Treats in the Mail!

My wonderful Mom gave me gift certificates to some of my favorite Heirloom Shops for Christmas. I decided that I want to make Andy a new bubble for Easter. I have 2 "rabbit" smocked bubbles from my other boys, but one is too small and one is too big, since they were younger for their first Easter. I had a ball making my selections at Bessie Mary (hi, Jan!) and Farmhouse Fabrics. I filled and emptied my cart many times before finally placing my orders. Here's what I chose from Bessie Mary:

This is a beautiful spring green check, 100% cotton with a beautiful feel. I'm not sure what I'm going to make from this (yet).

The blue is Imperial broadcloth with matching piping. I bought it to go with the colorful plaid I already had. Andy couldn't resist grabbing the package of piping.

The fabric on the left is cotton pique. I love this for boy's shirts, collars, and cuffs. I can't buy any nice fabrics locally and my small stash of pique has been used up, so this will be great. On the right is white Skip Dent. It is a poly/cotton with a subtle woven stripe. I have been wanting to try this ever since I saw it on Southern Matriarch. I think it would be nice for a shirt or bubble for Andy and I love the easy-care of poly/cotton. Jan sent along some swatches to tempt me!
And from Farmhouse Fabrics:

I've been coveting this fabric for a long time! I bought pre-made matching piping, which will save me a lot of time. I can try my new Piping Foot for the first time, too. Sewing piping without a piping foot is NOT fun! Here's what I'm going to make with this fabric:

I'm planning to make the smocked version with the shaped collar. This is one of the disgusting number of several patterns I've been wanting to try for a long time.

The blue is a cotton broadcloth by Calvin Klein. I thought it would be nice for a romper or shirt. I don't have specific plans for it yet. The 2 wrapped white fabrics are special interfacings. The much recommended German interfacing and a good-quality Baby interfacing. The German interfacing is fusible 100% cotton and doesn't pucker like some fusibles.

Last but not least, some Swiss Wale Pique, 100% cotton.
I am hoping to start Andy's romper tomorrow. I already traced my pattern and I'm ready to go. I look forward to sharing the finished bubble with you!

I Love Vintage Patterns!

This pretty dress pattern arrived in the mail today. I purchased it on ebay because I love the style. I like the side-button opening, the simple collar, and the flared skirt is flattering. I would like to make this in a pretty floral 30's print. I thought this pattern was from the 1940's, but its copyright is actually 1956; more June Cleaver than Olivia Walton. When I opened up the envelope, I found an extra treat. There was a 2-sided advertisement for other pattern styles. I think you will enjoy seeing it.

Some of these are so pretty; I love 8108 and 8109. The dresses in the top row look more 50's to me. That very full skirt is what I think of as a 50's look. The other side of the ad has girl's patterns.
Do you collect vintage patterns, too?

Herbal Hostess Gift

Tomorrow, Hubby and I are going to a dinner party at his boss's house. It will be fun to go out alone, though it took a lot of organizing to do it. Because we have to travel an hour AND we'll be out all evening AND the baby is still little and wants me at night AND my Mom and chief babysitter has a broken foot, we rented 2 hotel rooms near the house at which we are having dinner. My Mom and Dad will take the kids to the pool, have dinner, and watch movies while we are out, so it will be a mini-vacation for all of us!
I wanted to make a special machine embroidered hostess gift and my sewing friends thought kitchen towels would be nice. I have a small stash of nice towels that I ordered from Embroider This. I used 2 white waffle weave cotton towels. They are quite large, soft, and have a nice loop in the corner for hanging (and I even remembered to ME the other end!). I thought about my favorite vintage designs from Sew Weird, but since I don't know this couple, I wanted something that would appeal to a wide range of ladies, so I chose Toile Herbs from EmbLibrary for the designs.
 I used oregano and parsley because we are having chicken parmigiana. I thought about making them both green, but I liked their example in tan, so I made them different.

 I love designs in one color, because once you get it going, it stitches very quickly! These designs were only 9 to 10 thousand stitches each, so I was done both towels in less than an hour.

Tomorrow morning I will bake my Mom's recipe for Scotch Chocolate Cake. It is DELICIOUS! I'll try to post photos and the recipe on Sunday. I hope this Hostess Gift is enjoyed!

Linking to Sew Darn Crafty!