Category Archives: Sewing

“A Toasty Warm Autumn” for the Little Darlings

This new 8-piece ensemble called “A Toasty Warm Autumn” will keep every Little Darling who lives in a cooler climate cozy and warm throughout the fall months. The hand knitwear (sweater, hat, scarf) are all made with Peruvian Highland wool. The sweater is a bit longer length and the hat has cute ear flaps for those chilly brisk days. I found that when I keep my neck warm I stay warm so I made a generous scarf to wrap around the Little Darlings neck to help her stay warm too.

Even though it is fall, if you look closely enough you might still be able to find a few blossoms blooming. Gina made a small bouquet with the blossoms she found. A pretty blue silk bow is attached to the bouquet along with an elastic cord to help the Little Darlings hold it in their cute little hands.

The fine wale cotton corduroy dress can be dressed up with jewelry and a hair bow.

Most of the fullness in this drop waisted dress is towards the back and sides which give a bustled look to the back of the skirt.

The squirrels here in northern Illinois have been so busy collecting acorns that it got me thinking that I had better get busy with some cool weather wear. What do you think? Will it be another cold fall/winter?

For more information on this set please visit my website.

Also, look for a new price on ” Orange You Ready for Fall? ” for the Little Darlings.

Orange You Ready for Fall?

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My Little Darling, Gina, sure is. Here she is modeling her new one-of-a-kind fall dress and sweater set. I’ve had this wool/angora yarn for a few months and finally got to use it for this fall ensemble. The sweater is so soft and warm I wish I could wear it. Vertical lace panels decorate the sleeves, front edges, and the back; bronze Czech glass beads button up this cozy sweater. The dress is a pumpkin color cotton print with lots of wonderful colors used for the flowers and dots. The dress features a lacy panel on the bodice and a frilly tulle ruffle at the hemline. The dress is entirely lined in white cotton lawn with all of the seams hidden between the lining and fabric; the lining is also invisibly hand stitched.

I think this set is perfect for picking out the perfect pumpkin in the pumpkin patch, don’t you?

For more information on Gina’s one-of-a-kind fall ensemble please visit my website.

Fall?…No… It’s Still Summer!

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Fall is right around the corner…!? No, say it isn’t so! I think it was just the Fourth of July yesterday. (thinking about it…) Oh no… that was almost two months ago. Yikes. Where did our summer go?

I do like fall, I really do. Here in Illinois autumn is usually still feeling warm and usually sunny. So, no complaints with fall (autumn). It’s the season that tries to slide in unnoticed right after fall, (and sometimes even before fall has finished up it’s time in the spotlight) now that’s the one that I don’t particularly like and that’s saying it nicely. Anyway… (I’m not even going to think about that bully of a season right now.)

I’ve been creating some things for fall, but not too fall”ish”. Don’t want to dive right in when I can get by with simply dipping my big toe in, right? And, I’m not quite ready to let glorious summertime go.

First up, is a new ensemble for our favorite Effner Little Darlings. It is colorful yet with a muted palette goes beautifully this time of year. Gina’s floral print cotton dress is reminiscent of the 1970’s with it’s folksy feel and the 1980’s with those large cabbage roses. The muted shades of rose, blue, yellow, green, and white are on a ground of chocolate brown. See, a fall palette can be quite colorful. The lace cardigan is hand knit out of fine baby alpaca/silk in a rosy pink tonal colorway. Tiny Delica seed beads knitted into the sweater add sparkle amongst the lace panels. Pink glass pearls button up the sweater, if desired. Gina’s cap is a slightly slouchy style with a hand made tassel. Both the sweater and cap are hand embroidered, with rosebuds on the sweater and a rose on the cap. This fall”ish” ensemble is finished off with rosy hued pastel cotton knit tights, a bracelet with a cloisonne bead and metal heart charm, and a white cotton lacy sash that ties in the back.

Another lace panel is on the center back of sweet Gina’s cardigan.

Next, is a dress/hat set for little Amelia Thimble and Izzy which I call “Tiny Bit for Fall”. Aster colored colonial knot clusters, warm pink bullion rosebuds, and straight stitched fall grass decorate this hand knit oat colored mohair/silk set. The tiniest pink satin ribbon bows are sewn onto the dress and hat for some extra “pink”.