I spend quite a lot of time each week on digitizing or tinkering with the website, but I also like to work on other crafts and projects. This page showcases mostly things I've been working on, though I do sometimes feature items made by my sisters. Most are embroidery-related, but some show other crafts and activities as well. Many of the items, though not all, are gift items for friends and siblings, mainly for Christmas, the biggest gift-giving time of the year in my family.
If any of these project ideas interest you, please let me know and I'll post some detailed instructions.
My Sisters are So Talented!
Posted 2019 Dec 20
I'm fortunate to have several talented crafters in the family, and my sisters sent me several gorgeous handmade Christmas ornaments. I look forward each year to receiving some of their work. It's just so very beautiful!!
Click here to see a PDF with more details.
Luxurious Plush Specialty Stocking
Posted 2019 Dec 13
It may seem incongruous to give this kind of luxury treatment to a sports-themed stocking, but people in Rider Nation take their football *very* seriously!
What makes this stocking worth talking about is the fabric, because it shows just how luxurious a stocking can be when made with high-end materials. The fabric is a lovely upholstery plush -- it's got a nice hand and a soft velvety finish, and the color is rich and deep.
I made the main motif on a plain white insert, which shows up the embroidery very nicely and contrasts effectively with the green. I used a topping film when I embroidered the name and the date so that they wouldn't sink into the pile, then lined the stocking with satin fabric. (Unfortunately I forgot to take a photo of the inside before I sent it on its way!)
Although it's a little challenging to work with, the plush gives a beautiful weight and feel to the finished stocking.
I bought this yardage specifically to make stockings, but didn't really know how lovely the finished product would be til I had completed this one. (Fortunately the piece was a remnant, so I didn't have to pay the huge price that this fabric would normally command.)
Hubby was so taken with this beauty that he declared that he wants a plush stocking too. I don't blame him -- I've been thinking exactly the same thing myself.
Mini Santa Doll for the Tree
Posted 2019 Dec 06
I finished up my friend's 2019 Ornament of the Month series with this Mini Santa doll, a smaller version of a vintage doll design of my own, from back when I was an undergrad.
He's about 9.5" tall, and can perch on the tree, or lounge in a wicker sleigh that I found -- it's just his size. Read more about him in this PDF.
Humorous Mason Jar Bank
Posted 2019 Nov 29
A customized savings jar makes a terrific stocking stuffer: it's inexpensive if you use a recycled jar, and it adds a bit of humor to the gift opening festivities. I thought it was just the thing for my friend's twenty-something son's Christmas stocking!
This PDF provides details of how I made my version.
Evening in Paris Mini Stocking
Posted 2019 Nov 22
When I was a girl, the lovely floral fragrance of Evening in Paris was everywhere. It's no exaggeration to say that every teenaged girl had at least one of the many gift sets that abounded at Christmas.
Because we so often received Evening in Paris at Christmas back in the day, its iconography will always be in part a Christmas memory for me.
Capturing that memory in one of my Mini Stocking designs has been in my mind for some time now, and here, finally, is the result.
Check out the details in this PDF.
If you'd like to make the Mini Stocking design, you can grab it from this page -- scroll down to find it.
My Christmas Includes Nostalgia
Posted 2019 Nov 15
It's another non-embroidered project this week: a Christmas ornament inspired by a piece of vintage yard art that I recall fondly from my youth.
See the details in PDF form at this link.
(If you'd prefer to embroider him, there is also an Earl's Santa embroidery design inspired by the same image. Just scroll down the page to find him.)
The Teeniest of Christmas Stockings
Posted 2019 Nov 08
These stockings are just under an inch and a half tall -- they're shown on a 1" grid in the photo. I'm always looking for tiny embellishment to use in making ornaments and other Christmas crafts. How fun that this project can answer both needs!
They are so darned cute that I'm going to make a bunch more for crafting. They're too small to actually hold anything much, but you sure could roll up a tiny note and tuck it inside. To see more about how to make them, check out this PDF.
