Birds of a Feather
I confess - I'm smitten with tiny cross stitch. And in case you'd like to join the flock (of fellow addicted stitchers) here's a "Hattie Approved" pattern for your own miniature sampler.
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How it’s Done . . . and Why
When I do insanely complicated things I have to answer two questions. First of all, why? What's my reason for the extra effort the project will take? In the case of Hattie's...
The Deep Satisfaction of Radical Neatness
I may have mentioned previously how influential my mother was when I first learned to sew. She was the perfect combination of patience and uncompromising perfectionism. She explained carefully, without rushing. She...
When the Hardest Part of Sewing Isn’t the Sewing
I have to confess to an embarrassing weakness. I do my best to hide it. I have my private "accommodations". But sewing for such a tiny doll has tested the limits of...
In the Beginning . . .
Hattie has been with me for about a year, and even though sewing time has been sparse, it's safe to say we've made the most of it. I began with "whites" which...
No Wagons Here!
The fashion plate above represents clothing worn by children in 1857. It falls right in the middle of the years when firms like Kister, Kestner, Hertwig and others were exporting thousands of...
The History of Samplers
It's easy to fall down rabbit holes while researching new projects. But if you share my nostalgic love of cross stitched samplers and are curious about their history, there's a great series...
Introducing Hattie
Hattie is a tiny 8" wonder of fine painting and determined survival. Against all odds, here she is, with her original body, china arms, and delicate flat-booted feet all intact. She has...
The Euphoria (NOT) of Pleats
It probably won't surprise anyone to hear that a sciency person like myself ADORES the predictability and specificity of pleats. They're parallel and geometric! They're neat and controlled! And they're easy enough...
Bittersweet Musings
In the course of collecting antique fabrics and trims, I sometimes buy something I love - only to discover later that it's not as useful as I'd hoped. The color doesn't flatter...