Category Archives: Nana fun

Irresistible

Posted on November 20, 2014 | 4 comments

 

V store bought smocked close

Available from CiaoBebeBoutique    Now I see that it is offered in pink and with sleeves.

 

I did not make this dress.  It was ordered from CiaoBebeBoutique and I love it. When I saw it posted on Pinterest, I found it to be irresistible.

c9785395487876a52079168a280d37f4 Continue reading →

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Posted in girls, hand embroidery, Nana fun, smocking

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Toddler Harvest Dress and Gingerbread Houses

Posted on November 17, 2014 | Leave a comment

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This little top was made for toddler granddaughter Vivian Rose to wear to her brother’s kindergarten Thanksgiving program and then to Thanksgiving dinner.

It is another Children’s Corner Jane, my current go-to pattern, especially for garments which have a limited wearing season.  It is so quick and easy.

Jane patt

The cute little pocket is a free pattern creation of Children’s Corner designer Lezette Thomason.  The top will be paired with a pair of snug black or orange leggings.  These are still required for our little darling who can be counted on to release the velcro on her cloth diaper and remove it but for this wardrobe addition.  “Naked Baby” is her signature fashion statement.

It has been more than two weeks since a new Janice Ferguson Sews post has appeared, but not because I have done no sewing.  Enormous, terribly frustrating computer problems have plagued me as I struggled through two computers-my old one and then a defective new one.   This third one (second new) seems to be functioning well so now I am back to blogging.   Hurrah!

NANA FUN

4gingerbread kidscr

Houses feature Golden Graham roof shingles, caramel chimneys and pillar posts, and two yellow landing lights on a roof.

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Posted in Basic no-embroidery Machine Projects, girls, Holiday Projects, Nana fun

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Seaside Madeira Table Linens

Posted on September 18, 2014 | 9 comments

placemat

Making these table linens was a nice break from sewing for my granddaughters. Fine white linen is paired with lime green and embroidered with a fun blue fish. This color combination reminds me of the beach, just 30 miles away.

Sitting on the screened breakfast porch, looking out over our front yard with this table setting made me just as happy that I was not roasting on Daytona Beach and scanning the waterfront for sharks. It’s very peaceful on my porch. I enjoy pulling out dishes and napkins that coordinate with the setting.

Linen is one of my favorite fabrics and Madeira applique’ is one of my favorite sewing techniques. Add pinstitching and embroidery–well, just let me tell you I was having a big time! I never once missed lace or a girlie angle. If there is any interest, I would be happy to put up a Madeira applique tutorial. Let me know if you would find that helpful. Continue reading →

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Posted in heirloom sewing, machine embroidery, Madeira applique, Nana fun, uncategorized

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Tutorial: Disney Project & Fun for All

Posted on August 14, 2014 | 1 comment

 

I’m getting ready to post some new garments I made using a few of  the delightful new Disney designs.  They have really updated the characters and created very contemporary designs.  I stitched a new Minnie on CC Callie, Ariel on a two piece play set, and Nemo on a beach scene baby outfit.

With the new Brother machines being introduced there is a lot of  Disney excitement.  I thought you might enjoy this old post with my daughter’s tutorial for her castle pin/bulletin board.   This is a great back-to-school activity for kids and parents.

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It was a fabulous weekend, full of fun.   Rebecca had a project in mind so after the downtown Mardi Gras Dog Parade (details below the tutorial), this is was our family project.  It really is useful to anyone, young and old.  It would be great for teachers.

What is it for, you might ask?  Well, read her explanation below. Continue reading →

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Posted in Nana fun, Tutorials, uncategorized

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Pooh and Alastair

Posted on May 30, 2014 | 10 comments

It’s been such a long time since I have posted, but I’ve been having too much fun with 5 yo grandson Alastair to sit still and write.  He  has been with us for 10 delightful days.   More on that below.

 

Pooh suit

 

Meanwhile, I did manage to sew up a little suit using a commercial pattern.  You know how those 5 for $7 patterns from  Joann’s stack up.  As always, I was in a hurry and grabbed the first one which would work.  I should have looked through my Children’s Corner and Michie patterns.  Some modification was needed to meet my vision for a fully lined project. Continue reading →

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Posted in boys, Disney, machine embroidery, Nana fun

Easter Bunny Lunch~Casual Garments

Posted on April 23, 2014 | Leave a comment

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I hope you all had a joyful Easter.  We had a beautiful weekend-long celebration with a houseful of laughing adult children and grandchildren.  Our daughter, Rebecca, her family and our son Ryan’s family were here.  He is a pilot and, sadly, was unable join us.  We’re happy that he loves his work, but we miss him at so many family gatherings.

