Faster Shipping for Doll Orders

We are offering a shipping upgrade on doll orders. If you think UPS Ground shipping will be too slow, you can select to have your doll shipped by Priority mail.

The U.S. Postal Service has a holiday shipping calendar posted on their website. They list Dec 20 as the last day to ship by Priority mail to have a package delivered anywhere in the U.S. by Dec 25.

Read more about the USPS holiday mailing guidelines.

A Message from our Shipping Manager

"If you choose the Priority mail shipping upgrade on your doll order, I will personally take your package to the Post Office and ship it to you by Priority mail."

The cut-off date for the offer from the shipping manager is Wednesday night at midnight (Dec 19). So please get your orders in as soon as possible.

Latest Issue of Australian Smocking & Embroidery Has Arrived

Australian Smocking & Embroidery Issue number 81 is in stock and ready to ship.

Of the 8 projects featured in this issue, 4 of them are outfits for babies. One of those baby outfits is a baby boy winter top and matching pants.

There's also 2 beautiful baby daygowns, with ruffles, embroidery and tatting, that you will love.

You can click here for a list of all the featured projects in this issue. You can also visit our magazine index page for a list of past issues that we still have in stock.

Acid Free Storage Boxes

It's come to our attention that, due to a glitch, some of you may not have received the last email we sent out. It featured our Acid Free Storage Box.

If you did not receive that email, you can view it online here:

Acid Free Storage Boxes Have Arrived!

Acid Free Storage Boxes Have Arrived!

It has been a long wait, a very long wait, but the manufacturer finally got the production up and running again. And as promised, they immediately sent us a supply of the acid free textile storage boxes!

Some wonder why we just didn't use another manufacturer in the interim. The answer is because we trust that company. We've depended on their products for over 15 years. Their archival products are the best and are worth the wait.

When it comes to preserving your heirloom garments for the next generation, you want to use the best. There was a time when archival storage products of this high quality were only available to museums, historical societies, etc., but now, they are available to you too.

You will find the boxes very easy to assemble. They are large, roomy and strong! Use our Heirloom Naturals™ acid and lignin free, non-buffered tissue paper to wrap each item before placing it inside the box.

For more information on garment care and storage see our printable articles on the website.

The boxes are available individually or as an Heirloom Storage Kit. In addition to the box, the kit also includes a package of the Heirloom Naturals™ tissue paper plus a sample pack each of Forever New Fabric Care Wash and The Stain Remedy.

Order your acid free storage box today! They are in stock, ready to ship.

Festive Swiss Embroideries - On SALE 40% OFF!!!

Stock Up and Save!!!

Colorful, festive Swiss embroidered edgings and insertions on sale. By taking advantage of our multiple yardage discount you can save 40% off the regular price.

These Swiss embroideries are perfect for so many projects, everything from children's clothing to home decorating. The edgings are approximately 6 inches wide, perfect width for a quick gathered collar on girls or baby clothes.

Or use the 6 inch edging for the hem on a girls dress. Simply attach it to the bottom of the skirt using entredeux or beading. Use beading on other parts of the dress and then coordinate by running red or green silk satin ribbon through it.

For a festive receiving blanket or carriage blanket, use the 6 inch edging around the outside of the blanket. The Swiss insertions coordinate beautifully with this edging. Use your imagination to sew beautiful heirlooms with these easy to use Swiss trims.

Red Silk Satin Ribbon

Don't forget the beautiful 2 inch wide silk satin ribbon, regular price $5.68 per yard, for a limited time only $3.98 per yard.

Sewing Machine & Dealer Recommendation

Over the years I have worn out several sewing machines and always had to replace them. That is, until 1992, when I bought my Husqvarna Viking 1100.

It's still going strong after fifteen years of heavy use! That machine has never given me any problems. It has been the most dependable sewing machine I have ever used and I have been sewing since junior high school home economics class in 1964.

When it was time to think about getting an embroidery machine, Husqvarna Viking was my choice. And I'm glad I did. These new machines are amazing. Visit a Husqvarna Viking dealer near you and ask for a demonstration. You'll see what I mean.

Husqvarna Viking Dealer in Meridian, MS - For those of you who live in or within driving distance of Meridian Mississippi, I recommend you visit Sew Precious. That's where I got my new machine.

In addition to the latest machines, Sew Precious offers sewing and smocking classes. They have ready to sew kits and a large selection of fabrics including Spechler Vogel, Fabric Finders and many more.

You'll also find many of your favorite patterns, including Maja's Heirlooms, Bonnie Blue Designs, an extensive collection of Children's Corners patterns plus a lot more.

