Monique's Originals

08/31/2026

08/31/2026

Latest Monique’s Originals: this one is based on an inspiration image given to me by my dear friend Charmaine Denise Getler. I used Simplicity 9454 as a base pattern to fashion the tiers and sleeves and modified the bodice to add the ruffled lace (thank you Moon Mistic) along the shoulders and down the front and back of the bodice. The entire dress is made with embroidered white eyelet and the bottom tier has a marvelous embroidered edge (also from Mistic).
This dress is heavily appliquéd using pieces from Opal Annie and Kimberly Sherrod. The center front of the bodice is from Backhoff Bryant Kramer taken from a framed crewel design.
I also used some adorable embroidered animal portraits to add to the whimsy of this dress. I got them from Susan Guthrie!

The bias binding for the neckline was the not right color so I used fabric markers to match it with the trim on the bodice. Pretty happy with the finished dress! This one will have to keep until the weather cools down!

08/18/2026

Latest Monique’s Originals: I was able to find more of the Alexander Henry Fabrics Pink Sprites of Tillibrook Vintage 2008 OOP Border piece to add to the single yard I bought from Jennifer Merritt Hazelgrove to make the top layer of the Tina Givens Mariah Dress. I used green silk brocade with as the accent piece for the hemlines and binding for the neckline and armholes. Thank goodness for my serger which tightly finished the raveling edges - I had silk strands EVERYWHERE!
I love the wonderful contrasting fabric I used for the underskirt as the colors are perfect for the upper skirt.
Next time I make this dress I will remember that the gathering of the upper skirt doesn’t really work as stated in the instructions. I did a lot of picking out seams to correct this.
Overall, I love the finished garment and hope to wear it soon!

08/13/2026

Latest Monique’s Originals: another Matchy Matchy Sewing Club Horizon Day Dress made with many of my favorite batik fabrics, special trims, glorious embroidered dupioni silk, and saturated cotton prints. I also used two whimsical panels for the front and back center pieces. I added fun appliqués to the front and back of the bodice too.
I love using my prized supplies and it’s my goal to use my all time favorites at this point in my life.

07/27/2026

Latest Monique’s Originals: Matchy Matchy Sewing Club Schoolhouse Dress pattern using wonderful BLUE rooster curtains for the side panels (thank you Susan Guthrie) and center panels using vintage Daisy Kingdom Amy’s Fruit print. So nice to make a simple garment and loving the perfect matched colorway.
I added deep red piping in the main seams and bright yellow bias binding (Charmaine Denise Getler I used this from our shopping spree at Mylee’s Fabric Store!) for the armhole and shoulder ties.
I didn’t remove the green yarn trim on the curtain hemlines so I added yellow crochet trim for the remaining hem.
I also added a pocket because it’s absolutely necessary!

07/23/2026

Latest Monique’s Originals: This is the second Kindred Spirits Patched From Scratch Jumper with Sewing as the theme and collaged with appliqués from various fabrics. I wanted to practice Free Motion sewing and painfully stitched through my middle finger of my left hand, bleeding everywhere and needing a trip to Urgent Care. Tetanus shot and glue stitches later….
In the 54 years of sewing, I have never done this before and I think once is enough! 😣
I enjoyed using floral appliqués from Moon Mistic, plaid fabric for the bodice from Pamela Landis, brown bias binding with cute crochet edging from Linda Ware Marshall, and a few appliqué images from Kimberly Sherrod.
This was a fun project and one I’ll wear when the weather gets cooler!