Sentimental Laces and Heirlooms

Now that Grace II, Sentimental Laces has been introduced, both Carolyn and I are ecstatic over the overwhelming response from friends in the machine embroidery world.  During the last couple of weeks, Carolyn came up with the idea of the pillowcase doll. I have to admit that it is such a cute and wonderful way to preserve an heirloom. The pillowcase doll has been a favorite among many. The pillowcase that the baby slept upon can be used as a wedding gift. What a beautiful idea!

My pillowcase doll is not as pretty as Carolyn’s but then my pillowcase was a small one so the hands on mine are a bit non-existant. I did take the large heart design from the collection and used a lot of pearls and ribbons to make it as a bib for the doll, which looks so cute. And of course, the doll has to have a bonnet, so I used one from the Grace I collection, bonnets and booties. The end result, I have to say is quite charming.

I wanted to share a close up of the heart that I embellished with pearls.  I do wish I had used the design with the candlewick embroidery in the center rather than the plain applique as that would have matched well with the pearls that I wove onto the edges. Oh well, I will just have to make another and it does make a lovely present topper.

Many ladies have asked me about the apron pattern and truthfully I have to admit that I did not use a pattern. Actually I only used a square and a rectangle of fabric for making it. Simply measure to see what size bodice you want the apron to have and cut out two squares.  Cut out the square a bit longer to accomodate the curvature of the heart shape.  Then measure from the waist band down to the preferable lenght and cut out a rectangle which is twice the width of the bodice square.  Now find the center of your square and use one of the blocks to stitch out the large insertion heart design. Once the design is stitched out, wash away the stabilizer (wss) and let dry. Press well and place both pieces of the squares together on a flat surface. From paper cut out a heart shape, and place that shape on top of the embroidered square to see where you would like the heart to be. Mark your heart shape on the wrong side of the embroidered fabric.

Mark where you would like you have the neck straps for the apron and place them between the right sides of the two square pieces.  Allow yourself seam allowance and sew together both the bodice squares in the shape of the heart . I’ve sort of roughly shown the shape below.  Cut out two pieces for making the waistband, mine were about two and a half inches wide. Join the bodice to one of the waistband pieces.

To make the skirt, fold the rectangle in half and using a dinner plate, cut out a curve on the raw fabric side. Go ahead and attach your edge lace. Gather the rectangle and stitch it onto the waistband on the other side from the bodice. Top stitch the second piece of the waistband to the back covering up the joining seams of the skirt and the bodice and your apron is made. I made mine in literally one afternoon. It was meant to be worn for Valentine so I chose red as the color for the laces but any color can be used.

So the question is….are these items heirlooms. Definitely YES. What are heirlooms? Anything that will be passed from one generation to another. Okay I know there are some that will frown but that is my definition, LOL.

I have been trying to write this blog for the last four hours.  Somehow, in my eyes I keep seeing the face of a very dear friend. To share a personal glimpse of my life with everyone, let me say to everyone: live your life to the full, enjoy your friends and family and forget differences and grudges. There are no guarantees of a tomorrow. I woke this morning to hear news of a terrible loss of a very dear beloved friend.  MaryAnn was one of those people who never thought about herself but always looked out for the others. Trying to save her beloved pets from a burning two hundred year old Mansion, she perished this morning. My dear sweet MaryAnn, you are an angel and I love you and will miss you. HUGS to everyone. Sadia