Heirloom Sewing

20 years ago

Does anyone out there do heirloom sewing? Today I started taking a three-part class for a christening gown done with heirloom sewing. The only other thing I've made with this method is a linen blouse, also in a class. I'd love to hear about others' experiences with this. I had never even heard of heirloom sewing until we moved to the South.

Mary

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Comments (5)

kathi_mdgd
20 years ago
I took classes back in the 80's and made christening outfits,and sold them at consignment shops.I also took smocking classes around the same time and made little dresses for my GD,who is now 23.I havn't done any since.
Kathi
keepeminstitches
Original Author
20 years ago
Hi, Kathi,

At class today, the instructor said that the last christening gown she made for sale, went for $650, but another lady in class said they go for $800--$1200 on the internet. So far I have $130 in this one in material, Swiss lace, pattern (that we are modifying somewhat), and notions. This doesn't include the slip which I will not do in Swiss batiste, but just cotton batiste, or the bonnet.

So far I've done a 7" wide band with 7 rows of pintucks and two rows of scalloped pintucks, and joined three rows of Swiss lace (two different designs).

Two more classes to go, and I'm really enjoying it. Do you have any pics of the ones you've made? Did you enjoy heirloom sewing? I was really nervous to begin on that expensive bastiste, but now I'm finding it relaxing. I took a basic smocking class about three years ago and made a Bishop dress for step-GD that turned out really lovely. Haven't done any smocking since, tho.

Mary
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colleenny
20 years ago
I took a class in making an heirloom pillow a couple of years ago. By the time I finished buying everything including more feet for my machine I figured 1 little pillow cost me 75 dollars.
Colleen
msmeow
20 years ago
Mary, are you hand sewing or machine? I have not done any except for one 2-hour class with Martha Pullen, but I love the look. I bought one of Martha's heirloom quilt books...it's on the "someday I'll make one of these" list!

Donna
keepeminstitches
Original Author
20 years ago
Hi, Donna,

It's machine sewing, attaching lace with a tiny zig zag and a machine foot that draws the two laces together (like magic!), will use a wing needle to attach lace to the ruffle. I used a pintuck foot for the pintucks. The instructor said that the convent nuns of France used to make hand stitched heirloom lingerie...if I was doing it by hand, it would take 100 years to finish, if at all! One woman in class said she had attended a Martha Pullen seminar once, and when she totaled up everything, including travel and hotel, it was over $3,000!! But she said she absolutely loved it.

Mary