Pandora's Sewing Room

10/28/2022

I know it’s been close to a year since you’ve seen a new post, but “nothing to see here” about the pants and dress hemmed, sleeves shortened, new zippers put in. I choose not to post pictures of the wedding gowns, but I just finished a precious little keepsake made from the bride’s mother’s wedding gown, a ring bearer’s pillow. Front and back are the gown bodice - the front has been embellished with three buttons from the back of the gown and a few extra pearls. The back unbuttons completely to reveal a place to note -well, whatever the bride and groom care to note. (Yes, it could be used as the “something borrowed” at other weddings, with those other names and dates)

01/08/2022

Recent keepsakes made from Mom's nightgowns and Dad's Navy uniform. The bears I made from the nightgowns are smaller than those previously posted, as my client had only scraps of the nightgowns after several quilts had already been made for her and her siblings. From the Navy uniform, special totes were made for the client and her daughter, and wristlets for the client's sisters. The totes and wristlets included specific details from the Navy uniform (the button front and back lacing of the pants, special distinctive seaming from the shirt, the seaman's name found stamped inside the pant legs), as well as a hat and legging.

02/15/2021

I've had several inquiries lately if I do sewing machine repairs. (No, I sew.) My repair person is Finchers Sew and Vac, which I just learned has moved from Savannah to Brunswick, GA, and is now called Coastal Sewing (912-349-1961). He's very reasonable and has a quick turnaround time. Moyes Sewing Center, formerly on DeRenne in Savannah, is now at 1370 US -80 Unit D, in Pooler, GA (912-354-0000). In Walterboro is Wiggins Sewing Center, 424 Sniders Highway, 843-538-2739. After trying to find someone for two years after moving here, I know how frustrating the search is!

01/12/2021

Remembrance Bears, keepsakes for loved ones, from the clothing of a young man whose life ended too soon.

09/23/2020

Another Bear for a special someone to hug! Made from a uniform shirt - I tried to incorporate as many details of the shirt (patches, pockets, epaulets, even the satiny lining of the back yoke, for the inside of the ears) as possible.

07/13/2020

A recent project was another first: creating a christening gown from the mother's wedding gown. After agreeing on the design and taking baby's measurements, I took possession of the big pink bag containing the wedding gown. As with most jobs that entail altering a wedding gown, removing lace and beadwork is the first step. Then the most dreaded part of all: the first cut with the scissors. I never imagined a dress for a baby would use so much fabric from the wedding gown, but there wasn't much left to give back! I rarely have jobs that allow me to design and create as I wish, but I consider it quite a compliment that the mom commented how "reminiscent" the christening gown was, of her wedding gown. And the beautiful baby was definitely the star of the show on her big day!

06/15/2020

For some reason right now, I'm unable to read messages in Pandora's inbox. If you've sent a message and I haven't responded, I WILL get back to you. You may also contact me (Margaret Emery) via Messenger. Thanks for your patience.

01/23/2020

According to the definition of "real" in the book, "The Velveteen Rabbit,", the teddy bear (first picture) that recently came to me was as real as he could be - his face and much of his fabric had been loved off, and bits of threadbare fabric covered what was left of his stuffing. I was given grandma's apron and the request to use as much of the original teddy as I could in recreating the childhood lovey. I was able to salvage enough for the inside of the ears, underside of the arms and bottoms of the feet (second picture). As I stuffed him, I recalled reading that all stuffed animals need a heart - and although the Build A Bear process includes a Heart ceremony, my recollection definitely predates Build A Bear. So he has a small heart (third picture), wrapped in the bits and remnants of the original bear, in his chest. I washed and updated his romper with a denim belt and a bit of the shorts used to make the tie. He's now back home with his family!

11/08/2019

Hoo Boy! This job was a long road for my client! She found cornice boxes for FREE at a yard sale; they needed to be adapted to fit her windows.(NO, I didn't build or adapt these boxes - she found a handy person to do that. They wouldn't have fit into my little Kia Soul anyhow). She had found the fabric locally, but I directed her to Fabric.com for her to get the 7 or 8 yards needed at a better price. (and Fabric.com offers free shipping when you purchase 6 yards or more).This week the boxes were ready and we spent a couple days gluing and stapling things together. Her handy person installed them today, and they really dress up her living room and dining area.

06/08/2019

The pillows that came to me were tired, worn, oatmeal colored, not at all right for a coastal patio. This bright tropical fabric came from Michael’s online store (yes, THAT Michael’s, the craft store -I couldn’t believe it either!). The hardest part were those “cover-to-match buttons, which are supposed to snap together with “possibly” a thread spool for a little extra push. Yeah, right. Try thread spool, hammer, screwdriver and pliers... But the customer was delighted!

05/21/2019

04/27/2019

These are two recent projects, fabric-covered valances. The floral one is 75 inches wide and 16 inches top to bottom. I was given a photo of valance in a model home to work from. Clients provided decorative and lining fabrics; I supplied lumber and other incidental materials.
The striped valance is part of a set of four which was installed over a sliding door. Again, I worked from a photo of a model home valance, with no other information than what the client wanted. These were my first-ever attempt at fabric-covered valances.