Back in the studio doing what I love the most - cutting and pleating bishop dresses! #bishopdresses #classicsewing #handsmocking #bluegirlsdress #Readpleater
Labor Day Sale on Etsy! Great time to buy hemstitched blankets and cotton masks! #babyblankets #readytocrochetedging #brushedcotton #heirloomblanket #masksfor2020
Children’s masks size 3-7. #masks4all @ Columbia, South Carolina
This group of ladies’ masks I made for teachers! A fun quality mask! #masksforteachers. #kindergardenteacher @ Columbia, South Carolina
These are ladies’ masks. All quality cotton and handmade by me! Three ply, adjustable elastic and nose wire. Also, can be reversible! Very comfortable!
So happy my garden is doing so great in this heat! Maidenhair fern love my shade! #gardenlove #gardenlife #2020garden #hydrangeacolor #butterflyweed #lovezinnias @ Columbia, South Carolina
I didn’t use all of my Jerusalem artichokes last winter to make artichoke relish so I planted them. I will have a bumper crop this year! #jerusalemartichoke #relish #artichokerelish #greatoncollards #gardening #vegetablegardening
Gardening friends - do you know what this is in my garden? I do but it is rare to see. #lovemygarden #newseeds #seedstoplant @ Columbia, South Carolina
New- men’s masks with adjustable elastic! All cotton with non woven liner and nose wire! The best! $31.00 includes shipping. Other fabrics on post. #masks #mensmasks #covidmasks
Some of my new masks going on Etsy. Last four are for men! With adjustable elastic and ladies’ are reversible. #newmasks #covidmasks #masksforsale #sewingskillscomeinhandy @ Columbia, South Carolina
Beautiful summer blooms! The rose came from Dale Chihuly to my daughter! Love the color! #summerblooms #lovemygarden @ Columbia, South Carolina
This is a sampling of some of my masks!
Please check out my new masks on Etsy - KarenJohnsonStudio. All cotton (mostly organic from Monaluna fabrics) with 3 layers and nose wire. #masks4all #quarantinelife #lovetosew #creativefun @ Columbia, South Carolina
Right now, save 20% on facemasks, baby blankets, and fabric in my Etsy shop! Please help support small businesses like mine. See the shop link in my bio. #shopsmallbusinesses #columbiasc #columbiascsmallbusiness #sewingtime #sewingproject #facemasksforsale #facemaskfashion #facemaskselfie #facemaskorganic #fabricshoppingonline #babyblankets #crochetblankets #hemstitch #hemstitching
St Martin’s I the Fields has been having outdoor devices under the big tent! Come and join us - all are welcome! #episcopalchurch #alltogethernow #wearamask #thankstoourclergy
Hemstitching some blankets to go on Etsy. I love this little duck (or maybe chick)! #sew365project ##lovetocreate #crochetersofinstagram
Just about the last day to sit and knit in front of our tree. So relaxing! #sew365project #lovetoknit
Finishing up some cute children’s flannel pillow cases. Up to put on my Etsy shop. #sew365project
First day of the IG challenge to sew something EVERY day! Finishing these masks so I can have another Backyard Sale! #sew365project
This is an unfinished (maybe years ago)daygown I thought should be finished! Hope I can find the neckband! #sew365project #smockingeveryday #babyblue #babyclothes #eyelet
I never get weary of making these precious sleeves! ##sew365project #theclassicsewist #heirloomsewingforgirls
Another day of adding fabric to the studio! #Sevenberrylove #sew365project #cottonfabrics #robertkaufmanfabrics #smocking #theclassicsewist
#yearofcolour2020 from my Facebook page
No sewing today! Time to put up new fabrics for sale in the studio! #sew365project #cottonfabrics #monaluna #fabricfinders #spechlervogelfabrics
Today working on American Girl nightgowns to match! Note my super messy studio. #sew365project #sewistsofinstagram #bluecheckbrushedcotton
Somewhere from the depths appears this dress started 40+ years ago! Time to finish it if I can find the parts and pieces! #sew365project. #oldprojects #smocking #boatsmocking #sewingforchildren
Working on some sleeves! #sew365project #smockedsleeves #heirloomsewing #sewingforgirls
Working in my yard today so little sewing! The first bloom on one of my camellias. #sew365project #camellias #gardenlife
One of my hemstitched and crocheted edge blankets with a sweet embroidered name! What a wonderful baby present! #sew365project #hemstitch #crochetlove
Designing Christening gowns today! Ready to sew: a grandmother, an aunt and one of my students making her 4th and 5th gown. I may make one too! #sew365project #heirloomsewing #christeninggown
My grandson wants another baseball mask - just starting today. #sew365project #masks4all #seersucker #baseballlife
