I'm Baaaack!!! With a lovely little antique booklet on how to dress your baby!

            How to Dress the Baby


     Summer is here, so I am hoping to have a bit more time to devote to my blog, as well as stitching, sewing and cleaning!  This spring was hectic, as we had 2 college graduations, mixed in with a lovely trip to Missouri to teach for the Show Me Stitchers.  I have started my (late) Spring Cleaning with a bang, and ran across this cute little booklet, so I thought I'd share it with you!  It was distributed by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, and it does not have a date on it, but looking at the clothing styles worn by the mothers.........I'd say it was early 1920's.

                           The pages are yellowed, but to me, that only enhances the booklet!!!!

     The 'new' idea that shattered years of tradition was to dress your baby in clothes that open in the front (instead of the back).  Dr. Josephine Baker touted the benefits - more comfort for the baby and much easier for the mother.  You can dress your baby in 2 minutes!  There was also a pattern that came along with the booklet, although I do not have that (darn!).

     The idea is to layer the clothes (lay the petticoat over the dress, so when you put the arms in, you are putting the arms in the petticoat and the dress at the same time, etc.)

              I must say I am glad that we do not have as many layers today as in days gone by!   

     Besides ease, babies no longer had pins or buttons going up their back that they were laying on - makes sense!  I have my own rule of thumb regarding sashes that follows along the same line.  I do not put sashes on dresses smaller than a size 1 (or if I am making it for someone in particular, I don't put sashes on dresses of the wearer isn't walking yet), as I do not want them laying on a big bow at their back!
     Materials - of course a thin, sheer fabric for the dress!  Cottons are preferred, and no mention of polyester (at this point in time, polyester was not something that was used in yard goods).

 
     As I mentioned, I do not have the pattern, but there are some descriptions - the day gown (22 inches long) was made with tape or ribbon in the neck and sleeves.  This was so it could be drawn up to fit a newborn and then let out as the baby grew.

      

                  

     And of course, for the discerning mother, a list of what you need for your layette!  Bands were used for up to 6 weeks on a newborn - at least until the cord dropped off.  They were tied around the stomach as a sort of support.  Diapers were often made of wool (held moisture better) and were changed as soon as the baby was damp.  Me?  I am thankful for disposables!!!!


   I hope you enjoyed this - I will be posting throughout the summer, I promise!

As an aside, this is the first year since about 2000 that I have not gone to Arlington, TX, to the Martha;s Sewing Extravaganza.    With the demise of Sew Beautiful (just got my last issue yesterday in the mail) and the end of the 'heirloom' part of Sew Beautiful, the show was not held this year.  Hello to all of you that I usually see in TX!  Miss you!

Happy Stitching,
Vaune

     An Afternoon with Grandmere'
   August 22-24, 2014 with Pre-Day on August 21

     Join Vaune and Cindy in the hills of Santa Barbara for 'Volume 2' of our Artisan Academy.......  An Afternoon with Grandmere'.

    What is it about French children’s clothing that is so distinctly different from what one might see in Los Angeles, NYC, Boston, or Birmingham? Parisian mothers dress their little girls in classic, understated silhouettes with careful attention to rich color palettes, luxurious fabrics, and with an eye for style as well as function. “Season 2 of the Vaune and Cindy Show” offers a captivatingly charming ensemble that ticks all the boxes of the French traditions. An intriguing, technique-filled project coupled with a unique setting overlooking the ocean make for a not-to-be-missed experience. Please join us next August. Contact Vaune for registration form or more info at vaune@vaune.com or 805-529-5005.

Pre-registration is open now for Artisan Academy 'alums'.  Regular registration opens March 30, 2014.

We hope to see you there!

Happy Stitching!

Vaune

Stitching Serenity 13... and a German Apple Cake recipe!

Stitching Serenity 13...until next year!


    
We had another wonderful weekend in Santa Barbara (other than being a bit warm!) for the 'Berry Good Smockers Stitching Serenity 13. 

 

 

     Our class the first day was the Terrific Tote, and everyone worked hard to get as much of their bag completes while we were in Santa Barbara.  We has one who finished completely (no unfinished project for her!) and everyone else got down to the last step or 2!

 

 

 

     You can see me cracking the whip, showing one of the steps for the outside of the bag.

 



     Here are some of the 'almost' finished bags.  As you can see, Irene marched to the beat of her own drum and made a cure pink/green floral bag.  Some people were camera shy, as were their bags!

