Don't Forget!

New address, Same blog!

"Hop" over to http://littleredhousedesigns.com/  to continue following along.  

New address, Same blog!

Be sure to follow once you get there!!

-Karen

http://littleredhousedesigns.com/

MOVING DAY! Come Along!!

It is MOVING DAY at 

Little Red House Designs!

PLEASE take a moment to follow me to my NEW web address at Wordpress:

click here:  LittleRedHouseDesigns.com

I am so very excited to be making this change.  I hope to not lose you!

If your Google Friend Connect does not bring you over - be sure to redirect your RSS Feed links!!

SEE YOU THERE!!!!  

Making this move on a wing and a prayer - I hope this works!

Applique T Shirts

This is the FIRST time I have ever tried applique - I am SOLD!

I chose to use Steam-A-Seam 2 because it is what I had.

Letters lined up and ready to be 'appliqued'.

I desperatly wanted to do a tight satin stitch but earlier attempts at this did not go well.  I chose the straight stitch.  I would advise not using a contrasting color on this step if you are not 'experienced'!

but of course!

I hope she likes them!  I have lots of ideas I want to try now!

We Interrupt This Program for a Brief Message

I will be busily planning my Superbowl Sunday menu plan over the next two weeks...

Continue on....

Happy Birthday: Elizabeth!

photo source: Threads

Today is Elizabeth's birthday!  Well, actually it is mine but I do not like to focus on the fact that I am officially in my mid 40s now!

One year ago today I received my sewing machine Elizabeth for my birthday from the Mr.!  You can read about her HERE if you are interested.

So I thought I would share some of the things Elizabeth and I have accomplished together in the past year.

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Happy Birthday Elizabeth (and to me!) 

We get better with age!!

Mrs. Banks: Rough Draft

Given that I have invested some money into the fabric for Coco's costume for her role as Mrs. Banks in the school play Mary Poppins - I wanted to make sure I did it correctly.  I made a rough draft first!

This is the pattern I selected for a proper Edwardian 1910 London dress.
All of the pieces work together. I struggled terribly with the choice of whether to do to the kimono sleeve or the regular tailored sleeve.  While the kimono would be much easier - it may be too 'evening' wear (or maybe I just watch too much Downton Abbey!!).   I should mention it is an 'older' style pattern. Which made me very nervous with statements like 'the modern sewer may not be familiar with....'.

SO I jumped in with plain white inexpensive fabric.  Sloppy Copy if I may!  Which does not show the detail well in photos.  

I made the skirt first - which had a placket (do you know what a placket is?)  I do, now! (It is used to add the hooks and eyes on the inside of the dress in place of a zipper.)  The hardest part of the skirt was cutting the large pieces. 

Second, I worked on the under-bodice.  Which took several rounds of 'do I need to make this part?' because it was very confusing.  BUT in the end - it was necessary.  It is like the undershirt of the dress.  Clearly the 'bust' part needs to be taken in some!  This involved a lot of piecing.

Lulu modeling this for the camera

Finally the sleeve - kimono style because it was the easiest!  I think it really pulls the dress together.  I love the silhouette.

with the large sash style tie added

the back view

SO, I did not hem, or put any closures or do any final edging on any of the seams.  But I think it will work.... It may still require a high neck ruffle blouse 'dickie' but I will let the art director make that final decision.

Here is a sneak peak of what my plan will be, keeping in mind plans can change!

  

Perspective

This post is really not a typical post for me.  When you start at little crafting blog you begin to e-meet other people out there.  You don't really realize where it will take you or which blogs will pull you in and which ones won't.

I had an 'aha' moment today.

One of those - gee I think I have it so bad - then you e-meet someone who is so amazing they put your thoughts into proper perspective.

I wanted to share a blog of an amazing young woman who is going through a difficult time.  And she does it with grace.

If you have not met Ashley at  Lil Blue Boo let me introduce you.  Her message is 'Choose Joy'.  Something I think we all have the ability to do.

Today - she shared a moment that I wanted to share with you.  I thought it was beautiful.  I also think that I will stop worrying about what color my hair is and accept the blessing that I am healthy.  

Stop by and take a peek around her amazing blog.  Bring a tissue with you!