Royal Southern Baby

New Pictures, As Promised

2010-04-20T06:15:00.000-07:00

Here are some new pictures, as I promised yesterday when I posted. Sorry, but I was just to lazy to go down and import them off of my camera! Old age creeping in!

Annie Frances is 3 now and she loves dresses. Not always heirloom dresses however, as she is quite the little "buster" and we really have to watch her when she is wearing a dress with French laces and puffing, etc.! This style little dress is just right for her though for church. They go outside during Sunday School, so we don't have to worry about her ripping out a fancy band! This is copied from Kari Mecca's "Sewing with Whimsy". If you don't have this book, it is a must to get. Such adorable designs with great directions and hand embellishments. Annie Frances loves all the dresses in this book, so I am trying to make her a few of these. This design is Kari's Simple Sash Sundress. I was even able to find fabric and ribbon the same color as her sample. I did add some bullion roses around the neck for my little touch of "heirloom" however. Annie really loves this dress as you can see from her modeling"

This little capri pant and apron outfit, I made for her for picture day at her school. Hope she likes it. It is reversable and has her name and monogram on each side. I don't have a pattern to reference for this one, as I made this up from an outfit I saw on a little one at her playschool. Apron top ties on both sides and she will have to wear a little tee shirt under it. She still looks cute in this little style. Don't want her to look too grown up yet. I'll post a pic of her when I see her in it.

That's it for today. I'm still sewing and enjoying spring!

So much to do, so much to sew!!!

2010-04-19T18:41:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I had time to write on my blog. Busy with Easter orders, celebrating the holiday and I also have had a little set back with my health again. I am gradually coming back from it however. It is so agravating when I have these little episodes of Meniere's as they totally keep me from being able to do any sewing, reading or even watching tv. It totally interrupts my plans and agenda! Anyway, hubby and I have been traveling just a bit and I have been sewing when I can in the car on our trips. I use to be able to do this with no problem. Meniere's makes this somewhat difficult at times.

The lovely spring weather brings out so many ideas for designs and outfits that I am eager to get started on. My daughter has brought me several swatches of fabric and many dress and spring play clothes plans for my granddaughter. She is most anxious for me to get started on these too. I will post a couple of pictures in a day or so when I get everything together and under way.

Springtime is such a pleasant time to sew. I loved sewing on my screen porch at our house in Huntsville. Unfortunately, I don't have a screen porch here, but a nice deck, so I like to sit in the sun where I can really see well and work on my hand embroidery. I am working on lots of new designs for the Nursery Rhyme Collection. Plans to have a sew out book ready in a few days that I can send around for trunk shows. Please call if you are interested in having a show. Will be posting pictures of designs and outfits soon so please check back and let me know what you think. Happy Spring!

Grand Ole Smockers

2010-03-13T12:45:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I enjoyed meeting a lovely group of new friends and fellow sewers at the Grand Ole Smockers SAGA meeting. We met at a lovely little shop in Smyrna, TN, Stitcher's Playhouse www.stitchersplayhouse.com, for an enjoyable morning of sewing fellowship and a lovely lunch. I have tried for the past couple of months to work out my schedule to attend this monthly SAGA meeting which is on the 3rd Friday of each month, so I was excited that I finally was able to go.

The Stitcher's Playhouse hosted us and provided us our sewing project for the meeting....this cute little stuffed teddy bear baby gift.
Ann Barnett, the owner had already traced off patterns, cut the minkee and had all the supplies available for us to just sit and sew. We did a little assembly line of pinning pattern onto fabric, someone then ironed the freezer paper pattern onto the minkee, several stitched them together, and then we all cut out, stuffed and stitched up. Makes a quick, but oh so cute little baby gift. We all also traced off preemie diaper shirt patterns to make up in our spare time. Next month baby blankets will be made during the meeting. Blankets, teddy bears and baby shirts will be given to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in the near future.

The new president of the group, Sue Lavell had lovingly made little tissue holders and brought them as a little favor to all the members. So thoughtful! It was a lovely group of ladies to meet and much fun was had by all. I will look forward to joining them again each month.

Lunch was provided by the shop owner and her precious mother, "Mom" who is 85. Ann and her mother use to have a catering business so we were served a delicious Cobb salad with homemade pimento cheese and crackers. "Mom" also made a yummy chocolate dessert for us all. If you live in the Nashville area and have never visited the Stitcher's Playhouse, it is a must to go see and shop there. Has a quaint vintage charm with several rooms of beautiful heirloom fabrics, patterns, etc. but also such bright and fun fabrics for children's fun wear, tote bags, aprons etc. They have a wonderful class schedule of great sewing classes for all. Ann had just gotten in a wonderful little trunk show from Samantha Caffee, of The Handmade Dress, www.thehandmadedress.com. Such cute little retro patterns that are great for girls of all ages. I couldn't resist purchasing "Miss Mary" a little wrap dress that I will be whipping up for my Annie Frances in the next couple of weeks. We all suggested that Samantha Caffee should expand this pattern to adult sizes as we all wanted one too!

A fun day for me with a little break. Now back to my sewing room to keep on working on all my Easter orders

Easter Closeout Sale

2010-03-10T15:35:00.000-08:00

We have a few garments available right now that would be great little Easter outfits. We've marked them way down and would love to ship them to you at no charge (within continental USA). The sizes shown are the only sizes we have available in these last few designs. Call today to order one of these great little Easter specials for your little cutie.