And if you'd like to make some too, download the design here.
A Polymer Clay Character Ornament
Posted 2019 Nov 1
I'm not a dab hand with polymer clay, but I am a big Looney Tunes fan, and this year I decided to make this Michigan J Frog for hubby's Christmas sock.
Want to see how I did it? Find the PDF here.
Crafting & Scrapbooking Embellishments
Posted 2019 Oct 25
I use tiny embellishments on some of my projects, but often I can't find exactly what I want in the stores, and I have to make it myself.
The embroidery machine offers extra possibilities, such as these 1" high lobsters that I used when I made these adorable matchbox ornaments.
The teeny embellishments also make cute earrings, and I'm working on more to add to the site.
Find the designs at this page, or read more about them in this PDF.
Trekkie Badge Applique on a Jacket
Posted 2019 Oct 18
My sister-in-law is crazy for all things purple, so imagine my delight to find this casual knit jacket in her size.
As it happens, she's also a Star Trek fan, and this jacket is just the right style for the addition of a Star Trek badge to the lapel.
Unfortunately, I didn't think I could get a satisfactory result if I tried stitching the badge directly to the jacket, because the princess seaming is very bulky, and it passes right over the spot where the badge would have to go.
Instead, I decided to make a patch on black felt, then applique it in place using a regular sewing machine.
At left is a close-up of the design I used. I made it in 2" size for appliqueing to the lapel. Because she's an IT specialist, I chose the science version of the badge.
Before sewing the badge in place, I applied a bit of fabric glue, and then stitched around around twice with invisible thread to ensure it will stay in place when she launders the jacket.
You may recall that I've used this same design -- in a larger size --to make the Trek Christmas stocking further down the page.
Another Christmas Stocking, with Instructions
Posted 2019 Oct 11
I make a lot of Christmas stockings, but I rarely have to do the same one twice, as I did in this case.
I made this stocking and mailed it to the new baby's mom back in the summer, only to have it go missing in the mail. It never did reach its destination, and in the meantime I broke my arm so I couldn't make another until now.
I like to line my stockings, producing a clean finish with no raw edges visible on the inside. Lining also it helps protect the back of the embroidery from abrasion as items are inserted and removed, and when it's properly attached, it will also help the stocking keep its shape.
You can't tell from the photo, but the lining of this stocking is stitched in place and will not pull out during use -- a flaw of many of the on-line instructions for making lined stockings, in my view.
I made a couple of minor changes for the second version; I went with a truer green color for the stocking body, and I used a shiny iridescent white thread instead of red to stitch the name. Both versions are lined with a holly-printed white fabric.
I've had a request for instructions on the method I use to ensure that the lining stays put and also helps the sock keep its shape over the years. (I intend the stockings I make to become heirlooms, so durability is a consideration for me.) The extra couple of steps you need to make the attached lining are straightforward to do.
If you're interested in learning my technique, which I haven't seen in any of the stocking instructions I've come across, click here to find the PDF instructions, along with the stocking template I use most often.
Altered Puzzle Ornaments
Posted 2019 Oct 04
From time to time I post non-embroidery projects like these fun ornaments made from altered pieces salvaged from a discarded child's puzzle, plus some beads from my stash.
I've made a couple dozen of these as gifts and for my own tree. You'll find more of them featured in this PDF.
Hogwarts Christmas Stocking Completed
Posted 2019 Sep 27
My very first project when I finally got the embroidery machine back up and running was to complete the Hogwarts stocking I began back in February. I was waiting for baby Lily to arrive.
The stocking, as you'll recall, is color-blocked in the Hogwarts house colors, with an appliqued H-crest in the center where the four blocks meet. This not only looks nice, but also disguises any less-than-perfect alignment of the four colors.
The appliqued crest is black felt. I used gold metallic thread to stitch the H and to finish off the edge, just to add a bit of shimmer to the main adornment on this stocking.
