What I Really Do

Some of you might think that I am a quilter.

Some might think that I am a dress maker.

Some might think that I just sew simple things for the girlies.

But the truth is that I am an heirloom seamstress.

I think I have been trying to hide this fact.

In the world of sewing/craft bloggers, simple seems to be best.

What I do is more complicated.

It take hours of practice and patience.

It is not really something that you can teach in a bloggy format.

I think that I wanted to be part of the bloggy world that can show you some simple techniques, and make you think that you are awesome. It is important, and that is why there are so many of them out there. You know the ones that say, get you child's favorite store bought pants, trace them on some fabric, cut them out, and sew it together, look at that you are sewing. I think it is great to make mother's think that they can contribute and make something for their family. I figure the more woman who start sewing the better. Everything has it's purpose and I could go down that route in order to get followers, but that is not me. 

I have been sewing since I was twelve, I worked in three different sewing factories, I know how to do it, and I do it well. I guess for me I feel like I would be dumbing down to follow that path. I am no longer going to be hiding my light you could say. Hiding what makes me different, just because there are not a lot of sewing people like me.

I don't want you to think that I think I am better, that is not what I am saying. I liken sewing to construction, there are plumbers, electricians, carpenters, tilers, all of them are talented and all can make a house. They are all different and have their own awesome skills. When asked what they do they would say I am in construction. That is like the sewing world, there are quilters, those who can sew a slipcover, those who can sew jeans, the super awesome who can do alterations (a skill I refuse to learn) and then those who can do what I do.  When asked I am sure we would all say I am a seamstress. If I offended anyone I am sorry, truly not my intent. 

Moving on.

Last month while as I was getting ready for Easter and Hawaii, I was asked by Grandma Kath if I could bring down a baptism jumper down for her little friend that was getting baptized that next weekend. I had made one for her big sister and Kath wanted her to have her own.

So with four days to spare I whipped this out.

In the Mormon faith children are baptized when they are eight years old.

It is a full immersion baptism, the church provides jumpers.

They are not cute. 

I am all about the cute.

On Facebook one day I asked if you could describe me in one world what would it be.

My sister answered with "Sentimental"

This comes out in the things that I sew.

I'll so you.

I hand embroidered this CTR crest.

It is shadow embroidery. 

CTR stands for Choose The Right.

The children in the Church are given rings with this crest on them 

as reminder's to choose the right after they are baptized.

I chose this lace because I thought it looked like Temple windows.

I pieced the lace together to make this fancy band.

All the lace that has the little windows is separate lace from the big windows. 

I always try to put in three hem tucks to represent the God Head.

A reminder that after today when all seems lost the Lord will always be there for you.

On the sleeves I put these pin tucks.

Each one represents a member of her family, her parents and her and her siblings.

As a reminder that her family will be there, with their arms around her through out her life.

Lastly a bow in the back made of sheer fabric.

Not only because little girls should always have a bow in the back, 

but also to represent Temple clothes. 

Baptism is the first covenant to God, and going through the Temple the second.

The bow Is suppose to be that reminder. 

So there you go that is really what I do, and what I love to do.

I am making Lillian's baptism clothes as we speak.

She gets to get baptized in 2 1/2 weeks.

I will be showing you that for sure, no more hiding for me.

I hope you have a fabulous week, I am going to be busy hand embroidering until my fingers give out.