Gossamer Threads

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Gossamer Threads is the name of my little sewing business. To me it brought to mind the thought of fine, delicate threads carefully woven in beautiful designs. I am gearing up to make some one of a kind bonnet & bootie sets to sell on ebay, maybe with matching bibs and blankets. I have been collecting precious babay fabric for a few years ago, and it's time to put it to use. For now, my favorite projects are below.

The newest is a baby dress in white Swiss flannel with a pink scalloped applique hem, bullion rosebuds and roses, embroidered lace beading threaded with silk ribbon at the cuffs, and a lace ruffled neckline and cuffs, with a matching bonnet & booties & a slip. These were made as a gift for my Aunt Marilyn who gave them to a co-worker who just had a baby girl. Aunt Marilyn introduced me to sewing as a child, when she made matching outfits for my sister Alison & I. Then when I was a senior in high school, she took me to the fabric store and let me pick out my prom gown (a red satin strapless tea length dress with a square cut out in the back and purse & shoes dyed to match.) She bought the material, and had it made for me by a sweet lady, Mrs. Range, who Grandma also hired. I think I look a little like Aunt Marilyn in the picture.

Back then I had hardly attempted any sewing except to make a few little purses to hold cosmetics. I never thought about taking sewing in school, but don't know why. I never sewed until I hand made my mom a nightgown for her birthday and she bought me a sewing machine right after that for my 19th birthday. Then I made baby clothes for Eden (she was one year old!) and a few for me (poufy Laura Ashley Jumpers were my favorite!) Sewing for Eden led me to attempt my first smocked dress, which introduced me to French Heirloom Sewing. One day, in Boulder I came across a sewing program called Martha's Sewing Room (I was planning my wedding at that time) and suddenly I was hooked on heirloom sewing. Now you know the history of my sewing interest. Thrills! (Can't help but include the critical side comments)

 My Finest Work!

Office Chair Slip Cover

Antique Embroidered Table Cloth with a Skirt of William Morris Reproduction Fabric Strips and some antique lace trim.

Chair Cover Front Chair Back
Sisters of the Wild Frontier Swing Bag

Amy Butler Swing Bag in

Alexander Henry's

Sisters of the Wild Frontier Fabric

hand beaded detail on fabric.

Beading detail sisters of the wild frontier purse

iPod Case:
I love my iPod - I jog with it, carrying it in my hand because it shouldn't be shaken up, and I keep lots of photos on it and some favorite movies. But my case didn't hold the ear phones or the AV cord, which I like to bring along when I want to show photo slide shows when I'm out and about. Naturally, nothing I saw was cute or free enough for me, so I made my own.

ipod case detail ipod case av accessory
ipod case accessory display av cord The picture pocket holds the ear phones, the tan pocket holds the AV cord. I fussy cut the panels because I thought the symmetry was much more appealing. The beads are for bling! I finished it July 3, 2006 ipod case empty accessory
Right: French Memo Board with Wutherig Heights fabrics by Three Sisters. I LOVE this fabric! French Memo Board  
Halloween Table Runner Halloween Table Runner Halloween Table Runner Quilt Detail
  Smocking Detail  
Velvet Smocked Christmas Stocking Left and Above are of Mom Jean's Christmas Stocking in Velvet and Han Smocked Embroidered Ivory Batiste Christmas Tree Costumes
  Snowman Costumes The surrounding pictures are of the Bradley Beach 1st grade class in their Christmas (oops! "Holiday") Show costumes.
Raya's Jeans Purse This is a purse I made for my girlfriend out of an old pair of Trip's jeans. It is lined with vintage paisley fabric, trimmed with a silk ribbon R stitched down with a row of seed beads. All made with items I had at home! Candy Cane Cosutmes
A Swiss Flannel baby dress
for Hanna Rose
Hand embroidered bullion roses &
an appliqued hem
cowboy set
blanket detailA
 



A cowboy baby set with a romper, reversible jacket, bib & blanket. featuring shadow work embroidery and matching bias binding.
cowboy jacket
cowboy jacket detail
Nathan's Welcoming Outfit
in Baby Blue Swiss Flannel with antique laces and hand embroidery