To add the name to the top, I selected a Harry Potter-inspired font, and used the same gold metallic thread. Because the name is so brief, the band looked a bit bare, so to fill it out a little better, I augmented at either end with a Potteresque lightning motif. I like the effect and will probably keep it for future Hogwarts stockings.
I like to add the year to the toe of my Christmas stocking creations, but as I don't like it to be too obtrusive I usually stitch it in the same color as the background.That way it's visible but not dominant.
I generally also add an appropriate small motif alongside the date, and the little lightning bolt again seemed perfect.
The completed stocking has a plain back made from the same black fabric as the top band, and has a generous hanging loop.
The toe of this design has been modified to be less prominent; I did this to create better balance among the four color blocks.
The stocking is fully lined, as all my stocking creations are; this not only finishes the inside nicely, but also helps to protect the back of the embroidery from abrasions when items are inserted and removed.
It's fun to imagine Lily drawing gifts from this stocking for many Christmases into the future, and I want it to last as long as she does.
The completed stocking is approximately 18" from top to toe -- large enough to contain lots of loot, but not so big that it's a challenge to fill it. I'm pretty sure that plenty of Potterabilia will pass through this sock over the years to come.
If you're interested in the H-Crest applique design, you can see it in the Magical collection here. Just scroll down the page to find it.
You'll find an upper case Magic font for free download on this page.
Vintage Christmas Stockings Recreated
Posted 2019 Sep 20
As a surprise for Hubby, I recreated his childhood Christmas stocking, and those of his siblings, which hadn't been seen by any of them for more than 40 years. I had loads of fun replicating all four originals, which were lovingly made by their mom so long ago.
Click this link to find a PDF that tells the story.
Wool & Walnut Shell Pincushions
Posted 2019 Jul 12
Lately I've been making my own simple pincushions out of wool filled with ground walnut shells. I've made several and now have one at every sewing machine, and I love them! The wool wicks away moisture to help retard rusting, the natural lanolin helps lubricate the pins, and the ground walnut shells -- commonly used for sandblasting -- keep the pins sharp. They are the best pincushions I've ever had: not fancy, but really functional.
You can read more about this project in this PDF.
If you'd like to make some of these for yourself, you can find the pattern free at this link .
You can also download the PDF instructions if you decide you need them.
No More Cap Button Irritation
Posted 2019 Jul 05
The rivet that attaches a button to the top of a baseball cap leaves a metal protrusion on the inside of the cap that can cause irritation to a tender scalp. But I figured out a way to pad the uncomfortable metal point -- and it barely shows on the outside of the cap!
Click here to see a PDF showing how I did it.
A Trekkie Stocking for John
Posted 2019 Jun 28
I'm a bit of a Christmas nut, and I just love making gift and decor projects, especially Christmas stockings, for my favorite holiday. Every year since I can remember, I've made at least one Christmas stocking, and I often make more than one.
A few years back, when my sister wanted to gift her friend John with a special Christmas memento, she asked me to make him a special stocking. We decided on this Trek theme because John's a huge fan of both the original series and the subsequent generations and iterations.
As it happens, John's also a medical professional, so his stocking is blue, the color worn by Star Fleet science/medical officers in the first series.
The arrow-head badge is the science/medical variation introduced in the second series, and I digitized the name with a Trek-style font.
I chose a shiny satiny fabric for the black cuff, and added three metal buttons along the left side as an accent. I was originally going to place the name on the top band, but I decided it would look better on the toe, leaving the band clean and uncluttered.
The arrowhead and the name were stitched using metallic gold thread for added sheen, and the stocking is lined with a gold-toned Christmas fabric.
Reusable Nylon Grocery Bags
Posted 2019 Jun 21
I love reusable shopping bags, and have made a variety of totes and cloth bags over the past few years. But tote bags can be bulky and cumbersome to carry, and it's easy to forget to bring them into the store with you.
