*photo from an older Inspirations magazine
Ah, the Martha Pullen Traveling School was a joy. One of the first productions of its kind, the opportunity was a must do. Vacation time was used, money saved, and travel plans secured. Up at 4 am, I drove a little over one hour each of the four days, in serious rush hour traffic to a place I didn't know, and there was NO GPS to assist. That is just how important this was to me. It was a time before my boys had even considered marriage and family but I was going to be prepared. French Hand Sewing by Machine was a rather new concept discussed in every issue of Martha's magazine. Those of us who subscribed were not likely to travel to Alabama unless this style of sewing was going to morph into a business.
Enter the "Pearl Bonnet and slippers." I have kept all these pieces in special acid free paper in archive boxes for about 35 years. They have never been worn. Until now.
These darling little slippers will be on sweet little feet.
The bonnet is constructed in a flat layer with the insertion panel sewn in and lace added then. A small string casing is made at the long end of the flat piece of fabric and a silk/satin ribbon is inserted to gather the piece to fit the wee one's head.
I made the ribbon into a floret bow and added the pearls so the little one will be properly dressed for her Christening.
Constructed of fine cotton batiste, French insertion, French cotton lace, and with ribbon with a satin finish, a sweet little set I think, the mother agreed!
Martha Pullen, HERE. About Martha, information from 2022, I'm not sure she is still teaching. Her magazine Sew Beautiful was sold to Hoffman Publishing and is no longer in print. I have most of them from the original publishing, we had an online website where there were discussions and help forums. Some of the patterns from the original publications are sold on auction sites and online HERE if you are curious.
I still have some fabric and lace purchased at the "store" that accompanied each event, sponsored by a local Viking Sewing Machine retailer. I may have enough for another Christening gown. Mmmmm.
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