February 29, 2008

Did You Miss the Bearissima Swiss Batiste Sale?

It has come to our attention that some of you missed the recent Ivory color Bearissima Swiss Batiste sale because you thought it was still ongoing. That sale ran from February 1 - February 10.

We are going to re-open the sale for 3 days to give those of you who missed it a chance to order at the 30% off sale price. Hurry and order now because the sale will end March 3.


Special Sale for Mail Order Customers - Silk Dupioni

There are still a lot of people who prefer using mail order rather than ordering online. We want to give our mail order customers a chance to be the first in line to order a limited supply sale item.

Our winter colors of Silk Dupioni have been marked down 20% off for Mail Orders Only.

This special sale will be limited to first come, first served mail orders only until March 12.

The sale will then be opened to online orders on March 13, provided we have any remaining in stock.

Supplies are limited, so hurry and mail your orders in today. No rainchecks.

This is beautiful, 1st quality silk dupioni, imported by the Martha Pullen Company. We have solid colors and gingham dot included in the sale.


Stay tuned........Fun with Machine Embroidery is coming next!

February 8, 2008

Quick and Easy Raglan Nightgown for Girls

Did You Know?

You can use most bishop (smocking) patterns when you want a quick and easy raglan style nightie for girls. Smocking is a decorative way of controlling gathers. If you leave off the smocking, you have loose gathers. Perfect for a nightie.

I wanted to make Hannah a warm nightgown during one of our record low cold periods. (We have had a strange winter here in Alabama, record high's and record low temperatures.)

I used the Joy of Smocking pattern, minus the smocking. That pattern is great, it goes from Size 6 months all the way to 14 years!

For the fabric, I choose our snuggly, warm Austrian Cashmere Cotton. Not only is that fabric warm, it is super durable. You can machine wash it and throw it in the dryer over and over again and it still comes out nice.

I thought it would be too plain without the smocking, so I machine embroidered a pretty basket on the front from the Dainty Designs Sew Beautiful Embroidery Collection.




This was an easy project that went together fast. So fast in fact, that I might make her a few more with the other colors of the Austrian Cashmere Cotton. The machine embroidery turned out great on this fabric. (Remember to pre-shrink before embroidering - I used the washer and dryer)




Reminder - Our Current Sales are Ending Soon

You still have time to save on the Ivory Bearissima Swiss Batiste, Mettler thread, French lace and Pink Bearlin. See our current sales.

Upcoming Sale

Look for beautiful Silk Dupioni to be featured next during our big Winter Fabric Sale!

New Martha Pullen Book and Machine Embroidery Designs

Vintage Baby - Martha Pullen and Friends Series

You will love the latest of Martha's vintage books because it has page after page of beautiful photographs of vintage baby clothes. Martha Pullen, Sue Hausmann and Elizabeth Rhodes contributed to this book, each from their own private collections.

Every item in the book is described in detail, inspiring you with ideas for creating your own heirlooms for baby. There are also several pages of embroidery designs for hand embroidery.

The book sold separately is $29.95.

2 Companion Machine Embroidery Disks

If you have an embroidery machine, you won't want to miss this opportunity to get the complete set, which includes the book and both of the companion embroidery cd's at the Introductory Price of only $80.00! If purchased separately, the book and the 2 cd's would cost $209.95.

I can't wait to try these! Order yours today!




Update on the pattern "Classic Dress" by Creations By Michie

We are now fully re-stocked on the size large (2 - 5) of this newest pattern by Michie.

Everybody loves Creations By Michie patterns because they are easy, easy, easy!!! Her new pattern is destined to be a, hummmm, what's the word I'm thinking of, oh yes, a classic!

February 1, 2008

Bearissima Swiss Batiste 30% OFF!!!

Our mid-winter heirloom fabric sale continues..... All of these sale fabrics are first cuts, that means they are not remnants. They will be cut fresh and wrapped in Heirloom Naturals Acid Free Tissue for you.


Bearissima Swiss Batiste - Ivory 30% Off

Bearissima, from Bear Threads Ltd, is the creme de la creme of Swiss batistes. It's perfect for so many heirloom projects, everything from baby garments to ladies blouses.

It is a dream to work with and is absolutely beautiful. It is approximately 55 inches wide, giving you about 23% more fabric per lineal yard than the 45 inch fabrics. See our fact sheet on Choosing a Swiss Batiste For Your Project.

This is a very nice soft, subtle shade of Ivory. (It is not a creme or yellowish color at all.)

Now's your chance to stock up on the Ivory Bearissima at 30% off the regular retail price.


Mettler Thread 60 wt - Ivory 30% Off

You'll need thread to go with that Bearissima. Use the 60 wt Mettler thread for heirloom sewing by machine on batiste and other lightweight fabrics.


French Insertion Lace - White 20% Off

Our most popular French insertion lace looks beautiful with the Ivory Bearissima Swiss Batiste. At 20% off, you only pay $2.72 a yard.




Bearlin - Pink 30% Off

Bearlin, also from Bear Threads, Ltd, is a beautiful blend of Irish Linen and Swiss Cotton. It looks very much like 100% linen but it is softer and does not wrinkle as much!



The sample dress in the photo (the dress is under construction) is made with the pink Bearlin. The dress is hanging on a dark blue dress form, allowing you to see the sheerness of the fabric. A white slip will be worn under the completed dress.

This is a very high quality heirloom fabric. It too, is wide, giving you more fabric per lineal yard than the narrower, 45 inch wide fabrics. We want you to try this beautiful Bearlin and so we are offering it to you at 30% off the regular retail price. It is perfect for spring dresses.


Reminder - Previous Sales are Ending Soon

The 30% off on the Swiss Wool Challis and the Swiss Flannel ends this weekend.


The 25% off on the Olfa Rotary Essentials Kit also ends this weekend. The kit includes an Olfa 12"x18" rotary mat, 18mm rotary cutter, 45mm rotary cutter and an Olfa Rotary Brochure.

I have 2 of these, one by the sewing machine and the other by the serger. I especially love the 18mm rotary cutter, it cuts around the small corners and curves of tiny baby patterns easily.

Beginning Heirloom Sewing by Machine DVD

New Instructional DVD from Martha Pullen!

Martha demonstrates all the basic heirloom sewing by machine techniques you will need to know to create a beautiful heirloom garment.

We frequently hear from people who want to begin heirloom sewing but think it is too hard. With this new DVD, you will see how easy it is!

You'll learn how to combine French laces with entredeux and fabric, how to use specialty stitches and much, much more. This is perfect for beginners and for those who want to refresh their skills.

Use this DVD along with the book, Heirloom Sewing by Machine, also by Martha Pullen, to create the classic heirloom party dress.

For more information and to order see Beginning Heirloom Sewing by Machine DVD.


Pattern News and Updates

Creations By Michie - Classic Dress (large size): Temporarily out of stock, but we will have more of these available any day now.

Ginger Snaps - Boy's Button-On Suit: We do still have some of these patterns in stock. Order soon while we still have them because they are not scheduled to be reprinted until later on in the spring.

Ginger Snaps - The How-to Book of Heirloom Sewing by Machine: We do have a few of these books still in stock. Order your copy before they are sold out because a reprint date has not been set.