This nifty nylon version tucks into its own integrated pouch, so it's easy to carry in a purse or pocket. I recently grabbed some ripstop nylon from the thrift store, and spent a couple of days sewing these bags.
They're roomier than the plastic kind, and they're also stronger, so they'll last for a long time. Plus, they're washable, colorful, and eco-friendly.
My version is fairly large -- I cut the fabric to 19" x 45", then used a plastic store bag as a guide for cutting the handles. I finished the edges using the serger, and stitched the bottom closed on the sewing machine.
The image below is just a guide; it's not exactly to scale, but it will give you an idea of the general shape.
To make the integrated pouch, I cut two pieces of fabric, one approximately 4x4" and the other approximately 4x6" wide. I serged all around the edges, then hemmed one edge of each piece. I folded a tuck flap in the larger piece and seamed the two pieces together along the sides. Then I lined up the bottom of the pouch with the side seam approximately at the position of the notches, and stitched it to the inside of the bag, where it's out of the way when the bag is in use.
To fold up the bag into the pouch, fold it in three lengthwise, then roll up the bag body to a size that will fit the pouch, then flip the pouch over to contain the folded bag. Hubby has declared these a hit -- he took several when he picked up groceries the other day and was very impressed with how much they hold and how strong they are, so it will be easy to convince him to take them along on future trips to the store.
In-the-Hoop Rag Doll
Posted 2019 Jun 7-14
My friend recently informed me that as a kid she loved Raggedy Ann, so I decided to add a mini doll to her Ornament-of-the-Month collection.
Because the doll is intended to be a tree ornament, she's quite small; I added the thread spool to the photo to give a sense of scale.
I had already digitized the appropriate doll face, so I decided to see if I could stitch the entire doll body on the embroidery machine. She was stitched in the 4" embroidery hoop.
I used three hoopings to make her -- one for body and face, one for arms, and a third for the legs. I added rosy cheeks using a crayon, and plan to paint on the black boots with acrylic paint. Then I'll add yarn hair and dress her in a tiny Christmas print.
I'm planning to make a larger version for my friend's baby granddaughter, also stitched on the embroidery machine. Stay tuned for that one to appear in a later project update.
I thought I'd post an update about the little Raggedy Ann, since I have added hair and have clothed her since last week. She's looking pretty fine now.
I made her hair using nubbly yarn and something called a "Singercraft Guide" which allows you to wind yarn and stitch along it to make a looped trim. Then I hand-sewed the resulting trim to her head, framing her face and filling in the back.
I made a bibbed apron for her, but realize now on having looked at a vintage doll that the apron is actually a simpler construction than this one, so I may change the apron style if I make a subsequent doll. The red trim was stitched on my Model 500 Rocketeer, using cam #6.
I'm not sure you can make out the tiny print on the dress, but it's Christmas holly, in keeping with her status as a tree ornament.
She stands about 7 and 1/2" tall and will be able to perch on my friend's Christmas tree as a nostalgic ornament.
My friend is always intrigued to hear what I've been making in the craft room, and I sometimes bring a show and tell when we get together. On our last visit, forgetting for a second that the doll is intended for her, Hubby announced that I had made this mini Raggedy Ann. She expressed surprise that I hadn't brought the doll along for her to see, but fortunately she didn't see the look on my face when he made the remark, and I don't believe she suspected anything. I'm positive she'll be thrilled when I do present it to her as one of her ornament collection.
More Christmas Gift Bags
Posted 2019 May 31
I've been giving some of my vintage sewing machines a workout with a few small projects just to keep them tuned up and sewing smoothly.
These new Christmas gift bags are the result. They began as a way of using up small oddments of leftover fabric, but they've turned into a more elaborate production now that I know how popular they are.
DH uses them for nearly all his wrapping, and my sisters like them, so I wrap some of their gifts in them too. I make them in all sizes, depending on the fabric pieces I have on hand.
