Beth chats a bit about antique handkerchiefs that work well for creating baby bonnets. She shares about the ones she has from her grandmother. 

As she explains the technique of folding the handkerchiefs to get the best results of the edging or lace for the bonnet, she draws lines for a better demonstration.

She shows how the end result of the folds fashions a precious bonnet, featuring the lace, embroidery, or special needlework of the handkerchief.

Here Beth holds her creation next to one from member Leslye. Both are beautiful examples of how a simple handkerchief can make a special gift.

Pretty in Pink Challenge

The Board challenged the members to fashion a garment in or with pink. These members took up said challenge going above and beyond… 

Kneeling in front are:

Beth with a hanky bonnet and Debbie showing a dress from Sew Beautiful pattern Pasquale made from Moda pink flower lawn fabric, she embellished the belt with machine embroidery.

Standing from left to right:

Roberta enjoyed creating 2 dresses both from a pattern by Love and Stitches featuring shadow work by Appliqué for Kids.

Leslye used Children’s Corner pattern Olivia and a smocking design found in AS&E #59 to sew her dress.

Nikki’s 2 granddaughters are going to love wearing the dresses she sewed with a Butterick pattern.

Susan's sweet dress was made using Children’s Corner Bishop.

Brenda was a busy seamstress, she showed off a dress from Pitter Patter Patterns, a doll’s dress from Love and Stitches, as well as a doll quilt and a Log Cabin queen size quilt.

Joy’s Louise by Children’s Corner complimented the 2 doll dresses using an embroidery machine pattern by Appliqué for Kids.

Teresa created a special outfit using Cheryl Lohman’s pattern Kimberly’s Sundress adding a smocking design by Little Stitches.

Shirley modified Children’s Corner Louise to sew the dress she made for her granddaughter’s Easter outfit.

Show and Share

Susan had a triple hit with her Show and Share this month. This precious day gown by Creations by Michie features shadow work, the little boys Johnny by Children's Corner was smocked with Easter Chicks seen in the new sewing magazine "Classic Sewing"and for the square yoke dress she used another pattern from Creations by Michie.

Teresa’s Carrousel Horse needlepoint pillow drew many oohs and aahs from the members.

Special Features

Leslye shared her technique to get perfect pleats with a small striped fabric…she didn’t use a pleater. She HAND pleated each stripe!

This dress by Brenda features ‘whip stitch piping’ adding just the right touch of creativity.

Susanna’s 

Sewing Space

Susanna, who has been sewing for more than 25 years shares that she takes as many classes as possible, and hopes to improve her hand sewing skills this year.

As you step into her space and take in the simplicity, neutral colors and clean lines of her space, you naturally want to go home and clean up your own space. All of the furniture is from Ikea.She shares that the best feature of her space is all the natural light from the large windows at each end.

Her model of uncluttered effortless decor keeps the straightforward reason for the space…SEWING!

Even the drawers in the Ikea center cutting area are well maintained for easier finding of items needed.

Susanna has a system from the many years of sewing that helps her to keep all of her fabrics organized and orderly.

The sewing station is perfectly situated near a large southwest facing window. In the picture is her favorite type of machine for sewing...a wonderful Bernina. She believes she get the best of stitches for heirloom sewing and the buttonholes come out beautifully. She prefers not to tote this machine to classes or workshop, so the little light weight Passport 2.0 is her sewing machine of choice for those events.

Just to the left of the sewing machines is a very comfortable chair which is also from Ikea where she enjoys doing handwork. She also uses the time on road trips to do hand stitching

Susanna sews her own ironing board covers and this one is darling! Wish I had taken a close up. She loves to use sewing related fabric and she uses the previous cover to make her own pattern.

The closet located on the far end of the room is very organized and kept clutter free with tools intended for this purpose. Here she can find all of her rulers, extra light source, ironing equipment and unfinished projects. Susanna thinks she suffers from PCAD (project completion attention deficit). Her favorite tool is a 'good' seam ripper...she believes she would not sew as much if unable to have it by her side. Lately with all the cute garments she has been sewing, she believes that the piping ruler and Roxann's glue come in a close second.

Susanna enjoys sewing Wee Care for her chapter, but at the moment is deciding on what to do for the ‘Pretty in Pink’ challenge.

This dress form was purchased in England and features the ability to expand or contract several inches in order for her have a better fit for whatever dress project she may be working on

She shares that her favorite aspect of being a part of the Midnight Oil Smockers is the fact that all the like minded members understand the NEED to stash fabric!

Susanna is quite content with days spent creating darling garments in her special space.