 

 

     Here is a shot of just the bags.  A fun time was had by all!

 

 

The second day was Embroidery of Madeira, Part I and Part II.  We watched slides and looked at many of my Madeira treasures and then did some stitching the Madeira way!

 

 

     We celebrated 2 birthdays that weekend, so I brought a German Apple Cake for Irene and Roseann.  My kids were bummed, as they were not allowed to eat it!  It is a great cake - not too sweet.  It is perfect with a little dollop of whipped cream or ice cream.  No pictures now, as I forgot to take them in SB, and too hot to make a cake right now!  Will post the next time that I make it.

 

Here is the recipe:

 

German Apple Cake

Heat oven to 350°                                           Grease and flour a tube pan

4-5 med apples, peeled and sliced thin                   2 tsp cinnamon                      5 T sugar

3 cups flour            2 cups sugar               3 tsp. baking POWDER
1 tsp salt               ¼ cup orange juice      4 eggs
1 cup oil                2 1/2 tsp vanilla
                                                                                     

Mix sliced/peeled apples with cinnamon and sugar and set aside.

Mix the rest of the ingredients.  Layer in floured tube pan: 
Dough
Apples
Dough
Apples
Dough

Bake at 350° for 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes.  Cool before removing.

Enjoy!

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th.

 

Happy Stitching,Vaune

PS PPD arrived in warehouse Tuesday - I should have them by the end of next week, finger crossed!

 

 





Happy 3rd? of July!

 

Happy 3rd of July, and 4th too!

 

 

 

 

 

     I live in a small town of about 30,000, about 60 miles from Los Angeles.  A suburb of the suburbs of LA, as I like to say.  We have lived here 25+ years and have seen it really grow. 

 

 

 

     When it incorporated (about 3 years before we moved here), they did not have much money.   When it came time to make plans for the 4th of July, the City Council found out that if they did the fireworks on the 3rd, they were half price!



 

     The tradition was born!  It has really grown!  There is a huge gathering at the main park with food vendors, bands, etc.  We always walk to one of two parks that are 2 blocks from our  house and watch from there - you can see everything (although 25 years have made the trees a bit taller!) and enjoy the show!  We just got back from our Oooohhhhh and Aaaaahhhhh visit, watching all of the fireworks, and even though these pictures are not the best, it is a joyful reminder of the freedoms that we have in this country.

 

Have a wonderful and safe 4th of July, and remember that we live in the greatest country in the world!

 

 

On another note..............I am actually home for a while and will be posting a bit more regularly. Santa Barbara and Stitching Serenity 13 was last weekend - the totes were great and I had the best time looking (and remembering) at my embroideries from Madeira - brought back such wonderful memories!   I will be sharing my favorite tools in my next series, along with my recipe for German Apple Cake!

 

Happy Stitching,

Vaune



Back from Texas!

                      Trip to Texas!

     I am back from my travels, for a while, anyway!  I have been to Texas to teach, see old friends, and to make some new ones!

 

     I joined the ladies of the Heart of Texas (the HOT ladies, for those of you who like acronyms!), in Waco for 2 days of classes!  This catch-all was the favor that Shirley Ganske made for all of the attendees - perfect for everyone who sews or stitches!  The Brazos River is one of the 2 main rivers in Waco.

 

     They have a wonderful library that lets them use the meeting rooms for meetings and classes.

 

     You can see everyone getting busy with their patterns for class!

 



 

 

     We did some stitching and sewing on the first day, with everyone working hard!

 

 

     The second day, we had several ladies drive down from Austin to join us for some smocking.

 



 

 

     You can see everyone is concentrating and working hard on making perfect stitches!

 

 

     It was a great visit - I met several wonderful ladies and caught up with a few friends.  The weather was wonderful - it was early enough in June that it was not too hot or humid.  It was almost like I wasn't in Texas!

 

     I am home for a while now and will post a bit more through out the summer!  Several new things that are going on!  Perfect Party Dresses should be shipped this week - I will let you all know when they arrive!

Happy Stitching,

Vaune



 

 

Vaune Pierce and Cindy Foose in Santa Barbara, August 23-25, 2013

Join Vaune and Cindy for the
Artisan Academy - a weekend
of construction techniques
 

 

 

 

     

       You can check out the brochure at

 

http://www.vaune.com/newsletters/2013_08_23_Artisan_Academy_Vaune_and_Cindy.pdf

     As we have traveled around the country teaching for various SAGA Chapters, we hear over and over again that you all are not confident enough in your construction techniques to submit the Artisan level projects in the Artisan Program.  We have talked at length about what we could do to change that, and the Artisan Academy was born!