The easiest way to match up a check or plaid seam - glue stick! I am not doing a French seam but works just as well - and washes out! I will serge this seam! #sew365project #sewingtricks #sewingshortcuts #flannelgown
Creating more sleeves for angel wing bishop dresses. Posting the progress from roll and whip, finger press and final ironing. Showing wrong side too! #sew365project #angelsleeves #englishcotton #heirloomsewing
The second and third pictures show this gown after I soaked it in Vintage Textile Soak (which I use all the time). Now I’m ready to begin the stitching repair! #sew365project #gownrepair #Vintagetextilesoak
Just a little hint on making masks. Top stitching the center seam on the mask and the lining makes a huge difference in the fit! #sew365project #maskssavelives ##topstitching #seersucker #baseballs
Love this combination of eyelet and Ellen McCarn’s smocking design! #sew365project #smocking #ellenmccarn #smockedcollar
This old Christening dress needs some loving repair! I am honored to be able to do that for my friend. The lacework and stitches are beautiful! #sew365project #Christeninggown #Christeninggownrepair #antiqueclothing
Today was a work in the yard day so no sewing, but this is one my favorite summer dresses. I will add dresses to Etsy soon! #sew365project #smockeddress #redcherries
No sewing today so I thought I would post a picture of a Christening gown my class worked on in 2018/2019. #sew365project #Christeninggowns #heirloomsewing #laces #Swisseyelet #handembroidery
One of my favorite angel wing bishops coming to my Etsy shop. #sew365project #smockeddress #smockingforgirls #blueprint
My sewing today was putting the tatting on this cute American Girl doll nightgown! Also making blue ones! #sew365project #smocking #tatting #flannelnightgown #dollclothes
Another project that needs finishing! I still have the fabric and the handkerchiefs to make this. A new hashtag - #myunfinishedgarments. Please post yours! #sew365project
This is the antique salesmen’s sample book of Swiss motifs. I bought it in Paris at street sidewalk market. It is a one of my treasures - and the trip with my friends was just as wonderful! These are only a few pages of the book. I’ll post some more another day. #sew365project #antiqueSwiss #samplebook #Swisseyelet #embroideredmotifs
I could not get my iPad to open the picture I wanted for today so just another picture of one of my hemstitched blankets! #sew365project #hemstitch
I find that eyelet with entredeaux attached makes angel sleeves flip up a little cuter! If you use plain eyelet, you can always add the entredeaux to the plain side. #sew365project #sewing #eyelet #sewingideas #sleeves
I attach the sleeves in my angel wing bishops with a 1/4” seam and then finish off with a serged seam. Most of these bishops have no side seams! #sew365project #bishopdress. #smockeddress #angelwingbishop #serger
This is the antique Christening gown I am restoring. The first picture is a section of lace that is really damaged. The second picture is from the back. I have used a piece of silk organza to anchor the lace to the little bit of fabric left. The small stitches are taken in the lace motifs that remain. #sew365project #heirloomrepairs #silkorganza
Today was fun - I helped a student plan fancy panels for her Christening gown. A mixture of antique and new laces! #sew365project #christeningdress #lace #lovetosew #bestjobintheworld
Playing around with some gorgeous lace, Swiss eyelet and silk ribbon combinations! #sew365project #silkribbons #vintagelace #swissembroidery #heirloom
Today I have been making sample swatches of the Hemstitched blankets that I sell on Etsy. I am getting ready to offer more brushed cottons as well as seersucker and flannel. If you want a sample pack, please send me a message at kejohnson@earthlink.net (United States only. #sew365project #hemstitch #babyblankets #flannelblanket #seersucker #brushedcotton
Finishing the pleating. Yea, got to center and still straight; got to end and still straight! You can see how I tie off and mark the center in a valley of the pleats. I have been pleating since the 70’s so I don’t roll the dress on a dowel any more and don’t use a blocking board (we didn’t have such things back then!). Now ready to sell! #sew365project #howtopleat #smockeddress #smockedbishop
My pictures of the gown didn’t turn out so my friend sent me some! I forgot to mention the picture of the back of the gown. Families did not have multiple gowns so the neck and waist were drawn up to fit. We think this gown was made 1900-1020. #sew365project #christeninggown #repairbeautifulgowns #heirloom #handembroidery
Time to iron the antique dress I have been restoring! This process takes over an hour! Please note all the featherstitch on this gown. The iron I use is a Rowenta that has a water reservoir that I only fill twice a week and NO leaking! #sew365project #Christeninggown
