Browse Tag by Heriloom Details
Classic Style, Embroidery, Heirloom Sewing

The Mountmellick Stitch- New Tutorial

When my daughter asked me to make her son’s Baptism outfit, I decided to experiment with something new.  She didn’t want smocking and chose a shirt and shorts outfit with simple tucks and embroidery.  She also wanted linen which I was thrilled to hear!

I needed a “row” stitch, something that would look like a braid between the tucks, which of course were hemstitched.  I have a tutorial for that here and here.

I was drawn to the Mountmellick stitch and after experimenting I found that I could make it look like little arrowheads that could be mirror imaged between the tucks.

I made the stitch 1/8″ wide, 4 threads apart, with size 8 Perle cotton.  It’s simple and elegant.

Here’s the outfit:

 

Click here for the tutorial and have fun experimenting!

 

Classic Style, Construction, Embroidery, Forever Classic, New Pattern, Quick Projects

Drawn Thread Motif

 

Hello everyone!  I’ve finally finished my tutorial for the Drawn Thread Motif.  I hope you find it helpful.  You can find it here.  It was inspired by a vintage dresser scarf that I found in an antique shop.  I love finding inspiration from vintage items.  I wrote about it here.

Check it out and give it a try.

And keep checking in for my tester call.  I’m almost ready to start the testing phase for my preemie bubble pattern, which features this motif on the collar, as well as other embellishment options.  If you are interested in testing the pattern, check back here or my Facebook page or my Instagram page.  The pattern will fit a preemie up to 5 1/2 lbs.  It’s also perfect for Reborn baby dolls.

Classic Style, Construction, Embroidery

New Tutorial Posted!

By | On July 19,20 | 2 Comments

Hi Everyone,

I’ve posted a new 2 part tutorial on how I did my hemstitch tucks.

How To Make Hemstitch Tucks Part 1

How to Make Hemstitch Tucks Part 2

It’s a very simple stitch but it can leave a big impact on your garment.  It adds the perfect touch for boy garments when you can’t use lace and but still want to add a special touch as most moms and grandmas want to do.

I used it here on my grandson’s Baptism bubble since Dad insists on no lace.  Dads will be dads, but I still had to stitch a little piece of my heart into the outfit.  This worked perfectly.  Both mom and dad were happy.

I’ve also used some of these techniques on a drawn thread collar for a preemie boy outfit, which will be coming shortly.

Here is a preview:
Playing With Threads

Once the threads are pulled and tucks are basted, the actual hemstitching goes very quickly.  Give it a try and let me know how you like it!

 

Classic Style, Embroidery, New Pattern, Quick Projects

Playing With Threads

By | On June 06,20 | 0 Comment

Wow, it’s been a while.  Time to catch up.

I’m currently working on a new preemie pattern for boys.  This one will be a little bubble.  No smocking, but it will have a little collar and I thought a touch of Drawn Thread Work would be a perfect little touch to add.  It’s always special when a mom or grandma can stitch a little bit of her heart into something so I started doing my research.

It started with a photo…but for some insane reason I didn’t save it! Now I only have my memory of a little square design that kind of looks like Reticella work.  Very vague and enough to haunt my thoughts until I could google as much as I could and ask my dear friend Lori, who’s done much more embroidery than I. She advised that Reticella and Hardanger might be too bulky for what I had in mind and advised me to stick with Drawn Thread.

I stumbled on Mary Corbet’s wonderful website and she had a link to the Antique Pattern Library.  What a rabbit hole that can be! But I disciplined myself and stuck to my research using the Drawn Thread book by DMC on the Antique Pattern Library website.  Here is the link:

http://www.antiquepatternlibrary.org/pub/PDF/DMCDrawn1.pdf

Have fun! But don’t forget to come back and read the rest of the post! Haha.  Then I went through my own library, but I only had some books on Pulled Thread and Ruskin Lace Work as well as an odd little book that illustrates all kinds of stitches for all of these open and counted thread types of embroidery.

Nothing popped out and said “Stitch Me Now”.  The line drawings were a little bland, and the old fashioned illustrations from the antique DMC really didn’t light a fire in by brain.

More searching, this time through Etsy and I was amazed to find this little gem!  And not a PDF, but the real book!  The listing said it is from the 1930s but there’s no copyright.

It’s the second part of the book at the Antique Pattern Library.  It’s a wonderful book but still no solutions popped out at me.

Then, I cleaned my sewing room!  Eureka!

I picked up a little shopping bag and my problem was solved.  Inside were two little doilies that I bought when I went to the craft show and antique show at the Schwenkfelder Museum with my dear friend Wanda.

What a wonderful day that was.  An entire antique and vintage fair that featured textiles and everything involving a needle.  They had all kinds of lovely antique sewing tools and linens that day and there in that bag was the perfect little design for my bubble.  It has the lacy open look of Reticella but is delicate enough for use on a lightweight linen or batiste.  And it’s not girly looking so Dad can relax haha.  It’s small in scale and can stitch up quickly.

 

 

I quickly cross referenced the books I was looking through and found the instructions I needed to execute the stitches.  The openwork square consists of wrapped bars and dove’s eye.  And the border is in my DMC book from Etsy!

Now to practice.  I have the itch to stitch.

 

Classic Style, Construction, Forever Classic, New Pattern, Pleating, Sewing Techniques, Smocking

New Pattern!

Big Sister Pamela has been released and can be purchased here or at my Etsy shop.  I had a few requests to release the Baby Pamela dress in bigger sizes and I hope you enjoy making it.

 

 

The pattern includes sizes Newborn up to 9-12 Months and a simple smocking plate for new smockers.  It also includes my snap front diaper cover, which has been very popular.  It makes diaper changes so much easier!

 

A bias neckband is a quick technique and the sleeves ares smocked with baby waves for comfort and elasticity.

 

 

Perfect for spring time projects and Easter outfits.  Happy stitching!

Classic Style, Construction, Forever Classic, Sewing Techniques

Out Of My Head And On The Baby

I’m a little late in posting this, certain life events came up and I just haven’t been up to posting.  I can’t believe it’s been since May when I was trying to work out a procedure for my grandson’s baptism outfit.

Well, it’s finally out of my head and on the baby!  Here he is, sitting on Grandpa’s lap.  I tried my hardest to get him to sit on the sofa alone, but he played surfboard and just wouldn’t have it.  He was only happy on Grandpa’s lap.

 

 

All of the mental gymnastics were worth it.  My daughter loved the outfit and she was very happy.  Sammy was comfortable and happy.  He didn’t even cry when the priest poured the water on his head.

Here are the details:

This is the embroidery in the center.  I made the hemstitched tucks on either side.  a tutorial will be coming to explain the steps.  I pinstitched the yoke by hand.

The fabric here is linen and the rest of the bubble is a fine shirting fabric with a herringbone pattern.

 

I made a peter pan collar with faggoting.

And here is the bubble with the cap:

It certainly is a satisfying feeling to finally get it out of my head!