- just a speck. 

I often just eyeball the measurement, or finger press them into place.

Next, bring the raw ends together and stitch a tiny 1/4" seam.  This is why you placed that first mark at the 1/4" spot.

Again, contrasting orange thread used only for photography.  You will use sewing thread that matches your ribbon.  Some directions for ribbon rosettes instruct you to stitch the seam later in the process.  I have found it is easier to stitch before beginning to gather the rosette.

Use a single thread.  Be sure to knot at both the beginning and the end of the seam.

You don't want your beautiful rosette falling apart!

After stitching and clipping your thread, turn the ribbon circle right side out, and finger press the seam open.

Now, play Dot to Dot! 

Again, using a knotted single thread, connect the dots with running stitches.  Begin stitching at the seam you stitched in the last step.

I have not found that there is any magic to the number or length of stitches.  Normally, I get about 3-4 stitches on the 1/2" width ribbon.

Since the seam is already stitched and finger pressed open, my needle and thread do pierce the seam allowance.  I find that this helps to hold the beginning knot a little more securely.  The stitches also help hold that little seam allowance in place when you begin to form the actual rosette. 

After connecting several of the dots, pull the thread gently to gather the ribbon. You may find the ribbon gathers more easily and smoothly, if you hold your thumb over it while pulling the thread with your other hand.

Continue stitching and connecting the dots.

You should finish connecting the dots at the seam where you began.  Again, my needle and thread pierced the seam allowance on the back.

Gently pull the thread to gather the ribbon in a circle.

Next, take just a nip in the top of each petal.

You will simply be taking your needle and thread through the top of each little peak.

When you have gone all the way around, tug gently to pull the petals together and close the center.

Your rosette will also begin to flatten. You may have to smoosh it a little and help it along!

I usually take a couple of tiny stitches in the center, pulling everything together neatly.

Take the needle and thread to the back and tie off.

You may still need to smoosh or arrange the petals to your liking. 

Yes, I love the word "smoosh"! 

Some of the edges may cup up, and others under.  You are the creator of this rosette, and may determine which way you like best!  I prefer mine to cup under.

Look how beautiful it can be when stitched with matching thread and no blue blobs!

A tiny mother of pearl shank button in the center helps to hide any stitches.

I also use the button to help attach the rosette and the streamers to the bonnet.  A few extra tacking stitches will help to secure and position any stray little petals or gathers.

I hope you also enjoy making beautiful rosettes for sweet little bonnets!

Bonnet with Frills Upon It, III

Have you ever had one of those days?

You just want to stay in bed and pull the covers over your head.

If you do manage to climb out of bed, dress and head for work, you seriously contemplate veering off your normal route and heading straight for the park or countryside? 

Maybe you decide to eat dessert first, or just eat dessert all day long?

Yesterday was one of those days around here.

Instead, I went diving in the depths of my sewing room drawers and found this little bonnet.  I knew that its bright colors and cheerful print would make the sun shine -- even if the sun was hiding behind both real and figurative clouds yesterday.

This is defnitely a different bonnet from the ones shared earlier this week!

It was actually my "muslin"  made several years ago trying a pattern from the March/April 1995 issue of Sew Beautiful.  Looking at it, there are several things I would now do differently.

But I do love the streamer embellishments, and that is what we have been discussing.

I used two layers of cotton organdy and a built-in leaf motif on my sewing machine.  I stitched the leaf out four times -- two leaves for each side of the bonnet.

Trim the leaves close to the outline stitching.  Looks like I could have trimmed a little better in a couple of places, too!  Position on your bonnet and tack in place with a button.

Today, I might select a slightly more dainty button for this project!

The streamers for this bonnet are lengths of the bonnet fabric sandwiched between the outer bonnet fabric and bonnet lining.

When stitching them to the bonnet, I took a small tuck in the streamer.  Taking a tuck in the streamer, whether it is ribbon or fabric, just seems to make make them a little more graceful!

The design of this bonnet makes it possible to flip the brim back, and create a completely different look.  It also allows for the creative use of several coordinating fabrics.  I think it is just as sweet constructed with batiste, dotted swiss or other fine fabrics.

Every now and then we need to venture down a different path.  In coming days, we will return to the land of heirloom sewing, lace and ribbon rosettes. 

Or, I may just stay on this side of the fence and frolic a little longer!

And did you notice?

The little baby wearing this bonnet would have a touch of green on this St. Paddy's Day!

Wishing all of you the luck of the Irish, today and always!

Bonnet with Frills Upon It, II

Another sweet bonnet!  I used a vintage pattern in my personal collection for this little charmer.  Swiss Nelona forms the crown, while a delicate floral lawn forms a scalloped and lace edged brim.

The ribbon streamers are first attached with a single loop of the ribbon.  On top, is a lace rosette centered with an etched mother-of-pearl button.

To form the lace rosette, I begin with a piece of French lace approximately 5" in length.  Part of this will be cut away, but I find it a little easier to hold and manipulate this length of lace. 

The cotton French laces most commonly used in heirloom sewing will have a header made of several threads.  By easing these out at one cut end of the lace and gently pulling, the lace can easily be gathered.

Continue gathering and curling the lace into a circle or rosette.  Using fine thread and needle, the ends of the lace may be stitched into a tiny seam.  I normally use a teeny tiny French seam in order to enclose all raw edges.

Fluff and arrange the gathers to help hide the seam.

Stitch to your bonnet, along with a sweet button. 

Viola!  Another wonderful attachment of bonnet streamers!

Bonnet with Frills Upon It!

  

  I love baby bonnets -- not only at Easter, but throughout the year!

They are one of my favorite baby gifts to make and give.  Even if the new arrival does not wear it  - which I can't image why not - it makes a precious nursery decoration or accessory for her teddy bear or doll!

One of my favorite parts of making a bonnet, is attaching the streamers.  It is one place that my creativity can run free.  It is a perfect place to try new techniques of ribbon or lace manipulation.

  Mother-of-pearl buttons, tiny seed pearls or hand embroidery add a special touch.

The bonnet above is made of white satin batiste, trimmed with French lace and smocked in pink.

The streamers, and the ribbon in the back casing, are pink silk satin ribbon.  This ribbon is my favorite for sweet bonnet streamers.  It is so very soft and holds a bow well, unlike some synthetic ribbons which are very slippery and come untied easily.

This is a fairly simple attachment of double loops, using one end of the streamer itself.  I secured it to the bonnet with a floral shaped mother-of-pearl button.  In the center of the button a small seed pearl is stitched to add just one more touch of sweetness!

Between now and Easter, I will share some of my other favorite bonnets and streamer attachments!

*In response to several inquiries, the smocking design used for this bonnet is included in the Old Fashioned Baby pattern, Smocked Baby Bonnet.  I apologize for omitting this information earlier!*