 

sandwiches

 

Friday night, while taking a break from my sewing, I made more than 100 little raisin bread/cream cheese/jelly sandwiches for Saturday’s Bunny Lunch at church.  My dear, helpful husband sat with me and cut away the crusts from 5 loaves while I spread the filling.  The sandwiches were topped with cream cheese carrots sprinkled with a little orange sugar which pleased the children.

 

tie design from Linnie Pinnie, with single bunny from

Tie design from is Linnie Pinnie, with single bunny extracted from Bernina’s Warm Wishes from Ingrid collection.

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Posted in church projects, girls, heirloom sewing, machine embroidery, Nana fun, uncategorized

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Happy Easter!

Posted on April 20, 2014 | 4 comments

 

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…that’s what we had.  I hope yours was joyful and happy, filled with family and friends and children all around.

I completed all my sewing, made up more than one hundred raisin bread/cream cheese/jelly sandwiches for the church bunny lunch, finished all the cooking for Easter dinner and spent a joy filled weekend surrounded by all four grandchildren and other family members.  It was a beautiful Easter celebration.

They’ve all gone home now and the house is quiet.  The baby isn’t jabbering non-stop or slipping off to play in the dogs’ water bowl.  The boys are not running in and out of the house, laughing and slamming screen doors.  Laurel isn’t scurrying around, helping in the kitchen or chasing after Vivian Rose.  My adult children and spouses are not laughing and joking with one another.  Bob and I are not sharing smiles of understanding and appreciation as our eyes meet across the room.

I hope your Easter was as special.  And I hope you are not as exhausted as I am.

Psst...that's not really me.

Psst…that’s not really me.

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Posted in Nana fun

Kid $ewing

Posted on January 14, 2014 | 16 comments

 

My 9 year old granddaughter continues to expand the product line for her little business, Laurel’s Specialty Sewing.  After introducing monogrammed tote bags, she added the service of sewing Girl Scout patches on the vests of her fellow Scouts ($ .50 per patch, monofilament thread, free motion sewing).  This product and service has proven to be very profitable.  She recently bought an American Girl doll with money she earned.

Now Laurel is promoting a new item in her line.  The simple felt hangings are destined for the upcoming Girl Scout Camporee.  The girls bring little items to trade, momentos of the event or trinkets, such as  these for an event they call SWAPS–Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere.

Continue reading →

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Posted in Kids Sew, machine embroidery, Nana fun

Quick and Easy Gifts

Posted on December 27, 2013 | 6 comments

Nana Fun:  This is 9 yo Laurel’s note to Santa. With grandchildren, there is always something to smile about.  Like the fact that her house does have a fireplace and a chimney.  Was she messing with ol’ Santa?

L santa note~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3 towels jars

recipe designs from Embroidery Library, raspberries from Ace Points Raspberries, strawberries from Ace Points Strawberry Delight

Many of you know this blog was down for almost two weeks before Christmas.  Because of that, there is a backlog of sewing projects waiting to be shared.

With a long list of recipients and a month-long variety of unexpected demands on my time, it was apparent that the gifts must be quick and easy.  Nothing is faster than machine embroidery on a  ready made item so most of my gifts were of that kind.  Many were towels from All About Blanks.

 

gingerbread towel

gingerbread recipe design from Hatched in Africa’s Winter Recipes

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Posted in embroidery blanks, Holiday Projects, machine embroidery, Nana fun, recipes

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Stocking Gallery

Posted on December 11, 2013 | 5 comments

stocking gina all

a quick charity fundraiser project

Where’s Waldo?  Where has www.janicefergusonsews.com  been?  According to my savvy son-in-law, the problem was with my server. Humphhhh, no tip for this server. But this blog is back and so am I and I have so much to share with you.

While the blog was down, I have been doing a lot of sewing.  Many of the Christmas projects are finally finished and ready for the big day. 

Do you all make a lot of stockings?  Have you made one for each member of the family?  Do you enjoy stitching these?  It seems everywhere I look in the sewing world, stockings are being cranked out in great numbers.  It seems some families like to purchase or make new stockings each year. 

It’s a one-time shot for the Fergusons.  In this family, you get one stocking and you darn well better like it.  Or you can get your own from Cracker Barrel or WalMart. No do-overs from me.

Alastairstocking

Because I make just one, well except for grandson  Alastair’s temporary stocking.  But that was a special situation.

AlChristmastockingwhole Continue reading →

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Posted in Holiday Projects, machine embroidery, Nana fun, serger

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