New Pattern from Children's Corner

The Johnny pattern, from Children's Corner, sure brings back sewing memories for me. In the early '70's I made so many of these rompers for my son.

Until he was about 3 years old, I made him the short version. We called it a "John-John" romper. In the winter, he would wear a long sleeve button up shirt or pullover t-shirt under the romper, kneesocks on his legs and a Buster Brown hat.

As he got older, I packed away his kneesocks and starting sewing the long version for him. In those days, every time your child moved up a size in clothes, you'd have to go buy a new pattern. That was before the days of multi-sized patterns.

The multi-sized Johnny pattern is available in Size 3 - 12 months, and Size 18 months - 4.

I highly recommend finishing the crotch with snaps. It sure made it easier for diaper changes and potty training.

Johnny includes a pattern for a shirt or a blouse.

For more information and to order, click here.

Instructional Sewing Video

Do you need help with sewing the leg bottoms of a lined romper? Let Lezette Thomason from the Children's Corner show you how!

Sewing Video: Part 1 of 2 - Leg Bottoms on a Lined Romper

Click here to read more about the Johnny pattern and to watch Part 2 of the video: Leg Bottoms on a Lined Romper.

Australian Smocking & Embroidery - Issue No. 88

We do have the latest issue of AS&E in stock. All issues include full sized patterns, color photographs and detailed instructions. Order your copy today!

Sewing Inspiration

We have a real treat for you! Recently, we added several new photographs to our Photo Gallery.

In case you haven't had a chance to see them yet, I'll give you a sneak peak here. It will really be worth your time to take a few minutes to browse through the new photo slideshows on the website.

After years of planning and buying and saving lace, The Heirloom Senior Portrait Dress is a mother's dream come true. It is absolutely gorgeous! I hope it inspires you to also start planning an heirloom dress to sew when your daughter reaches her senior year.

View the photographs and read Debbie's story.

Is there anything more exciting than sewing for a first grandchild? Little Miss Charlotte is absolutely adorable in her heirloom dress sewn for her by her grandmother. It is so sweet, you just have to see for yourself.

View the photographs of Little Miss Charlotte's Heirloom Dress.

New Pattern and New Instructional Sewing DVD

I hope everyone had a great summer. Even though fall is almost here, it still feels like summer here in Alabama.

This is one of our busy times of the year in the shop. After Labor Day many of you are ready to sew again! We have received an exceptionally large number of orders, but we put in a lot of overtime and are happy to tell you that we are on schedule with shipping.

New Patterns and a New "How to" Sewing DVD

We have a lot of new goodies for you! Lots of new patterns that we'll be putting on the website as soon as possible.

Jane's First Day Dress

Martha Pullen has a new pattern in her Sew Beautiful Collection. Jane's First Day Dress is a sweet pattern for girls sizes 2 - 6.

It has several variations for differents look and can be sewn as either a dress or a tunic. The front of the dress and the collar are perfect for embroidery.

Click here for more information and to order Jane's First Day Dress. It is in stock and ready to ship.

Perfect Peter Pan Collars with Lezette Thomason

Martha Pullen Company also has a new instructional DVD that you will love.

Perfect Peter Pan Collars with Lezette Thomason will show you how to easily sew a perfect Peter Pan collar! All of Martha's instructional DVD's are excellent. This is one you will want to add to your sewing library.

Click here for more information and to order the Perfect Peter Pan Collars DVD. It is also in stock and ready to ship.

2 New Summer Patterns!

We have two new summer patterns for girls that you will love. Both of these patterns are fun and easy to sew! Both patterns are in stock and ready to ship.

Maddie's Tiered Sundress is new from Ginger Snaps Designs. This pattern is very versatile and you will find so many uses for it. It is a multi-sized pattern for girls sizes 4 to 12.

Tiered skirts are in style right now for girls and with Maddie's Tiered Sundress you can make a cool and trendy sundress.

When fall arrives, you can sew a pretty jumper with this pattern using Featherwale Corduroy!

Go to Maddies Tiered Sundress

Riley's is new pattern from Bonnie Blue Designs. It is an adorable play set for girls sizes 6 months to 6 years.

It includes ruffled tops, shorts and mid calf length pants. Detailed instructions and illustrations for quick and easy construction.

Go to Riley's

Free Vintage Simplicity Pattern!

