I hope you all had a great weekend regardless of any “yucky” weather that may have come your way.  Our weekend weather, here in northern Illinois, was grey both days, but only half wet.  (The Sunday morning sunshine disappeared quickly.)

When I look out my sewing studio window on this brand new day and work week, I see endless blue sky, which I am very grateful for.

Last week I started a new ensemble for Gracie.  While looking through my laces I found this tatting lace.  Even though it’s gorgeous, and I wanted to use it, I wasn’t sure how to apply it.  This fabric, though, is too PERFECT for it; the little circles on the lace mimic the faint honeycomb design on the background of the fabric.  Even the color is perfect.  I took some time to think about it, made a little sample, and found if I applied it by hand it would work out.  Sometimes the sewing machine needs to be put aside.

I applied the lace to the underside of the skirt.  I found that the lace “fit” in the space right under the  hemline’s seam allowance.  I used a very fine (#11 straw) needle and matching thread.  I found that putting a tiny vertical stitch through the base of each circle kept the lace in place the best.  I made sure to end with a full circle, so I could stitch the first and last ones together.  It didn’t take long at all, but I definitely needed my reading glasses for this task.

Here’s a closeup of the underside after hand sewing.  My thumb looks gigantic!  This is very tiny lace.

By sewing the lace to the underside, it looks as if it’s peeking out from the hemline when seen from the right side.  I am very happy with the result.  Isn’t it the perfect fit for this print?

My brown-eyed Little Darling beauty, Alice, (painted by Nelly Valentino) wants to wish you the loveliest of weeks.  I took this photo of her last week while she was loving on her poodle.  I soon put Alice to work, however.  She is now wearing a brand new ensemble that she is modeling for me.  I will share those photos with you in a day or two.

I want to wish you a lovely week as well, my friends.  Thank you so much for stopping by today. ❤