Our Christmas Tree Skirt William Morris fabrics in Victorian crazy patch with hand beading and embroidery

left: Carly's Dress & Bib
right: Meredith modeling Sophia's dress

 

Flower girl dresses for Stephanie's wedding
11 - 07- 1997

Jewelry Purses
for my bridesmaids & me
in Silk Dupionni with Silk Ribbon Embroidery

My Ring Bearer Pillow
in Silk Dupionni &
English Netting Lace
with Pearls

(l) James' Bubble
in Baby Whale Cotton
(r) Zoe's Bubble
in Broadcloth

Elliot's Layette:
Coming home outfit
in Swiss Flannel
&
Crib Quilt & Sheet
in Pima Cotton Broadcloth

Elliot's Carriage Blanket
in Wool & Silk
- my biggest project!

A Jewelry Purse
Engagement gift

Santa & an Elf
for the
Ocean Grove Flower Shop

(a cool thing about the Elf Overalls - knowing he was a growing boy - I made it extra long with facing in the cuffs, and with plenty of strap - he wore it every year into his teens)

Eden's Smocked Dress

 

The links below are some very handy sewing links or they represent some nice businesses I've dealt with over the years.

Embroidery

  • Country Bumpkin publishers of Inspirations magazine and some of the finest books on embroidery I've ever seen.
  • Anne Powell Ltd. Very nice gifts and cross stitch for those who love sewing

Quilting

  • Equilter.com Really nice selection of quilting fabrics on an easy to search site. I've even got a wishlist up here - hint hint!
  • Sensibility Patterns - Lovely reproduction patterns from Titanic Era, Edwardian Times, 1914, made for today's bodies.
  • Heirloom patterns for Boys - Yes, there are adorable sweet baby clothes patterns for boys - too bad you can't get away with dressing them like this once they are beyond age 2
  • ReproDepot Fabrics - nice reproduction vintage fabrics.
  • Bernina ONLINE - They make the best sewing machines in the world. After sewing on one at my job I couldn't go back to my Kenmore. It was like driving an old Volkswagen after riding in a Rolls Royce.
  • Sewbaby! Homepage - This site has lots of patterns for baby clothes and accessories.
  • Martha Pullen - Martha Pullen is one of the best known heirloom sewing enthusiasts in the country. It was by seeing her television program that this whole world of fine sewing was opened to me. She sells books fabrics and notions along with offering classes.
  • Lily Abello's Sewing Resource Guide - This site has a huge number of sewing links of all types - categorized and cross referenced. Historical patterns, costumers, professionals, dream sewing rooms, fabrics - you name it.
  • Welcome to Farmhouse Fabrics - This site has very nice quality fabrics - and was able to find things I couldn't find ANYWHERE! Fine baby whale corduroy, Swiss flannels, striped piping, antique buttons and more.
  • Heirloom Sewing, Smocking and Bridal at Baltazors - I actually haven't bought anything from them yet, but they have very nice laces and fabrics.
  • G Street Fabrics - This store is the largest retail fabric store I have ever seen. They do mail order, but it's worth the trip some day to see it in person.
    (301) 231-8960
  • Mini Magic Inc. - Sells heirloom fabric cleaning supplies
    3918 Patricia Dr., Columbus, OH 43220
    614-457-3687
  • Nostalgic Needle Works - Heirloom Fabrics& Notions
    5763 Airport Blvd., Mobile, AL 36608
    (800) 699-0991
  • Quilting Possibilities - A big quilt shop and Bernina Dealer
    Jim & Debbie Welch, 500 US Highway No 9, Bayville, NJ 08721
    (732) 269-8383
  • Stitch N Sew - Huge selection of fabric, buttons, and upholstery fabrics & supplies
    123 E. County Line Road, Lakewood, NJ 08701
    (908) 363-2220

Sasha's Roots | Our Family Tree | Photo Album | Elliot | Alexander | Nathan | Voluntary Simplicity | Health & Fitness
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Sasha Mitchell

Date Last Modified: September 2006