A little tutorial on my hemstitcher - her name is Sally, after a great aunt who crocheted the edges on flannel by poking her hook through the fabric! This machine just makes holes in the fabric to make crocheting easier. I have owned Sally for about 40 years but she only started sewing well about 20+ years ago. That is when I had both bobbin cases replaced - note there are 2 needles and 2 bobbin cases. I have a picture of the top and the underside of the machine. Sally is probably about 100 years old! The last picture shows what she does - just make beautiful holes in fabric. #sew365project #hemstitch #antiquemachine #amachinenamedSally
Not really something I sewed today but if you haven’t tried wool dryer balls, you will be happy when you do. I keep about 3 in my dryer and put drops of lavender on them. Laundry is fluffy and smells fabulous! #dryerballs #wooldryerballs #lavenderessentialoil #laundry
Just a little monogramming today!!
#sew365project #monogramsheets. #monogram
This is both colors of the fabric I posted yesterday. Some people want to order. Send me your email in a DM so I can send details. And thanks!
One of my customers brought in a dress that had elastic button loops that had stretched out (#1). The second picture shows how the back of a bishop should look when buttoned. The buttons keep the top edge pulled down so the smocking looks continuous, but you need the snaps in the last picture to help hold the dress together. This will keep the loops from pulling out. Of course you can make loops by hand too! #sew365project #bishopdress
New Fabric Finders print! It has a wonderful hand and the colors are very clear! They also have this print in a beautiful pink! #sew365project #fabricfinders #cotton #cotton print. #blueprint #bishopdress #cutandpleatedbishop
In the near future, you’ll see a lot of plant pictures as I spend time with my other passion, gardening! These are my happy and beautiful Daphne today! The scent is fabulous! These are planted on the west side of my house and they love it! #gardening #lovetogarden #daphne #springisnearlyhere
Finishing up some dresses to photograph on Tuesday (it will be sunny) to post on my Etsy shop! #sew365days #bishopdress #icecreamcones #michaelmiller
I wasn’t going to post this today but it is the only way to show you how I put sewer’s aid on thread. I am not drunk, just trying to make a one handed video ! 🤣 #sew365project #sewer’said. #thread
Those of us who have been teaching sewing for many years always have their favorite notion. I have to say this is mine! Thanks to Sheryl at Accent Sewing at Murrell’s Inlet, SC, she introduced me to it to help with my machine embroidery. That was many years ago and and now I use it on EVERY spool of thread I have! I think it makes a huge difference in my stitches but also lubricants my machines while sewing! Try it! #sew365project #sewingadvice #sewing #sewingnotions #sewingmachines
Today is cold and rainy so I stayed in the house and ‘went through stuff’. Anyone who knows me know how much I love buttons! Maybe this is one reason - my grandmother’s button box! I think it was an ice cream container (from an ice cream store) covered with wallpaper and a braided fabric strap. This was one of my favorite things at her house and still remember some of these buttons. I think most of them were cut off garments and saved to be used again - this would have been right after the depression. What a wonderful memory for me! #sew365project #oldbuttons #buttonbox #savedbuttons #shirtbuttons #darning
Today I spent some talented students make sleeves for their Christening gowns! All are beautiful! #sew365project #heirloomsleeves #lovetosew #heirloom #christeninggown
Some of the lace I have been soaking is finished! A comparison of the lace pre-soak and the lace I rinsed today. I have used Textile Vintage Soak for at least 12 years. It is safe! Never any problems! I order it from the manufacturer - you can order it from me. $15.00 includes shipping. Send me a dm to order. #oldlace #soak #vintagetextilesoak
Just a quick post for this smocked dress for a first birthday. Someone just ordered it for her 7 week old first grandchild! Love her enthusiasm! #sew365 #firstbirthday #smockedbishopdress #birthdaycake
When someone gives you her grandmother’s collection of lace, you have multiple bowls soaking. I loved that she said her grandmother bought it in St. Louis and brought it back to SC. It is an unbelievably beautiful group of laces. I always check for dry rot and only 2 or 3 pieces. I guess when you’ve been in this business for as long as I have, you are gifted with treasured heirlooms to take care of - I am so thankful to do so! I would love to make a Christening gown with some of this. First, a pillow for the previous owner! #sew365project #Frenchlace #lace #heirloom #whatatreasure #soblessed💕
