This gallery contains 6 photos.
My upholstery and slipcover work is growing beyond just Pottery Barn slip covers and local work so I want to dedicate the blog site to display and description of more home decor items. So, in the next few weeks and months … Continue reading
I offer sewing classes in Beacon New York.
The six week session is designed to teach you how to read and understand pattern layout and directions and how to put it all together. We will cover setting sleeves and collars, setting a zipper, waist bands, pockets, easing, top stitching and making fitting it to your particular shape and size.
Children’s clothing, lap quilts and bridal wear are all popular subjects of my classes. Spring brides – think of a group class with two or three brides maids and make the dresses! Wonderful memories are made as well as dresses you will love.
Registration is $175 for 6 weeks – discounts for groups making bridal wear.
Well, here is the man himself, General George Washington…This uniform was the standard uniform for all major generals during the American Revolution. The individual regiments had their own colors, but the blue and buff was the color of the big guys! This is a sample of Rev War uniforms that I make – with an eye to historical accuracy and attention to detail. This complete uniform includes the Regimental Coat, Waist Coat, Undershirt and Breeches and I make them for the various reenactment groups – the ones you will see listed with Smoke and Fire and beyond.
for inquiry or to order call: 845 549-3323 – Mary Ann
An update on a classic – mother/daughter dresses for today!
Remember the classic matching Mother/Daughter dresses from the 50s and 60s? 
I remember the matching pink pleated dresses my mother and I wore – it made me feel very grown up and special – my hair even got curled for the event!! We went to church and to Grandma’s house and celebrated Easter in these dresses. The Aunts and cousins all made a fuss about how lovely we looked and looking back it was quite a boost to my 5 year old self image.
I am offer sewing classes in the Hudson Valley and this Mother/Daughter Dress project is one of my favorite classes. Attend with or without your daughter …. girls ages 9 and up can come and learn to sew with mom (what a terrific memory) or surprise your little one when you bring home the matching dresses for the two of you to wear to a special occasion. Learning to sew is a life skill and a fun hobby. Begin or renew your sewing adventure by making matching dresses for mother and daughter – (or maybe Grandmother and Granddaughter). It would be a wonderful surprise for any little girl when she sees that mom’s dress looks just like hers – (make sure Dad shows due pride and admiration in his girls).
The matching dresses were around in the 70s too with the Little House on the Prairie and Holly Hobby styles – just wonderful!!
Some traditions are built to last – I think this is one of them….
The class meets one day a week for 6 weeks. Beacon is conveniently located along the Hudson River (Hudson Line on the Metro North) and within easy reach of most Putnam/Dutchess/Orange/Rockland County Residents.
The clean lines of the original Pottery Barn Lullaby Rocker Slip Cover presents a cool, crisp heavy weight twill finish (and their washable!) ….or you can dress up the nursery, make over the baby’s room for an older child or take it to the living room with a dramatic or elegant textile. Make your Lullaby Rocker Sing with Style. e-mail: needleartsguildhhv@gmail.com
Jelly Bean – Bubblegum Rocker cover and pillows….
Slip Covers made to order – tailored to your specifications. The solid construction and classic lines of this Pottery Barn Rocker make it a keeper. Just update the slipcover to give it a whole new look and life. Many fabrics available – all upholstery grades/weight – both washable and dry cleanable.
To discuss your custom slip cover needs for all your Pottery Barn furniture….
call or e-mail: 845 549-3323
needleartsguildhhv@gmail.com
Register for Sewing Classes now
Mondays and Thursdays
morning and afternoon class times
6 week classes – you will learn how to read and understand a pattern and put it all together. If you’ve ever wanted to learn to sew – now is the time! Its fun, its practical and it’s a skill that lasts a lifetime. – Spaces are limited to ensure one-on-one instruction. – classes meet for 2 hours, one day a week for 6 weeks – fee $150
Call Mary Ann 845 549-3323 http://nacientneedle.wordpress.com
This gallery contains 10 photos.
Spring will be here before we know it. If you are planning a Spring Wedding or will be in a Spring wedding – even just going to a Spring Wedding…now is the time to start thinking about dresses. You and … Continue reading
The Needle Arts Guild is committed to teaching and preserving the art of sewing for future generations – I am truly invested in this endeavor and I make it a point to meet new students prior to the start of class to help them pick out their fabrics, determine their correct body type, measure them to determine correct size and explain this initial step. I strive to make this not only a learning experience, but also to conveying the fun and excitement of this unique craft.