Today's vintage pattern is so cute, I love these pinafores! For an adorable, old fashioned look, make the pinafore out of Swiss Cotton Organdy.

We want to again say thank you to Mrs. Jo W. in Orangeburg, S.C. Jo has generously contributed vintage patterns from her own collection to our vintage pattern giveaway!

Today's Free Vintage Pattern

Simplicity 8253 - Size 2

Child's One-Piece Dress and Pinafore

Versions A and B: Bodice of dress has round neckline, short puffed sleeves and full skirt which is gathered at the waistline with single ruffle hem trim. The pinafore has shoulder ruffle gathered skirt and back button closing. Version C: The dress is sleeveless and has ribbon bow trim on bodice front and skirt pockets.

Fabric Suggestions: Cotton, Organdy, Dotted Swiss

Use this link to notify us that you want this pattern, Simplicity 8253.

*** UPDATE - This vintage pattern has been claimed and is no longer available. Stay tuned, more free vintage patterns to come in the near future!

How to claim this pattern: Send us your name, address and the pattern number. The pattern will go to the first one who notifies us that they want it.

Just a Few Rules - The Free Vintage Patterns are an exclusive offer to our newsletter/blog subscribers only. The free offers will be limited to the USA only. We will mail them to home addresses only, no P.O. Boxes, mail forwarding services or businesses. Some of the patterns are very old and in fragile condition. They will be distributed "as is". This free offer is for fun, without warranty or guarantees.

New Issue of Australian Smocking and Embroidery!

The latest issue (number 87) of AS&E is in stock. You won't want to miss a single issue of this wonderful magazine that is published by Country Bumpkin Publications.

As always, it includes full size patterns, color photographs, plus detailed instructions and illustrations to help you create gorgeous garments.

Order yours today!

New Baby Daygown Patterns by Martha Pullen!

Just arrived, hot off the press, are 2 new pattern books from Martha Pullen!

The Baby Daygowns Round Yoke Collection and the Baby Daygowns Square Yoke Collection books include daygowns, bubbles, bibs, bonnets, blankets and many more heirloom sewing projects for you to make for the baby.

Martha's patterns always have great instructions and illustrations to make it easy for you to have fun with heirloom sewing.

Both of these books include full sized patterns in sizes preemie through 24 months.

You will have a hard time deciding which book you want, so order them both! They are bargain priced at only $19.95 each.

These pattern books are in stock and ready to ship. Order yours today!

Baby Daygown Round Yoke Collection

Baby Daygown Square Yoke Collection

Free Vintage Patterns Again!

We're back with more free vintage patterns for you! It's been awhile since my last post because we have been so busy filling all of your orders and shipping them out as fast as possible.

It seems everyone has started their spring sewing early this year. That's great because it gives you time to enjoy your sewing without having to rush.

Stay tuned for more posts to come with news about our upcoming fabric sale, more vintage patterns, inspiring photos of a gorgeous heirloom dress for an older girl and lots more goodies.

Today's Free Vintage Patterns

Special thanks goes to Lydia B. in Kokomo, IN for donating these two patterns to be given away.

How to claim one of these patterns: For fastest submission, use our Vintage Pattern Request form that we setup especially for this. There is only one available of each pattern and it will go to the first person who notifies us that they want it. No purchase necessary.

Simplicity 7920 - Size 6

Child's Dress (Description from pattern back): The dress with lowered waistline seam has back zipper, set-in sleeves and pleated skirt. Braid trimmed V. 1 has bias roll collar and long sleeves. V. 2 with ribbon knot trim has purchased belt and contrasting collar and cuffs. Lace and button trimmed V. 3 with contrasting collar has short sleeves and ribbon tie belt.

Use this link to notify us that you want this pattern, Simplicity 7920.

Advance 6216 - Size 4

I love this dress, it is adorable! View one is a sleeveless dress with collar, trimmed with lace. View 2 is a collarless dress with puffed sleeves.

The suggested fabrics (listed on the back of the pattern) for the dress are pique, chambray, sheer cotton, taffeta, gingham, cotton broadcloth. For the panty, percale, chambray and cotton broadcloth.

You don't see many vintage patterns like this one, they are getting very hard to find. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are interested in it because I doubt that it will be available for very long.

Use this link to notify us that you want this pattern, Advance 6216.