In the near future, you’ll see a lot of plant pictures as I spend time with my other passion, gardening! These are my happy and beautiful Daphne today! The scent is fabulous! These are planted on the west side of my house and they love it! #gardening #lovetogarden #daphne #springisnearlyhere
Finishing up some dresses to photograph on Tuesday (it will be sunny) to post on my Etsy shop! #sew365days #bishopdress #icecreamcones #michaelmiller
I wasn’t going to post this today but it is the only way to show you how I put sewer’s aid on thread. I am not drunk, just trying to make a one handed video ! 🤣 #sew365project #sewer’said. #thread
A great edition to your garden is a flowering quince! Blooms before most other bushes and will cut beautifully for in the house! #winterflower #quince #flowersinthehouse #garden #pink/peachflower #lovethecolor
Christening gown skirts are on the menu for today! Love these tucks and laces! #sew365 #pintucks #heirloomgown #frenchlaces #christeninggown #sewingislife #lovetosew
I love these 2 fabrics that are such clear colors and brightfully happy! I think smocked in just one color would highlight the print. #sew365days #smocking #bishopdresses #sewingforgirls #summerdresses #hawaiinprint #happyfabric #lovemyjob #joy
Most of the lace I have soaked this week is in the sun drying! Many different shades of ivory and ecru. The last lace pictured has always been a favorite of mine but rarely for sale online! I have this much more to soak! #sew365days #vintagelace #Vintagetextilesoak #Frenchlaces #cleaninglaces #heirloom
Some of the lace I have been soaking is finished! A comparison of the lace pre-soak and the lace I rinsed today. I have used Textile Vintage Soak for at least 12 years. It is safe! Never any problems! I order it from the manufacturer - you can order it from me. $15.00 includes shipping. Send me a dm to order. #oldlace #soak #vintagetextilesoak
Just a quick post for this smocked dress for a first birthday. Someone just ordered it for her 7 week old first grandchild! Love her enthusiasm! #sew365 #firstbirthday #smockedbishopdress #birthdaycake
Last March I totally pruned you the wood this very old camellia. It has come back beautifully and has one double bloom! My camellias are very large and I prune one every year. They love their home and I love them! #camellia #pruning #pinkflowers #shadebed #camelliaflower
I am making samples to use in my classes and I want to share. Some people struggle with gathering threads. I hope this tutorial will help. Commercial patterns that used 5/8” seams had you do gathering threads at 3/8” and 5/8” (pictures 1 +2). Twenty years ago, started putting gathering threads at 1/8”, 3/8” + 5/8” (picture 3) and then gathered up (picture 4). It gathers up beautifully. The gathers aren’t put in nilly Willy but purposely at these measurements. More tomorrow! #sewing #sewinghelp #gathering #lovetoteach
Time to start crocheting the edge on my cotton seersucker blankets. Also have white. I don’t have them on Etsy but you can order them here. Just send me what color and your email! #hemstitch #seersucker #babyblanket #summerblanket #crochet
A great edition to your garden is a flowering quince! Blooms before most other bushes and will cut beautifully for in the house! #winterflower #quince #flowersinthehouse #garden #pink/peachflower #lovethecolor
Christening gown skirts are on the menu for today! Love these tucks and laces! #sew365 #pintucks #heirloomgown #frenchlaces #christeninggown #sewingislife #lovetosew
I love these 2 fabrics that are such clear colors and brightfully happy! I think smocked in just one color would highlight the print. #sew365days #smocking #bishopdresses #sewingforgirls #summerdresses #hawaiinprint #happyfabric #lovemyjob #joy
Before the big storm tomorrow, I thought I would show you what is blooming in my back yard! There are so many more plants ready to explode! #gardening #gardenlife #camellia #gerberadaisy #lentenrose #iris #lovetogarden #godscreation
A short post on gathering! These are the feet that I use on my Berninas. The 13 foot was a staple until they discontinued. The 52 foot is a good replacement although it is very expensive- because it is coated with Teflon. These feet are great to use for the first gathering thread at 1/8” from raw edge. The #8 foot is called a jeans foot but is great for putting in gathering threads. Why? There is metal all around the hole the needle goes through and I think this adds stability to the stitching . It is also great for sewing jeans!
