OT Any heirloom dress stitchers here?

I've done a bit of it but found that it was more work than I liked for something that wouldn't be used very often. Odd because I don't mind doing wedding gowns with all the strange stuff they require and they are worn once! I like the types of stitching & sewing needed to do heirloom work, just not on "useful" things. I would much rather do a sampler using the techniques and then frame the piece and hang it on the wall :-)! CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at

When I saw the heading my first thought was Polly does that kind of thing. : )

I took a class years ago and did some simple heirloom stuff but we are talking really basic. Certainly someone here can help. Taria

Polly Esther wrote:

I've just run into such surprising and ridiculous challenges. The pattern calls for a base yoke of fine-gauge English cotton netting. I marked the yoke with a washout pen, then stitched around the marking with silk thread. In an abundance of caution, I dipped the netting in cool water and let it dry. It dried about 30% smaller than I started with. I sure could use a friend in this creation. Polly

I do a lot of heirloom sewing and just sent you an email, Polly.

Val

Great. I am so eager to share this special project with someone who's been there. Val, you can't just click reply to get me, you have to go in and spell the cleen part of my address correctly. Polly

"Val" wrote >I do a lot of heirloom sewing and just sent you an email, Polly.

I assume this heirloom dress is NOT for an alligator who is about to get married. I'm thinking that your cloth & netting needs a fine spray of water to shrink it before cutting. If you don't, then it will definitely shrink on the gator during the middle of the occasion. Take this advice from someone who sews for dogs. You never know when they will decide to go swimming. Barbara in SC

Problem solved. The quest was for a way to stabilize fine cotton netting during sewing. Lots of experiments, including many that obviously weren't going to work since some stabilizers melt with iron heat, some disappear, some yellow, some just simply won't come off. I finally found one that will do the job nicely, endure the steam iron and gently tear off when no longer needed. When the little dress is finished, somebody is going to say, "you are just so talented". 'Talented' as if the ability to make this little beauty was simply handed to me instead of a whole heap of struggling; you know, like being tall or having perfect pitch. The gators will know what do to with them. And yes, Barbara. The darling the dress is for would much prefer sitting in a mud puddle than she would posing for a Christmas card portrait. Great Aunt Polly

"Bobbie Sews More" wrote >I assume this heirloom dress is NOT for an alligator who is about to get

Do I spell that with an "ee" or an "ea"?

Not yet, but I wanna be one when I grow up. I've been thinking for years I want to do that. No babies to sew for, but I would love to do Christening gowns. And those little poofy dresses and the "bubble suits". I've bought a few patterns and even have some of the fine fabric, but, well, you know how it is...

Cindy

Yeah, I could have used a friend too! Or a firing squad. The first thing I tried was a Vogue pattern that wasn't very clear. I cut out and heavily embroidered the tiny little bodice and then realized that I was supposed to do the pintucks first. It's hard to pick white embroidery out of fine batiste. I pretty much gave up after that.

I'll do it again sometime though. Cindy

EA.

:)

-georg

Do try it again, Cindy. But start small - a bonnet or fancy bib is a good place. And do a trial run. Always. Make up the garment in something not so costly so you have the instructions clear. Vogue may just be the most obscure. Many times, I've had to take a walk and come back to see if I could figure out what they meant to say. Polly

"teleflora" > Yeah, I could have used a friend too! Or a firing squad. The first thing

Oh my yes, Vickie. I can probably quote every word Martha ever spoke. My absolute favorite was the time she said "Do it this way because I have already made enough mistakes for all of us". I just was so surprised at the

30% shrinkage of the netting. That just sounds like a warning I would have Really paid attention to. If I hadn't tested, my dress would have choked a Barbie doll. All is well now. Be patient. Very patient. Those 3 sons just may produce a gaggle of little girl grands for you. Polly

Oh, I will try again. I really love it. I got the batiste at Hobby Lobby I think, so it wasn't expensive. My quilt shop has the most beautiful pale, pale pink fabric. I know it's a cotton, but it looks like a fine linen. I keep picturing a tiny little dress with a wide white collar with embroidery. Or a suit! Wouldn't that be darling?

Cindy

Get a life size baby doll and make it! Even if you don't get a grandbaby girl, you can enjoy making the dress.

-georg

Ew! Already got the doll! Didn't even think about her. Perfect.

C>> Oh, I will try again. I really love it. I got the batiste at Hobby

After reading all of this I just might have to give it a try. I love Martha Pullen's website, I love looking at pictures of all these lovey things, but boy, I'm just too scared to give it a try. Any thoughts on a good project for a beginner. (Assuming I ever get time to start a new project>)

Maureen

On Wed, 12 Jul 2006 16:24:06 -0500, Polly Esther wrote (in article ):

One of the best for a beginner, Maureen, is called a puddle pad. It's simply a fancy pillow case (about the size of a placemat). Inside the case, you put a sheet of flannel-backed rubber. You can play with all of the heirloom techniques on a straight strip and put it at the hem of the case. (Make the strip 'out flat' and don't seam it to go around the case until you're through and ready to do the last side seam on the pillow case. Did I make sense?). Much to my surprise these have been the absolute favorite of the mamas. It protects their clothes from whatever baby decides to puddle or hurl when the mom (or dad) has on their 'Sunday Best'. Polly

"Maureen Wozniak" > After reading all of this I just might have to give it a try. I love Martha