I've added embroidery to all these latest bags, and must say I love the way the designs sew out on white flannelette.
On some, the embroidered panel is incorporated into the structure of bag, while on others I used a raw-edged applique technique to add the embroidered segment as a patch.
I like to place the panel/patch fairly low on the body of the bag so it's still visible when the drawstring is pulled tight. The decorative stitching around the edge of each patch was made with one of the following machines: Singer 411G, Singer 500, Singer 631G, or Kenmore 158.1802. I've used decorative ribbon on a few of the bags as well, and stitched it on with invisible (nylon) thread in my Singer 201.
When my friend saw the finished bags, she asked me to make a selection for her as well, and several of her family and friends have asked to receive their gifts in the bags.
FSL (Lace) Cartoon Cat Snowflake
Posted 2019 May 24
This project combines four of my favorite things: a digitizing challenge, a freestanding lace project, a Christmas ornament, AND Looney Tunes! What could be better?
We're big Looney Tunes fans at our house, and in the past few years we've amassed quite a lot of LT-themed Christmas ornaments. And though store-bought ornaments are beautiful and we have several, we also like to have a good proportion of handmades on our tree. I make new ornaments each year, and at last count I'd estimate that at least half of our Looney Tunes ornament collection was created in my craft room.
I love the delicate look of freestanding lace, and a lace snowflake seems an almost perfect Christmas tree ornament!
I started with an illustration of Sylvester, making sure that it was exactly symmetrical. Then I repeated the image to make it six-sided, and worked from there to digitize the snowflake.
This kind of lace is stitched on water-soluble stabilizer, and begins with a dense underlay that forms a foundation to hold the stitches together. When digitizing it, you have to ensure that the design stitches are fully integrated so that the finished lace will hold together when you dissolve away the stabilizer.
To give the ornament a bit of body, you can leave in just enough stabilizer to stiffen it, or if you prefer, you could use a sugar solution such as old-time crocheters used on their doilies.
Here you can see the ornament on my Looney Tunes tree, along with a mix of purchased and other handmade ornaments.
Vintage-Style Souvenir Doll
Posted 2019 May 17
As a toddler visiting Scotland with her mum, Gwen was gifted with three small souvenir dolls similar to those shown at right. Although these were tourist items and not really intended as toys, the little dolls were colorful and detailed, and fascinating to a young child.
For reasons no one has ever discovered, she called them her "B'ys", and she loved them. Not having been built for play, they of course didn't survive for long, but it was memories of those first early souvenirs that inspired her as an adult to collect some of these vintage cuties, almost all of them dressed, like the originals, in Royal Stewart, the official tartan of Scotland.
It just didn't seem right not to have a doll costumed in her family tartan, so I decided to create one using a scrap I happened to have on hand.
In keeping with the scale of the rest of the collection, I chose a vintage 8" tall 'dress-me' doll, and clothed her in a dancer's garb of white shirt with lace jabot, black bodice, and tartan tam and skirt, complete with brass kilt pin. I like her so well that I may yet add some more, clad in provincial tartans.
Zippy Gets a New Suit
Posted 2019 May 10
These stuffed monkeys with the vinyl hands and faces were very popular toys when I was a little kid, so I was delighted to find this little Zippy in the local thrift store for only a couple of dollars.
He was in pretty rough shape and rather dirty, so I knew when I rescued him that I'd need to remake him completely.
See how I did it -- and the finished result -- in this PDF.
Personalized Felt Dog Paw Ornament
Posted 2019 May 03
My friend's beloved little dog is now 16 years old, but he's still a light of her life, so I've included a few in her Ornament of the Month collection to celebrate the bond they share.
To make the paw ornament, I chose felt in two shades of tan/brown, the main colors in Kirby's coat, and stitched the ornament on two layers of tear-away stabilizer (this one isn't stuffed). I went with white for the heart and gold for the name stitch-out, although on reflection I kind of wondered if I should have chosen a shade of pink for the heart, just to brighten the color a bit.
