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When fabric sales call, we are sure to answer. In January, we were fortunate enough to take a short road trip to Nashville and enjoy the day with Veronica of SewVery, as well as eat lunch with Carrie of Right Sides Facing.
Textile Fabrics was having their twice a year sale where all their fabric is marked down 40% {1 yard minimums}. Generally speaking, Textile Fabrics can be a bit on the pricey side of things, but the sale always helps the pricing considerably. They have an excellent selection of apparel fabrics, knits and a clearance room in addition to loads of quilting cottons. It is always a lot of fun just to see their selection and is always difficult to decide!
While Textile Fabrics was the original intent of our trip, we were given a BIG BONUS the night before when we saw on IG that the Children’s Corner ladies would be open on Saturday because Gail Doane was in town teaching a class. THRILLED does not even begin to describe how ecstatic we were. You see, the Children’s Corner Store primary focus is children. Our primary focus is children. Imagine lots of small prints in lawns and corduroys and a few knits as well as their heirloom fabric selection. While we enjoy visiting Textile Fabrics, these fabrics are not their focus.
We really don’t know where to begin with our adventure at The Children’s Corner Store, but in the end LOUD comes to mind with bit of party crashing mixed in for good measure. And we still giggle just thinking about it. There we stood talking to the Children’s Corner Store owners, Emily and Karen, when all of a sudden we spy Jane getting her lunch. Who is Jane you ask? Oh, we met her in Orlando at the SAGA conference. She took about 10+ pictures of us and Teresa {and had us laughing until we cried}.
She also is the Region I Rep for Smocking Arts Guild of America. Oh, and she’s from Boston. Seriously, what are the random chances our paths would cross again and in Nashville no less? So here were these women having this fancy, peaceful, formal heirloom sewing class when loud talking and fits of laughter fill the store.
Then, we turned around twice and there we were meeting Gail Doane. Poor Gail Doane…she didn’t know what she’d been hit with. Who in the world were these random people that she ‘had’ to meet? Unfortunately, we have never taken a class from Gail, but almost without fail at the SAGA conference, people would tell us they would plan their schedule around being able to take a class from her. She’s just that good. And her creations speak volumes. Yes, we got to see her creations. I mean, we literally got the tour. Following is a picture of the class project.
Yes, those are tons of tiny, perfect tucks on the tulip sleeves. Swoon. We also got to see this lovely number which she also offers a class on. Everything was absolutely INCREDIBLE.
We should have been focusing on another ‘blast from the past’, but we were just having too much fun! You see, we’ve had this gorgeous pattern by Trudy Horne {Collars, etc.} in our stash that we have been dying to give a go! Well, although I’ve never taken a class from Gail Doane, I {Ashley} have been fortunate enough to take one of Trudy’s classes when I worked part time at Handmades {our local children’s heirloom sewing store}. Looking back, I know that at the time I didn’t realize how fortunate I was! She was truly a delight.
Once we took a breather from our socializing, Emily quickly spotted THE perfect fabric for this princess seamed pattern. She showed it to me, and I agreed. Quickly. For those of you who have ever had to shop with us, this never happens. Ask Veronica. We are sloooooow. Then, came the kicker. It was L.I.B.E.R.T.Y. No wonder we fell in love at first sight. By then it was too late, we’d been bitten by the bug. Buy or die. And we are glad we did.
Since we have begun sewing, we’ve learned that pattern designers are your friends. If you’ve got a question, don’t hesitate to ask. I can’t think of a single incident where a designer didn’t get back with us or at least someone from their team. However, what if you jump a generation? What if you need to contact Trudy about sizing? So, we Facebook messaged her, and she touched base with us quickly. We believe that this generation of seamstresses has so much to offer, and that they are more than willing to do so…IF only you will ask. Reach out to them. Sit at their ‘virtual’ feet and listen.
The pattern we used is for a Princess Dress / Coat and has 6 views {short sleeves, long sleeves, coat dresses}. There are so many options! The pattern comes in sizes 3/4, 5/6 and 7/8. After consulting with Trudy, we opted to sew the size 3T and lengthened the hem and the sleeves. Sewing the smallest size was pretty exciting thinking about how many years EA will be able to wear this pattern if we purchase the larger sizes! Not to mention, I was educated on Hong Kong finishes while completing this project.
While late 60s fashion has us hook, line and sinker, this style embodies the classic little girl’s dress with princess seams. Several months ago, we blogged over at oliver + s about our favorite o+s pattern. We’re sure you can see the similarities – a classic peter pan collar with buttons down the back. It’s the same as the Children’s Corner, Carol…another favorite. Trudy’s version mixes it up a bit with the princess seams which were absolutely screaming for piping to accentuate them! In our books, the classics will always have a place in our hearts.
A little more on Trudy Horne and her company Collars, etc. before we leave. If you have any interest in embroidery, be sure to follow her on Facebook. She is always posting her ‘lovelies’ there. Also, she is now on Craftsy where she has a WONDERFUL tutorial on fagoting. Please don’t let this technique scare you. It is one of THE most relaxing forms of sewing we have put to use in recent years, not to mention it looks extremely elegant. She also has a smocking plate for the side-button bishop which was featured on the cover of Creative Needle in 1998. This bishop may very well be our all time favorite! What’s not to love? Side button opening, gorgeous peach coloring and bullions galore! Now, if we can only swing a little bit of time between now and Easter. . .{hint, hint}. . .we’ve got all of the supplies.
Back to the Children’s Corner Store, did we get anything else? Yes, we did but we were running short on time so it was only one thing . . .fulfilling an early morning request by EA. We simply asked her what color dress she’d like for us to make {“knowing” she’d answer pink, and we already had one in the works :)}. We were DEAD wrong. Yellow was her answer, to which sister momma whispered to us “I don’t think that’s really her color. . .be creative”. 10-4. With the help of our friends, we honed into this beauty with gorgeous YELLOW flowers. She LOVED it! Success.
If you are still reading, bless you. Between our LOVE of liberty, our LOVE of princess seams, our LOVE of our Nashville friends, our LOVE of Trudy {and Collars etc}, our LOVE of the Children’s Corner Store, our LOVE of Gail Doane and our LOVE of being surprised by long lost sewing friends there was just a whole lot of LOVE going on in this lengthy post!
As for EA’s “LOVE”???? We couldn’t resist…
If you get “the snarl”, you are IN!!!
Beautiful dress on a pretty girl!!! I know you had to have had the best time at Children’s Corner! I hope to make it there one day – it’s on my bucket list!
Well, when you do….let us know! We’ll meet you there!
Oh what a lovely coat! And what a fun day…so sad I missed it!
I know!! We miss you!!!! Maybe you’ll travel our way again soon…
Oh how lovely and classic! You’re right, that one won’t go out of style in all the years you’ll be able to sew it for your nieces. Love that little collar too!
That is a sweet dress! I love the princess seams and the collar.
One of mine does ‘the snarl’ when she is very excited too. =)
The “snarl” is priceless!! And, we think, “SUCCESS” when we see it :).
What a great story! It sounds like a fabulous day filled with great surprises.:)
The coat is AMAZING! It’s so beautiful and the Liberty fabric is perfect for it.
We’ve been “bit” by the “Liberty Bug”, and may have to secure a 2nd job to afford our habit!!
I’m so glad we were able to crash the class at The Children’s Corner on our shopping trip, and I am in LOVE too with that fabric and the dress! It is perfect! Let’s do it again soon!
Of course!!! Nashville is such an easy trip for us….