little lambs daygown
The day after we were told that our first grandchild was on its way, I began sewing. Of course, it takes some time for the amazing prenatal ultrasound images to identify the baby’s gender and I had no time to wait on the pink or blue designation.
Of course, I had a sizable grandmother’s hope chest ready to go. But there were very few things for a baby boy and I didn’t want to come up short if we had a grandson. So I was in a rush. Continue reading
Posted in heirloom sewing, infant clothing, smocking
Tagged daygown, gender neutral, smocked, smocking
little goat girl and grumpy little guy
Visions of  a “goat dress” had been dancing in my head for many years. In 1985, after purchasing Sarah Howard Stone’s first book, French Handsewing, I studied it with a passion. One page, in particular, spoke to me. It showed row after row of antique laces, including what I call goat lace. I had to have some of this.
antique “goat” lace
 At that time, I was in the middle of my Mother Earth phase. Perhaps some readers recall the publication, The Mother Earth News, or Carla Emery’s Old Fashioned Cook Book. These were daily reading for me.
On our 3 acres stood a 50 year old, formerly upscale, two-room chicken house, where our cocky Rhode Island Red rooster and his girls bunked. The adjoining room housed a gaggle of geese and a few white Peking ducks.  Next door to the water fowl was the pony. Her stall looked out over our 60’ x 60’ vegetable garden and adjacent to that was the goat mansion, my favorite place in the world except for my sewing room.
Posted in antique textiles, Binche Lace, girls, heirloom sewing, lace tape, smocking, techniques
Tagged Binch lace, bishop dress, colored entredeux, lace tape, smocking