You can visit their website for driving directions and store hours.

We Have A Winner!

Hannah made the selection for the recepient of the free Adora doll!

We want to thank everyone who participated in this event. It has been fun, maybe we can do something like this again someday.

Our winner lives in Texas. If you live in Texas and registered for the Adora doll, check your email for the winner notification.

Reminder - Free Adora Doll Registration Ends Wednesday Night

Hurry, time is running out! All submissions must be received by midnight November 21, 2007.

You don't want to miss this opportunity to receive a beautiful Adora doll, retail value $69.95, absolutely FREE, no purchase necessary.

If you missed our post about it, you can read it here.

New Patterns from Children's Corner

Casual and Trendy

We have two new patterns from Children's Corner, Gigi and Casey.

Gigi is a cute blouse and pants pattern for girls. The blouse buttons in the front, has 3/4 length sleeves and a Peter Pan Collar.

The pants are ankle length and have an elastic waist. This is an adorable pattern and looks like it would be fun to sew.

Available in sizes 1 - 4 and 5 - 8.

More information and to purchase Gigi

Casey is a lined coat with a hood for a girl or boy. It can be quilted with a batting for additional warmth. Available in sizes 6 months - 3 and 4 - 8.

More information and to purchase Casey

A Special Occasion Classic

Margaret by Children's Corner is a classic style dress suitable for so many types of special occasions. It is gorgeous made with elegant silk dupioni and a Swiss organdy collar. Accent the slightly raised waistline with a silk satin ribbon.

This pattern gives you a choice of 3 lengths and 3 collars from which to choose. Available in sizes 1 - 4 and 5 - 8.

For more information and to purchase Margaret

FREE Adora Doll

Yes, that's right, we're going to be giving away a free Adora Doll! No purchase necessary, this is just for fun.

The one we have selected to give away is one of my favorites. It has the sweetest little face. For you Adora collectors, it is one of the "B" sculpts. This little 20 inch baby doll is wearing a knit outfit and cap (basketball not included). See photo below:

This baby has short hair, so it can wear bonnets. Adora dolls can easily be changed from being a boy baby to a girl baby simply by changing outfits!

You can see what I mean by viewing another Adora doll (no longer available) that has the same face and body as the doll above, except it is dressed in a baby girl outfit. View doll dressed in girl outfit.

Winner will be chosen Thanksgiving weekend 2007.

We are going to put all the names in a hat. Then we're going to have Hannah (age 3) reach inside the hat and pick the winner's name! We will notify the winner by email.

Rules, Eligibility & Terms

Rules - The rules are simple, like I said, we are doing this for fun. No purchase is necessary. Simply use the contact form on our website to send us your name, mailing address and email. In the Comments area of the contact form type the words Free Adora Doll and your address. Only one submission per household will be accepted. All submissions must be received by midnight November 21, 2007.

Eligibility - Because we use UPS Ground shipping, only those located within the continental USA are eligible. Sorry, no P.O. Box addresses. Must be over 18. This is for consumers only, no businesses or doll professionals.

Terms - If the winner does not respond to our winner notification email within 3 days, it will be assumed that they do not want the doll and Hannah's second pick will become the winner. The second choice winner will also have 3 days to respond to our email notification. If they also do not respond, the same terms apply and Hannah's third pick will become the winner and so on. Not redeemable for cash. No warranties of any kind are implied. These rules and terms can be amended at anytime at the discretion of Heirloom Sewing For Children.

Martha Pullen Pattern News

We have good news about 2, out of print patterns, by Martha Pullen, Anna Garrin's Baptismal Gown and Christening Gown Ensemble. Martha Pullen Company has now reprinted both of these patterns and they will arrive here in just a few days!

We will put them on the website just as soon as they arrive.

The photo below is from the back of the Christening Gown Ensemble pattern:

Q & A - Older Girl's Long Sleeve Dress Pattern

Q - Do you have any suggestions for a long sleeve dress pattern for an older girl?

A - Yes! Although it seems most heirloom patterns for girls are designed with short sleeves, there are some very nice classic styled dresses for older girls that have long sleeve variations.

One such pattern is Victoria Lynn from Kay Guiles Designs. It's a dropwaisted dress pattern in sizes 4 - 14 and includes several elegant heirloom collar variations. A matching dress pattern for the 18 inch dolls is also available.

View Victoria Lynn

Another great pattern, available in sizes 6 - 16, can be found in Contemporary Heirlooms For Older Girls, a pattern/book by Martha Pullen. The patterns come with a 79 page book that contains detailed instructions, illustrations and color photographs.

