Joy and Sorrow, with Hope.

I have been asked to make a few items recently which seem to fit into the cycle of life.

A gift set to send to Australia, for a new, much longed for baby, not quite yet delivered!

The gift-giver was quite specific in what he wanted, something "Traditional" in white, but not to look as though it were for a Baptism... hence the touches of green, with elephants marching across the bib. The set is made from a very fine cotton lawn with satin weave and embroidery details, and touches of antique insertion lace, all lined in cotton lawn (apparently, it will be hot in Australia when the baby gets to be old enough to wear it!)

The next project completed was for a Polish wedding, soon to take place, but as it hasn't yet, I can't really reveal "The Dress". It's for a lovely Welsh Lassie, who's marrying a dashing Polish Gentleman! Suffice to say, it involved a lot of piecing of extremely pretty lace, and swathes of silk satin, lots of buttons and a bow!

Sneak preview! Two different laces have been invisibly joined prior to piecing the back part of the bodice. 

The back after completion!

The last item is of a more sorrowful nature. It made me reflect on how fleeting life is, and how we should all prepare for death. A widow-to-be is expecting her terminally ill husband to die soon, and wanted a special mantilla to wear at his funeral. She had a specific idea of what she wanted. As I looked at the image she had in mind, I realised I would have to cut, shape and piece together lace. It was a time-consuming project, involving a lot of hand-stitching, all around the edges of the inset pieces of lace. But I found it a very moving task to sit quietly sewing the pieces together, and pray for her and her husband and family, and contemplate my own mortality too.

The first stage of shaping the lace edging around the dotted net. It was coming out bigger than the recipient wanted, so I had to bring the edging in more.

After completion.

When I started Zelie's Roses, I had little patience for hand sewing, wanting to get things finished speedily. The more I force myself to spend time creating things by hand stitching, the more I appreciate what Zelie Martin used to do in her lace-making! I hope I'm now of a level for her to have employed me as someone who pieces the lace together, since I still don't have the patience, or skills, to actually make lace!!

I like to add all the people I sew for to my prayers; a safe delivery for the baby and mother, a joyous and Christ-filled marriage for the happy couple, and the consolations of St. Joseph and Mary to be with the dying man and his family.

Chasing away the Chilly Winter blues

 

 I'm a bit of a sucker for old fashioned sewing patterns, so when I saw a 1950s one for a baby's "papoose" type sleeping bag I snapped it up. Last Summer, I had bought some lovely quilted fabric from one of my favourite places in France - Alencon (couldn't get any lace, but there was a new fabric shop on the outskirts of town which sold stuff, the likes of which I've never seen in the UK) - and I had been wondering what to do with it.

I love the donkeys, and the Sunbursts.

Bright and cheerful for this grey time of year.

It seemed ideal fabric for the papoose, and I had a little lady (and her Mum) in mind to try it out on - one wonders whether things from yesteryear are still likely to be appealing to the Mothers of today!

And the lovely cotton pique lining fabric was from the same shop too,
I think St. Zelie may have liked this if she were sewing today!

The mother was delighted with it, as the baby had been cold in her Moses basket at night, since she always seemed to throw her covers off.  Mum has just managed to send me some lovely pictures of her sweet little one (less than a month old!) fast asleep, and looking very cosy, I must admit!

God Bless, and
Sleep tight Philomena. X

Adorable!

Hello, Please allow me to Introduce Myself...

Hello, by way of introduction, my name is Elizabeth Dulston, and I make clothes. I began this after hearing several mothers bemoaning the fact that they could not find decent, modest, well-made, plain everyday clothes for their children; to which I replied "I can make them if you let me know what you want!" So this blog is to help people communicate with me what they want me to make.

I am happy to make fairly simple, everyday pinafore dresses, but I am also able to do dresses with sleeves, blouses, skirts, etc. - as well as a range of baby clothes, (including bonnets, booties and bibs!).
I can also make "fancier" things, such as the Baptismal gown which can be seen in the header picture of this blog, and First Holy Communion dresses, examples of which are below and in the side bar; also waistcoats, and trousers for boys.

Those who know me will know why I've chosen the title Zelie's Roses. For those who don't, Zelie was an inspirational woman, who lived in the 19th Century, and always made sure her daughters were well-dressed; she also helped to boost the family income by making lace (Point d'Alencon) at home.

I have chosen her name for my modest business, making modest clothing, at, I hope, modest prices!

I have more samples below, and in the side bar, of what I can do.

For a 6 month old (also being modelled by Maria in the side bar)

and a pinafore with blouse to go underneath, for a 9 yr old

A New Summer frock for a one year old baby.

This one has been made for an 18 month old.

I have plenty of fabric in stock, (please see next post for some of the current choices) but am also happy to work with fabric you supply. If you see something that you like, or have something in mind that you would like me to do, please get in touch, and I can email pictures of the fabric I have at present, or we can discuss your requirements. My email is in the side bar, (underneath the picture of Maria being jolly!).

I send out a sizing chart to be filled in, so I can have the right measurements, and then make the garment to fit.

Prices for the everyday clothes range from about £15 for the simplest pinafore, to £25 - £35 for an older child's dress, but it will depend on the fabric chosen, and how many frills and flounces are required! I will also make clothes for adults, and am able to make modest wedding dresses too, as well as Mantillas, and Chapel veils.