When I'd finished, I wasn't quite happy with the brown look, so I decided to add some sparkle. I chose peach sequins to outline the heart, and used a toothpick to add a tiny bit of gold glitter glue to the letters. The back is plain tan felt, but I added the date on it before I made up the ornament. This one stitches out fairly quickly and is a great memento for a dog or cat lover.
Snowman Piper Felt Ornament
Posted 2019 Apr 12
After completing the kilted Gingerbread Piper ornament shown further down the page, it occurred to me that a Snowman would also work well, so I digitized one of those too. Like his Gingery pal, he's made out of felt appliqued with a small-sett tartan print, with the same sporran and bagpipes theme. And as with Ginger, you can change the look of each Snowman by varying the tartan.
If you'd like to add one of these ornaments to your collection, find the design by scrolling down the page at this link.
For complete instructions and more photos, click here to view the PDF.
Hogwarts Banner
Posted 2019 Apr 05
Machine's up and running again, and I was able to finish up the project I was working on!
One of my sister's friends is crazy about all things Hogwarts, so he'll be plenty pleased when he finds this door banner under the tree next Christmas!
The finished banner is about 8" wide and roughly 18" long. I made the color-blocked body in much the same manner that I used for the Hogwarts stocking below -- stitching the red/green segment and the yellow/blue segments, pressing them flat, and then stitching the two together. I pressed all seams flat and then appliqued crest in the center using gold metallic thread. I used the applique "H" Crest in 3" size (find it on the Magic page here).
I cut a black topper about 4" deep and embroidered the name before sewing it to the top of the color-blocked section. I then trimmed the bottom into a point before finishing it off with loops at top to take the hanger, plus a gold tassel and black backing fabric. Once I had turned it right side out and pressed it flat, I topstitched all around the edge using invisible nylon thread.
The font I used for the name is called Boere Tudor. I originally planned to use the Magic Font that I digitized for the site, but I found that, for this project, I didn't actually like it as well as the Tudor one. See what you think:
Junque Jewellery Conundrum
Posted 2019 Mar 29
My machine tech is busier than ever now that he's retired, and I'm still waiting for him to arrive and rescue my embroidery machine from its woes, so I'm afraid it's another non-embroidery project for this week.
If you've got a keen eye, you've probably already spotted the raw material underlying this cool brooch: it's made from jigsaw pieces.
I'm not much of a puzzle enthusiast, but I am fond of costume jewellery, and a puzzle collector I know happily provided the raw material from a few puzzles that were missing pieces.
Click here to see what else I made.
"German Bell" Folded Paper Ornament
Posted 2019 Mar 22
While I was working on a project two days ago, my embroidery machine sprouted a "main motor lock" error that recurs despite my tinkering, so it's time for a visit from the local tech.
While I wait for him to come, I've been playing with some other projects, including this very pretty German bell ornament. These can be made fairly simply with any printed card stock.
To see several other samples of ones I've made, click here for a PDF.
Since posting this orignal, I've added a more detailed post in September 2023, which includes detailed instructions for making these beautiful ornaments.
Gingerbread Piper Felt Ornaments
Posted 2019 Mar 15
After coming across an actual gingerbread cookie decked out in a paper kilt, I decided to create a felt ornament in the same vein. Scottish iconography is a big deal where I come from, and I know my sibs will love these.
I used a small-sett tartan (plaid) print for the applique segment; varying the tartan gives each one quite a different look.
Since digitizing mine, I've found at least five different Scottish-themed Ginger ornaments on line. I like this version, though, because even with the kilt they still have that simple "gingerbready" look that makes them perfect as Christmas decorations.
If you'd like to make one of these ornaments, find the design by scrolling down the page at this link.
For complete instructions and more photos, click here to view the PDF.