It includes a dress that can be made with or without a collar and can be either sleeveless, short sleeve, 3/4 sleeve or long sleeve.

View Contemporary Heirloom For Older Girls

Embroidery Designs by Wendy Schoen On Sale

Embroidery Designs For Christmas by Wendy Schoen is an ideal source of designs for all types of decorative hand embroidery projects.

The designs are perfect for techniques such as shadow work, stem or outline stitch, applique and long and short stitch. There are two alphabets, holiday symbols, bells, candles, holly boughs, puppy dogs, kitty cats, snowmen, lambs and much, much more. Over 150 patterns.

Regular price is $15.00, on sale now for only $10.46. Order your copy today!

Adora Dolls and Gotz Dolls - 40% OFF!!!

Many of you know that we are in the processing of closing our doll department. We need the room to expand our heirloom fabrics and patterns plus expand our archival supplies.

All the dolls, their clothes and their accessories have to go, so we're cutting prices. All the beautiful Gotz dolls have been marked down. So far, we have over 1/2 of the Adora Dolls marked down to 40% off. We hope to have the prices on the rest of them reduced within the next few days.

If a particular doll that you want is not yet marked down, let us know and we'll do it for you.

The dolls are so beautiful and we have enjoyed bringing them to you. Take advantage of this opportunity to purchase a 1st quality, new Adora, Gotz or Corolle doll at these very low prices.




Coming up next: We're going to be giving away an Adora doll, no purchase necessary. Stay tuned for more information........

Heirloom Sewing Tip - Lace to Lace

This tip may be particularly helpful to beginners, especially if you are nervous about machine sewing, lace to lace.

I've often recommended using a little piece of tissue as a stabilizer at the beginning of the seam to prevent the lace from being pulled down into the sewing machine feeddogs. That's works fine until you sew past the tissue.

After you get past the tissue, it can get tricky keeping the lace headings butted together and preventing them from overlapping at times. Or trying not to stretch either piece of lace.

With a little practice, you can get the hang of it and will soon be joining lace together like a pro. But what if you don't have time to practice? What if you will be joining yards of lace to lace for a fancy band and need to do it right, the first time, without any mistakes?

Here's a little trick for perfect lace to lace heirloom sewing......

First, get a roll of Floriani Wet-n-Gone Tacky water soluble stabilizer. Yes, I know it is made for machine embroidery, but that's ok, we're going to use it for heirloom sewing anyway. (It comes in a big 10 yd roll that will last you forever, if using it for regular sewing)

Next, cut some strips of the Floriani Wet-n-Gone Tacky. Cut the strips wide enough to accommodate the width of the two pieces of lace that you will be sewing together. (i.e. if you are joining two 1/2 inch wide lace insertion pieces, cut the stabilizer a little over 1 inch wide.) If you have a rotary mat and cutter this part will be a breeze.

Now, peel off the paper backing from a stabilizer strip and neatly place the two pieces of lace on the sticky side of the stabilizer. Make sure the lace is straight, without gaps and not overlapping. Repeat this as many times as needed, depending on the length of the lace that is to be joined.

Next, set your zigzag stitch on your machine and sew away! When you're finished sewing, rinse the lace in water and the Floriani Wet-n-Gone Tacky rinses out completely.

Here's a photo of some lace I joined using this technique. It was fast and easy!

Winter Heirloom Fabrics and Black French Lace

Wool Challis

We absolutely love the beautiful, festive Red Wool Challis from Bear Threads Ltd and we think you will love it too!

Those little square graphic scans of the fabrics on the website don't do the heirloom fabrics justice. The red wool challis is sooooo pretty! It would make up into a gorgeous holiday dress. It's lightweight and drapes beautifully. Very nice. We want you to try it so we put the red wool challis on sale at 25% off.

And speaking of red............

Featherwale Corduroy

The Red Featherwale Corduroy from Fabric Finders is in stock now. These are great fabrics, you can dress them up or dress them down. They are strong and durable, yet almost look like velvet.

The Snow White featherwale corduroy is beautiful! The last time we stocked the Snow White color, it sold out almost immediately.

Black French Lace and English Netting

Since there seems to be a rising interest in black French lace and black English netting, we thought you might like to try some. This is the same heirloom lace that you've being using in white, ivory and ecru, except this is black. It is elegant and pretty.



Stay tuned....................... coming up next, for beginners, a mistake-proof tip on how to sew lace to lace and end up with perfectly straight seams!

Ready To Smock Yoke Dress

We still have a few of the Sew Beautiful Smockables left in stock. They are a white, high yoke poly/cotton blend in Size 2T. At 40% off the retail price you can pick one up for only $24.00!

