Sewing for the Mom to Be

Sorry it's been so long since I blogged but since I retired I think I am busier than ever before. I've even been able to clear a few things out of the UFO pile. Big accomplishment but that's another story and I will leave that for later. Today I listed a couple vintage maternity patterns in the Etsy store and thought I would give them a shout. They are too cute to leave them undiscovered.

Simplicity 7297 Maternity Sundress, Jumper, and Jumpsuit Size 6-14 Bust 30-36 inches. The dress and jumpsuit feature a raised waistline, side pockets, and a button front bodice.  

McCall's 7471 Maternity Sundress, Jumper, Blouse, and Jacket Size 14, bust 36 inches Designed by Evelyn de Longe. Jacket features patch pockets and top stitching. The sundress has a tucked front and shoulder straps. The pullover blouse has a Peter Pan collar and short sleeves.  

I don't know which one is cuter. Both patterns are just right for summer months. The Simplicity pattern is multi-sized....a big plus. The McCall's pattern has a jacket and blouse....great for cool evenings or air conditioned areas. 

Well, that's it for now. Have to tend to the cookies in the oven. The hubby has a steady stream of folks that stop into his garage and often have little ones in tow. A batch of cookies from Miss Eileen seems like the right thing to do. 

Post by Eileen of GoofingOff Sewing Supplies on Etsy. 

Braided Table Runner

Tropical Braided Table Runner by Karen Brake. This beauty was hanging at the quilt shop.

Last week I decided to take advantage of my new found leisure time and attend a class at the Suwannee Valley Quilt Shop. Once a month they hold a Sit and Stitch...free....and teach a new method or project. This month was the Braided Table Runner.

We used a pattern, #GE-101, from GE Designs of Chanhassen, Minnesota. The runner is a "Quilt as you go" pattern. The finished table runner is 17 inches wide and 52 inches long (42cm x 130cm). 

Two examples of the table runner to inspire us.

The runner starts with a six inch square in the center. I used a light color for my center square to create a light-to-dark effect but that is not necessary. Karen, the class leader, used a dark center for a dark-to-light effect.

Before starting we basted the backing and binding together. We used very thin binding, very low loft, since a pouffy effect was not desired.

We then marked the center of the fabric to place the center square on point. This is a very important step.

The strips are added on to the ends, making a point at each end....sort of the opposite of a log cabin....points on the ends and open triangles on the sides. The strips are 2 1/2 inches wide with 4 strips of each color, two 6 inch and two 8 inch. The strips are sewn in place, on each end, with a 1/4 inch seam, then pressed.

Adding the border.

When the strips are all in place the first border goes on, first across the length meeting each triangle.

Carefully adding the border.

The ends of the border are next to keep the braided effect. The wide border goes on next in the same fashion, then the binding to complete the runner.

When we finished the class we weren't done with the runners but they were close enough for pictures. We had the basics down. 

Table runner in blue and purples.

Table runner in Gator colors...go Gators!

Karen, our class leader, with hers. 

And here's me with mine. 

Ta Da! The finished product. I used brown and sage green calicos for a vintage look. It will look good on my old, I mean antique, dining table. 

It wasn't too difficult but it did take concentration. I didn't pull my hair or chew my nails so I think I might do it again, maybe in blues for Hanukkah. Got to think on it. 

Happy Stitching!

Post by Eileen of GoofingOff Sewing....getting the UFO basket emptied out, one project at a time. 

Weeding Out the Riff Raff

This morning I was a little ambitious and did some work in the garden. I pulled out a few weeds, the riff-raff, and thought how much the tomato plants were like children.

We started our tomato plants in pots, carefully tending to them, watering and feeding them regularly. 

When the weather warmed up and they were ready to make it on their own they went outside in the garden.

We put cages around them for support and to help them stand straight. Some of the tomato plants are straight up in the cages flourishing with the support while others find ways to escape the wire, as if reaching for freedom outside the cage's confines. I gently put the tomato vines back into the cages and wonder how many will try to get out during the night when nobody is watching. I weed around the plants, clearing the riff-raff (weeds) to keep the weeds from stealing the precious nutrients the tomatoes need to survive. 

How like children they are! 

We nuture our children, feeding and loving them as they grow until they are ready to go to school, their first date, drive a car, or first big trip without Mom or Dad. Some will flourish with that guidance while others will bristle as if confined and look for ways to escape. We try to keep the children safe from the "riff-raff" that may injure or steal from them. 

So, as I weeded the next row, I noticed some volunteer tomato plants that grew up among the weeds, all unexpected, all strong and beautiful...because sometimes there is good in the most unlikely places. 

It's as if they were placed there to remind me to look for beauty everywhere, even among the weeds. 

Happy Mother's Day

Post by Eileen Patterson of GoofingOff Sewing.