This is a lovely fine linen/silk wedding dress from the 1920s. It is just one of the styles I reproduce. It is very fragile but the Fishkill Historical Society has allowed bring this treasure home to study and make a pattern. It was donated to the FHS by the Post family along with many wonderful dresses that were handed down through the generations. This dress can be reproduced for weddings —-wonderfully traditional for those who love the vintage/Victorian look. Fine Irish linen with pin tuck and ruffle detail work. French seams, imported lace trim and satin ribbon made to your exact measurements.
The DAR in Beacon (the Melzingah Chapter) has many wonderful dresses in their collection at the Madame Brett Homestead and they will have some of them on display later in April. If you come to Beacon for any of the Centennial events – the first of which will begin on April 6th at the Howland Cultural Center in Beacon – please stop at the Homestead for a tour and see some of the beauties they will have out on exhibit for a limited time. I am busy making dresses for local historical society members who want to be the best dressed at all the Centennial activities we will be having over the next several months.
If you would like to purchase a turn of the century dress I would be happy to make you one. Just call me for a brochure of various styles and colors. 845 549-3323
Sewing my way through history…Mary Ann
Lady Crawford’s Mourning Dress – available at: http://www.historicproportions.weebly.com or by calling 845 549-3323
This Mourning Dress was worn in the 2012 production of The Americans Home-Sweet-Home, filmed at the David Crawford House in Newburgh, NY.
This is a faithfully reproduced 1830 period dress which can be made in sizes 4 – 18 and also comes in dusty blue and tan to be worn as a typical day dress of the period. You can order this dress by calling me at 845 549-3323 – 4 to 6 weeks for delivery.
Custom slip covers for your Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrll, Lee Industries (and many other manufacturers) furniture are a wonderful way to totally change the look of your space. Light and Airy fabrics from Scalamandre create a sophistication and style for Spring that will upgrades your furniture to a whole new level. Tired furniture can be revived for a lot less than buying new furniture….give it a try.
to place an order/request samples and price quotes just e-mail me: needleartsguildhhv@gmail.com
The Needle Arts Guild has launched a new web site (http://www.historicproportions.weebly.com) to provide a source for Civil War and Revolutionary War Apparel. I make and sell carefully studied and selected patterns of the period to provide authentic reproductions – custom made to your measurements. But I’d like to offer some insight into the history of Civil War Quilts…because I am delving into the world of historical reproduction quilting….so here is a little note on quilts of the Civil War -
civil-war-fashion
In the 1850′s, as the issue of slavery became increasingly volatile, Southerners were both angry and afraid of the Northern abolitionists threats. They felt that they had every right to their opinion and the right to secede. Women could not vote but they certainly had an opinion. Both Northern and Southern women demonstrated their fierce loyalty and support in the only ways they could and Quilts played a big part in that by displaying to the world how they felt. Their quilts were banners – their voice to the world. Elizabeth Moffitt Lyle’s “The Constitution and the Union – Forever” Quilt is in the Smoky Hill Museum in Salina, Kansas.
Southern women made quilts with “Secession” embroidered on them or depicted a pelican triumphant over an eagle. The quilts were carried into battle by their sons and husband and hung on clothes lines at home to show support of their side.
Tomorrow I will discuss how quilts played a part in the underground railroad and as my blog progresses I hope to share some patterns and video demonstrations of how to make your own Civil War Quilt – which will come in handy for all the reenactment events you go to – or to give as a gift to your favorite Civil War History buff.
Sew On!
Mary Ann
needleartsguildhhv@gmail.com
Lee Industries makes wonderful sofas and love seats, but I understand (from the many customers I speak to) that it is impossible to get a new slip cover that is custom-made for these pieces. I make them and you can see fabric samples and get quotes by e-mailing me here at the Needle Arts Guild of Historic Hudson Valley’s workshop:
needleartsguildhhv@gmail.com
Need custom slip covers with matching or perfectly coordinated lined drapes/valence? I make them! It’s a great way to pull together a completely new look and feel for your room at a fraction of the cost of new furniture.
845 549-3323
