Gus' Easter Outfit

Well since it's almost Christmas and 30 degrees outside - it's time for a blast from the past showcasing Gus' Easter outfit in 2001.



Here is a closeup of Gus' button up pants outfit. I used linen/cotton with narrow rick rack and bear buttons from JoAnns.


I used out-of-print Simplicity 9641. I think this is the first time when one of my creations looks EXACTLY like the pattern picture.




Close up of shirt front.


Closeup of front back.

Little bear buttons.

Bonnie's Silk Dress

In 2004, I made Bonnie a dress to wear to Bill's brother's wedding. I can't find a picture of her in the dress. If I find one, I will post it. At the wedding, she was fussy so I took her out of the church to the vestibule where she proceeded to step through the delicate lace border (you can see my hasty patch work on the front right side of the dress). I bought thread and a needle at a fabric store between the wedding and the reception and hastily tried to tack it up. This is not easy - heirloom sewing creates a scant 1/8 hem. Not a lot to work with.





Closeup of the back of the dress. I think I bought the dupioni from Curran Designer Fabrics. The laces are from GStreet Fabrics.

I'm not sure what pattern I used.



Closeup of sleeve lace and ribbon.



Closeup of lace hem.

Closeup of collar and embroidery motif. I got the embroidery design from Ann the Gran.

Carl's Baptism

In 2001, I made Carl's baptismal gown. Picture above shows my sister with Carl and myself.

Linda and Bill with Godparents - my sister and brother-in-law. Notice Gus stealing Carl's cap. It was from his baptism so I guess he wanted it back. I ran out of time to make Carl his own hat.


Carl's gown is from a pattern from one of Martha Pullen's books. I ordered the batiste, laces, and entredeux from Martha Pullen also.


Carl just not appreciating all the work that went into his gown.


Picture shows embroidery, lace and entredeux work. I used my Bernina 180 to embroider a rose in each godet.

Still not happy.
Gus walking around Carl's gown.

Gus' Baptism

In 2000, I made Gus' baptismal gown. As you can tell, he was unbearably cute! This is about the only picture of him where he is happy. He seemed to have understood that he was wearing a dress and that this was uncool. Bill must have been whispering things in his ear.

I used a pattern from Vogue that was copied from Theodore Roosevelt's baptismal gown. It included a cap, gown and slip.

I bought the cotton batiste, laces and entredeux from G Street Fabrics. Warning: the materials for heirloom sewing are VERY expensive. I probably spent a good $200. Sewing the batiste was like sewing air. I ended up heavily starching it and rinsing the starch out.

Heirloom sewing is actually relatively simple. The fabric, laces and entredeux are attached to each other with a simple zig zag stitch. It is however, very time consuming. You have to attach row after row of laces and entredeux. All of the seams are finished with french seams.

Gus, Bill and I with my parents. Bonnie also wore Gus's baptismal gown. Bill's brother was ordained a priest the day before, so I ran out of energy to sew Bonnie her own gown as well as a set of vestments. Here is a picture of my dad holding Bonnie in her sling at the baptism.