Here's the link: http://www.heirloomsewingforchildren.com/yoke-dress.htm

Martha Pullen Doll 25% OFF!!!

More Unadvertised Special Sales like we promised! You'll love this special doll baby and with the Precious Baby Doll Clothes patterns by Martha Pullen, you can sew beautiful heirloom doll clothes for her.

Precious One by Middleton Doll

Designed especially for Martha Pullen

Sculpted by doll artist Reva Schick

Emily Isabella

On Sale Now - 25% OFF

Order Emily Isabella today!

Hard to find doll - Limited Quantities

Hannah's Heirloom Play Dress

It sure was hot this summer, especially here in Alabama. On weekends, I spent a lot of time in my sewing room where the air conditioner kept it nice and cool.

One afternoon when I was going through my fabric stash, I came across a piece of Swiss batiste that I had forgotten about. Actually, it was in several pieces. It had originally be used in an experiment years ago when we were testing fabric markers. At the time, I thought one of the pieces was ruined, but I couldn't bring myself to throw it out.

I rubbed the Stain Remedy into all the stains and then soaked it overnight in Forever New fabric wash. This had to have been the worst of all the stains I have treated with the Stain Remedy and I really didn't have any expectations of it coming clean. But it did! Amazing, is all I can say about that.

Anyway, the three pieces of fabric only amounted to about 2/3 of a yard, barely enough to make Hannah a summer play dress. I used the biggest piece for the skirt and the smaller pieces for the yokes, found some leftover lace to trim the armholes and neck and made her a sleeveless, shorty dress.

She liked it and that's what counts! It was cool and comfortable for her to wear and she could play outside while wearing it.

P.S. If you would like to try the Stain Remedy and Forever New fabric wash just send us a self addressed, stamped envelope. Enclose a little note with Stain Remedy and Forever New written on it and we'll mail you a free sample of each so that you can try it on those stubborn stains.

Mail it to:

Heirloom Sewing For Children
Dalton Enterprises
P.O. Box 804
Demopolis, AL 36732

Forever New Fabric Wash - 25% OFF SALE

We are having a "You've Got to Try It Sale" on our Forever New fabric wash. If you have never tried it, now is the time to do so.

All natural, safe for all your fine washables. Plus, it cleans better than any fabric wash we have ever seen! You'll love it.

On sale now, 25% off!

Smocking Sales & New Items

The Ultimate Yoke Dress by Ellen McCarn, a long time favorite smocking pattern, is on sale at 20% OFF!

We also have the NEW instructional Smocking with Martha Pullen DVD and the NEW Pleating with Martha Pullen and Dody Baker DVD, also on sale.

Smocking dots are back by popular demand. If you do not have a pleater, you can use Knott's Dots to gather your pleats.

Silk Dupioni Closeout Sale

Beautiful red and green plaid silk dupioni marked down 40% OFF! We only have a small amount remaining in stock so you'll need to hurry for this one.

NEW Narrow Swiss Edgings - Introductory Sale

These Swiss edgings look so sweet trimming the sleeves of baby and toddler's heirloom clothes. There's a cute one suitable for boys, only $1.68 a yard.

New Fabrics, Laces, Patterns & More

We came back from the market last week with lots of new heirloom sewing supplies for you! We have new silk dupioni in beautiful colors for your special occasion sewing. The blue ice color is gorgeous. We also think you will love the red and green gingham dot.

For those of you looking for black French lace, we now have it, plus black English Netting fabric.

This time we brought back some cobalt blue corduroy and blue chambray for boy's outfits. We also ordered some white corduroy that should arrive in a few weeks.

We have goodies from Martha Pullen, including her new Kent State Museum book and the two companion machine embroidery CD's. We also have her new "How To" DVD's that cover the subjects of pleating, smocking and heirloom sewing by serger. We believe these new DVD's will be a hit.

Creations By Michie has a new pattern called Classic Dress. There's a new book from Children's Corner called Ideas From Children's Corner.

We're working on getting these items, plus many more up on the website now. Carrington's Dropwaist Dress pattern from Ginger Snaps is up on the site, available for purchase.

New Pattern From Ginger Snaps

We have the new pattern by Nancy Coburn (Ginger Snaps) and we're sure you are going to love it!

Carrington's Dropwaist Dress is a versatile pattern with several variations. It's a sleeveless design, buttons up the back and can be worn as a dress or a jumper. The skirt can be either plain or ruffled. Multi-sized, includes sizes 4 - 8.

The green dress below is made with the plain variation, the blue has the ruffled skirt. We should have this pattern up on the Heirloom Sewing For Children website within a day or so, ready for purchase.