Showing posts with label summer sewing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer sewing. Show all posts

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Sewing in Red, White and Blue

June / July 2014
Dear Readers: After much analysis and discussion with our team, we at The Martha Pullen Company have made the difficult decision that Sew Beautiful magazine will publish its last issue this summer. For a generation we have provided the very best information and instruction you - our readers - demand. Due to changes in the market, and the magazine industry, and after seeing a decreasing number of subscribers over the years, it was no longer economically viable to publish the magazine. We instead will put our resources, energy and talents toward new and growing areas of The Martha Pullen Company business including the Internet Embroidery Club, our live - and new online - events, our popular Martha Pullen Company Online Store and more. (If you are a subscriber, you will receive information directly from us regarding your remaining issues.) 

We will strive to continue to inspire and instruct you in support of our shared passion, and our website, blog and community will continue to live on and be fostered. Though the magazine is closing, we'll turn our focus to offering you exclusive project kits, new products in our online store, live and online sewing education events, etc. We will also regularly provide you with new content on our website. Watch for more to come as we refocus and redouble our efforts to better serve you!

With that being said, we still have two more wonderful issues of this beloved magazine - the first of which we have a preview to share with you today. Its theme is "red, white and blue sewing." Of course in heirloom sewing, our version of red, white and blue isn't always the bold primary versions teamed with the starkness of white. For us, pastel blue, a wash of pink and an ivory hue are just as appealing as their more patriotic partners. Below, take a sneak peek at some of our favorite vintage-inspired designs this issue has to offer:


Cherry Dress & Whitework Embroidery in Blue

Cherry Dress - This pattern from Laurie Anderson is a classic. It's a button-front design with knife pleats in front and back, and piping trims the sleeves and Peter Pan collar. A clever buttonhole functions to close the dress down the front and decorates it too, with cheery sets of button cherries.

Whitework Embroidery in Blue - Traditional whitework embroidery doesn't necessarily require working with white threads. In fact, the term "whitework" refers to the stitch techniques contained in the design. In this tutorial, Wendy Schoen demonstrates a variety of whitework stitches in the perfect shade of baby blue. Follow her steps for a satiny fluidity where thread paths are practically undetectable.


Nolan's Tug Boat

Nolan's Tug Boat - Hand embroider a romper with this precious tug boat design from the 2014 Martha Pullen Internet Embroidery Club's "Heirloom Baby Designs" collection. I (Cyndi) knew I had to share a hand-stitched version of this darling motif with our readers as soon as I saw it. While machine embroidery may save time, I find there is just something so relaxing and therapeutic about handwork.


Pocket Pets Diaper Set & Grant's Vintage One-Piece Romper

Pocket Pets Diaper Set - The adorable puppy pockets on this outfit are sure to captivate tiny tots, but it's the unique couture finishes (like the bias gingham rouleau trim on the shaped yoke) that sets this design from Debbie Glenn apart.

Grant's Vintage One-Piece Romper - Our free pattern is a unique, wrap-around design Laurie Anderson reworked from an antique garment. This little classic suit is so simple to construct, you may want to make one in red, one in white and one in blue!

Visit our online store to read more about our June/July edition!

Sew On, Sew Well, Sew Beautiful,
Cyndi and Amelia

Monday, July 1, 2013

Looking for a sensational summer sewing project?

August/September 2013 edition
Our August/September 2013 edition just hit newsstands, and it is full of summer sewing inspiration! Inside, you'll find contemporary heirloom dresses from Oliver + S, tasteful warm-weather outfits from The Children's Corner and ideas for sewing matching dresses for little girls and their 18-inch dolls. Our casual cottons section focuses on sewing for summer in light, airy fabrics and playful cotton prints. And for fans of traditional heirloom, embellishment takes center stage in our special fine sewing section. We also have a feature on a beautiful Normandy lace pillow from Martha's Attic and an excerpt from our new book, Sewing for a Royal Baby. Read below for more about this new issue:


Smocked Peasant Top and Capri Pant (left) and No-Pattern T-Shirt Dress
Perfectly Pretty Smocked Peasant Top and Capri Pant: Our free pattern in this issue, as seen on the cover, is a two-piece smocked peasant top and Capri pant ensemble from designer Kathy Dykstra. Find the pattern on our pullout centerfold of this issue, and get your exclusive materials kit from the Martha Pullen store during the month of July.

No Pattern T-Shirt Dress: This adorable dress from designer Dawn Wilson was made using a simple knit T-shirt. The comfort of the knit top combined with a coordinate print creates an easy-wear option for occasions that call for something a bit dressier than play clothes.
Liberty Prints (left) and Pattern Adaptations for Boxed Pleats
Liberty Prints: Liberty of London prints are perennial favorites for anyone who sews for little girls. Connie Palmer used the jewel tone Mauvey design from Liberty in Classic Tana Lawn and tweaked our "Natalie" pattern, adding a 1-inch ruffle to the princess seams. Kits for this dress will be available from our store during the month of August.

Pattern Adaptations for Box Pleats: Something as simple as adding contrasting pleats to a classic pattern can result in a fresh, new look. Here, Janet Gilbert demonstrates how you can play with fabric coordinates and pattern drafting by adding contrasting pleats to our Sew Beautiful Collection pattern "Dainty Designs."


Royal Christening Gown (left) and Classic Shirt Construction Details
A Glimpse at Our Take on the Royal Christening Gown: Connie Palmer and Kathy Barnard show you how to apply a wide gathered netting ruffle to any round neckline in an excerpt from our newest heirloom sewing book, Sewing for a Royal Baby. 

Classic Shirt Construction Details: In sewing for her three boys, Michié Mooney learned quickly the importance of neatly turned collars and nicely stitched neckbands. Here, she shares tips to help you give your little guy's shirt a professional finish.

Sew On, Sew Well, Sew Beautiful,
Cyndi and Amelia