A Little Pooh

You may remember my post about the Winnie the Pooh vintage pattern a few weeks ago. Well, I finally had a chance to make it. I scaled the pattern down by 50% to make a Mini Winnie. 
The pieces were tiny! 19 pieces make up this little bear, which is only 7" tall. It was a challenge to stitch everything together with 1/8" seam allowances. I could hardly reach in to pin things together. The fabric is called "furry felt." The 1/4 yard I used for this was only $1 at JoAnn's and I think the color and the pile are just right. A bit of furriness, but not too fluffy.

I made a little bib instead of a red shirt, because this Mini Winnie is destined for my friend's new baby girl. Did you notice the Classic Pooh sheet Winnie is sitting on? The girls and I are dressing up a bassinet that we bought at a yard sale and I made the sheet from flannel. The girls are stitching things for it, too, and I will share it when we are done.

Making the face gave me some trouble. I originally embroidered it by hand with black floss. It was hard to cover the pile and my stitches did not look as neat as I wanted, so I ripped them out. I finally just glued on a felt face as called for in the pattern.
One funny note about the vintage pattern I used. When I checked if all the pieces were included, everything was uncut for Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, Kanga, and Roo. Then there were some pieces neatly cut from brown paper and labeled "Bunny". Clearly the former owner wasn't into Winnie the Pooh, for she mistook little pink Piglet for a bunny!

Embroidered Yellow Button on Suit, Vintage 1940s

When I found this little suit, I knew I had to buy it for Andy. I like the style, the fabric, the soft color, but the embroidered suspenders are what put me over! It also happened to be a size 3! 

Here's Andy enjoying the swing. It's interesting to me that when he is dressed in antique or fancy clothing, he still plays just the same. He was throwing a ball, picking tomatoes, and swinging just like a regular day. I've always wondered how children used to play in such fancy clothes, but I guess the Mommies just had more work keeping them clean!

 The details on this suit are lovely. There is a hidden button placket under the 4 tiny decorative buttons on the shirt.

 The brand is "A-LAD-N-TOGS" which I have come across before.
Don't you love the Swiss embroidered edging? It is a pretty square pattern, very nice for boys.

Here's the detail of the hand embroidery on the suspenders. Very simple, but very attractive, too!

I just need to take photos of the girly, ruffled sun suit I've been working on, so I'll be back to share that soon!

Infant of Prague Memories

While browsing vintage patterns on ebay recently, this little gem was up for auction:

It is a pattern to make vestments for Infant of Prague statues. The cover looks just like one my paternal grandparents had. It reminded me of visits to their house when I was little. They lived in NYC and were very Catholic. They had a cabinet in a dark corner of the hallway with the statue on it. When I was very little, I called it the "Jesus Doll" and I wasn't sure why adults had a doll. It seemed a little spooky to me then. 
Sometimes, we would go to the North End of Boston to eat out and I would see shop windows with these statues. I never realized (until I saw this pattern) that the clothes were removable. I thought about buying this pattern because one of the reasons I chose a pattern is if it has memories attached to it. This one is also pretty rare, I would guess. I did not buy it, though, because it sold for about $34. I wonder what memories it evokes for the person who did buy it?
I have several projects "in the works" and I keep thinking I will have one done to post, but the days just fly by! I also have an adorable vintage button-on suit to share: I just need to photograph it on Andy. I hope you are all enjoying your summer as much as I am!