Sewing Machine Cabinet to Light Table Conversion
Posted 2019 Mar 08
I repurposed this old sewing machine cabinet into a functional and attractive light table as a gift for a photographer friend.
To see the steps in this fun project, click here to access the PDF.
Sewing Decal Ornaments
Posted 2019 Mar 01
I made these embroidered ornaments for myself, to hang on the little Christmas tree that stands in the window of my third-floor sewing loft each Christmas.
I knew as soon as I finished digitizing this Fancy Red Eye decal design that it would make a spectacular ornament. And, of course, it would equally look amazing stitched on a tote bag or a sewing machine cover, or any sewing room decor.
The ornament at right, like the rest of the embroidered ornaments on this page, was made following these directions. It's stitched in 4" size on black felt, using metallic gold thread for sparkle. It's going to look great on my little white sewing room tree.
This second Singer ornament was made somewhat differently, using decorative stitches from my model 500 Rocketeer. To begin, I embroidered just the "S" from the Singer Word design on yellow felt. I trimmed the felt into an oval, then appliqued that to white felt with a bead stitch (setting BM on the Rocketeer or 401). To applique the white felt to black felt, I used a scallop stitch (setting JL), and finally finished off the black border with a chevron pattern (cam #21) in gold colored thread.
I glued the finished patch to a second (plain) piece of black felt, sandwiching a piece of cardboard between, and stitched around the edge with black thread. To finish off , I hand-sewed a border of red fused beads around the edge of the ornament.
Spilling Stocking Ornament
Posted 2019 Feb 22
I saw a similar idea on Pinterest and wondered if I could create my own version on the embroidery machine. The design took a little fiddling, but after several adjustments I'm quite pleased with the outcome.
Click here for a PDF showing details.
Hogwarts Christmas Stocking
Posted 2019 Feb 13
I don't usually post images of half-finished projects, but I've been working on this stocking for a new baby who won't be arriving til July. At that time, I'll add the name in gold lettering along the black band at the top, and finish out the stocking with a plain back and lining.
The front was constructed of a blocked panel in the four colors of the Hogwarts houses. The stocking is shaped with an understated toe in order to better balance the color blocks.
I assembled the sock by stitching red and green together, then yellow and blue together. After pressing both seams open, I sewed the red-green segment to the yellow-blue segment and pressed the resulting seam open.
I embroidered the "H" crest applique design in the center of the color blocks, using black felt and gold metallic thread, and I'm really pleased with how it looks. (Find the applique crest design here). I then stitched the black band along the top, on which I will eventually embroider the baby's name.
Once I had completed the color-blocked front, I used that as a template to cut the plain back of the stocking from black fabric. Once I'm able to embroider the name, I'll complete the stocking and post updated photos. And then I might just have to make one for my own Christmas decor!
"Retrobritening" Yellowed Plastic
I love to tinker with my collection of vintage sewing machines, which includes a few 70s models with plastic housings and cases.
Unfortunately these can turn an ugly dingy yellow over time, especially when exposed to UV light. But there is a simple remedy that will return yellowed plastic to its former brightness, as you can see in the before/after photo at left.
Check out this PDF to learn how I "retrobritened" my 70s machines.
More Embroidered Ornaments
Posted 2019 Feb 1
I recall with fondness those vintage Looney Tunes movie shorts that aired in a cartoon show on lazy Sunday afternoons when I was a kid. This beloved memory is one I share with DH and several of our friends, and these two-sided embroidered ornaments are a fun bit of nostalgia for Christmas. Click here for PDF instructions on how to make embroidered ornaments from almost any embroidery design. They make great stocking stuffers or ornament-exchange gifts, or add them to your own tree.
Teddy with Embroidable Tummy
Posted 2019 Jan 18
Crystal loves her little green bear with the logo of her favorite football team embroidered on his tummy. He's an easy make even for a novice, and takes about 3 hours from start to finish.
The PDF has more pictures and greater detail.