No way to sew today with this happening in my back yard! Afterwards the walkways looked great! #gardening #cleaning #thankful #powerwashing
Last March I totally pruned you the wood this very old camellia. It has come back beautifully and has one double bloom! My camellias are very large and I prune one every year. They love their home and I love them! #camellia #pruning #pinkflowers #shadebed #camelliaflower
I am making samples to use in my classes and I want to share. Some people struggle with gathering threads. I hope this tutorial will help. Commercial patterns that used 5/8” seams had you do gathering threads at 3/8” and 5/8” (pictures 1 +2). Twenty years ago, started putting gathering threads at 1/8”, 3/8” + 5/8” (picture 3) and then gathered up (picture 4). It gathers up beautifully. The gathers aren’t put in nilly Willy but purposely at these measurements. More tomorrow! #sewing #sewinghelp #gathering #lovetoteach
Time to start crocheting the edge on my cotton seersucker blankets. Also have white. I don’t have them on Etsy but you can order them here. Just send me what color and your email! #hemstitch #seersucker #babyblanket #summerblanket #crochet
When I first bought my hemstitcher 40 some years ago, I went on the hunt for good double napped flannel. Wow, have I bought flannel! I have had great flannel but not perfect colors. Then, out of the blue, I found a company that has fabulous double napped flannel AND perfect colors! Do you love the baby pink, blue and turquoise? These are all for my Hemstitched blanket business on Etsy. I’ll add them next week and have some ready to ship! PS it was so beautiful outside I cut up the blankets there! #babyblankets #babyshower #babyswaddles #hemstitchedblankets #babypresents #outing #flannel
Someone asked me what this pink flower is - I posted it yesterday. It is a flowering quince and it is beautiful this year! It is always the first thing to bloom. I love to prune and this flower loves it too! The next flower is a little creeping bulb with this cute flower. I don’t know the name but if you’re local, I’ll give you some! #gardening #share #floweringquince #whiteflowers
Before the big storm tomorrow, I thought I would show you what is blooming in my back yard! There are so many more plants ready to explode! #gardening #gardenlife #camellia #gerberadaisy #lentenrose #iris #lovetogarden #godscreation
A short post on gathering! These are the feet that I use on my Berninas. The 13 foot was a staple until they discontinued. The 52 foot is a good replacement although it is very expensive- because it is coated with Teflon. These feet are great to use for the first gathering thread at 1/8” from raw edge. The #8 foot is called a jeans foot but is great for putting in gathering threads. Why? There is metal all around the hole the needle goes through and I think this adds stability to the stitching . It is also great for sewing jeans!
No way to sew today with this happening in my back yard! Afterwards the walkways looked great! #gardening #cleaning #thankful #powerwashing
Last March I totally pruned you the wood this very old camellia. It has come back beautifully and has one double bloom! My camellias are very large and I prune one every year. They love their home and I love them! #camellia #pruning #pinkflowers #shadebed #camelliaflower