     This weekend is a notebook format, and we will focus on each technique so that you are confidant in your construction skills.  You do not have to be enrolled in the Artisan Program!  The focus is on the techniques required for the construction area of the Artisan level, but these techniques are used in quality construction, so whether your focus is the Artisan Program or perfecting your construction techniques for your personal sewing, the Artisan Academy will fit the bill.

Vaune and Cindy will each teach 6 hours of classes that will cover construction techniques:
Attaching smocked yoke to piping
French Seams
Set in Gathered Sleeve
Set in Eased Sleeve
Attach Peter Pan Collar
Corded Bias Piping
Bias Neck Binding
Continuous Bound Placket
Buttons and Buttonholes
Loops
Hand Stitched Hem
Manipulate Smocking into a Shape

We will also cover writing and graphing smocking directions.

     To make this weekend even better, it is being held at a retreat house in the hills of Santa Barbara.  If it is clear, you can look out at the Pacific Ocean and see the Channel Islands!  Quiet and relaxing, this is the perfect spot for a sewing retreat.  You arrive Friday afternoon and finish Sunday afternoon, but you have the option of staying over Sunday night if you want to take some extra time to stitch, relax, or explore!

     Everything is included in the cost except for transportation. 
                                          $395
                 covers Class Fee, Kit Fee, Room and Meals

All the information is included in the brochure.  You can also find it at www.vaune.com under the Newsletters link at the top of the page.  If you have questions, feel free to email me (vaune@vaune.com) or call at 805-529-5005.

    We hope to see you there!

Happy Stitching,
Vaune

Threads Magazine and Smocking

Smocking is making a comeback!

                    Cover of current issue of Threads - #167

 

     My newest issue of Threads Magazine (#167) arrived in the mail today - I had been anxiously awaiting to see..................  there are many great articles, including one on sewing in France, along with names and addresses of many shops that sewers and stitchers would be interested in.  The article that I was really looking forward to is an article called "Smock a bodice - Delicate stitches pleat fabric for shape and texture". 

     Last month in Vogue magazine, there was also an article on smocking.  (Thanks, Barbara Meger, for the heads up!).  When I was looking through the last issue of Threads, I noticed in the 'In Our Next Issue' that smocking was listed.  I got in touch with the editor's assistant (who was lovely) and told her about Smocking Arts Guild of America, and what a wonderful reference we are to anyone who loves smocking.  She agreed that would be useful information to include in the article, and while she couldn't promise anything...

     As soon as I got it out of the mailbox, I flipped through, found the article, and there it was - "for more on smocking, visit Smocking Arts Guild of America (SAGA) at smocking.org."

 

 

                             Back cover of Threads #167

     One of the neat features of Threads is the back cover.  In each issue, they take an incredible garment (can be because of design, embroidery, details, etc.) and give a whole view of the garment and an up close view of the garment.  Many years ago (and I am dating myself here), the back cover picture was of a pleated piece from Sarah Douglas.  The detail that made it so incredible was the way she pleated it.  She started with a regular piece of fabric that was on grain, but as she pleated it, she torqued the fabric left and then right so that when it was finished, the PLEATS were in a zigzag pattern.
     A plug here for Threads.......... I have a LOT of magazines!  I hate to throw them away and love them for ideas, reference, and eye candy.  Unfortunately, I don't have room for as many magazines as I'd like, so I have had to pare down.  One of the things that I really like about Threads is the options that they have for their subscriptions.  They do have the option of e-subscriptions (ipads, kindles, I  think).  They also have Threads Insider, which is an additional $12, I think, but you get emails every couple of weeks with 'extras' - the last one was a picture tutorial on how Kennith King lines his jackets.  Well worth the money!
     Threads has really good construction instructions (can anyone say 'conjunction junction'!), that are perfect for those of you who want to incorporate smocking into clothes that you make for yourselves!  Smocking is not just for children!!!

Go out and get yourself the latest copy of Threads - you won't be disappointed!  I am personally cutting out the article on Sewing in Paris for my Bucket List folder!

Happy Stitching,
Vaune