Pink Gingham Romper with Chicks
Size 12 months
Price: $35.00

Vintage Chicks Bishop
Size 24 months
Price: $35.00

Linen Easter Bunny dress
Size 6-12 months
Price:$35.00

Linen Easter Parade Dress
Size 12-18 months
Price: $35.00

Linen Pink Ribbon Dress
Size 6-12 months
Price: $35.00

UFO'S (UnFinished Objects)

2010-03-09T15:20:00.000-08:00

Do any of you have any UFO's just waiting to be completed? I bet you do! I have many sewing, crafting, painting, decorating, you name it, projects, kits and items that have lain untouched for months and even years waiting for me to complete or even begin. Why do I do this? Sometimes I open a box or a drawer to discover something that I bought or began working on years ago and then pushed back in to be forgotten in time. It's a nice surprise to find these projects again, but then the challenge to begin the task that was postponed originally and shoved out of sight so long ago is reconnected. I am always very enthusiastic upon purchasing and starting a project, but usually some little glitch will come up upon the initial preparation that hinders me and throws me off the task. I then pack it up and shove it away someplace to only forget it for awhile.

I opened a drawer yesterday, looking for some lace for another project and there lay this package.
I picked up this little Easter pillow kit probably 10 years ago on one of my trips to the Houston Quilt Market. I haven't been to that show now in about 6 or 7 years, so that shows you how long it has lain untouched. I would always pick up a few kits, patterns, fabrics and tools while at the Market, bringing them home with the best of intentions to create something wonderful.

I love this little bunny and egg design and since Easter is fast approaching and I have been shadow working bunnies lately, I decided that this little applique project needed to be finished right away. I pulled it out and committed to finishing it today. So glad I did...I think it really turned out cute. Now, I just need to bring out all the rest of my Easter decorations.

Treasure Hunting

2010-03-08T07:19:00.000-08:00

Finally, a warm, sunny weekend in Nashville and we definitely took advantage of it on Saturday! One of darling daughter and my fav things to do is to scour flea markets, vintage clothing stores and antique stores in search of treasures. I'm always looking for vintage baby and children's clothes and linens and Erin was on the search for an antique kitchen scale. As we were getting ready to depart, you guessed it, precious baby granddaughter was begging to go too! Even at 3 years old, she loves to go shopping with Mama and Nana for a "gurls only" day out. She got all dressed up in her little peasant skirt and top I made her and had the "Fancy Nancy" purse full of all her "gurls" things in tow. So we were off...

But first, precious granddaughter is hungry! Well,this is another favorite treat for us "gurls" so we headed for a spot in Nolensville that is one of our favs. Now if you are from the South, you know that there is nothing better than good ole smoked BBQ. Erin and I are really BBQ aficionados as that is what we usually seek out when we are on our outings. Martin's BBQ Joint in Nolensville , is to just die for if you love good BBQ. Winding our way through the beautiful countryside dotted with fabulous horse farms was an enjoyable ride. As we approached our little eatery, with mouths salivating, a big sign said Martins had moved! Oh no, now to find the new one. A quick turn around and just a few blocks away, you could see the smoke rising from the big outdoor cooker and there was Martins in a brand new building. Yeah! We headed in for delicious pulled pork and brisket!

The new place is full of unique antiques and typical Nashville musical decor on all the walls and also has a stuffed deer head mounted on the wall. Annie Frances was captured by this and kept wanting to go take a look at Mr. Reindeer. The waitress asked her if she wanted to talk to him as he was a talking reindeer. Oh yes, she and Mama were on their way to have a conversation. AF quickly became shy when Mr. Reindeer began moving his head and mouth and shouting out Hello Annie Frances!Finally after much laughing and giggling, AF and the reindeer exchanged goodbyes till next time and we headed out the door for our treasure seeking.

Two local spots in Nolensville are area favorites for vintage memorabilia and antique seekers....Three French Hens and The Roost. Before going in, we had to prompt AF to "not touch" anything, "just look". Oh so hard for a 3 yr old, but she did really good. Only occasionally was she overtaken by something that she really could not resist a little touch at....her favorite was a beautiful vintage Kelly green prom dress with lots of gathered tulle and sequins. She thought it was a princess dress and really, really wanted it. Quickly distracted, she found an old pair of black patent tap shoes. Oh boy! She can't wait to take tap dancing next year. Room to room we searched for antique baby clothes and the scale that Erin was looking for. Saw so many other treasures but the quest was on. AF was disappointed that the old house the store was located in did not have a bedroom and they lacked food in the kitchen. Only some old plastic apples and bananas. She did however, love the bathroom with it's pink sink! This girl is about anything that is pink!

Finally, Erin spied the perfect old kitchen scale to put in her French country kitchen. It will be so cute with little Easter eggs on it.

I did not find any baby clothes that I could not live without, so we were on our way home. We barely got AF buckled into her carseat and she was out for the count snoozing and dreaming about Mr Reindeer. As we drove a different route back to Franklin, down Hwy 96, I caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye as we whizzed by of more "reindeer". "Stop", I yelled and told Erin to turn around. Unbelieveable, but here was a whole herd of "reindeer" by the side of the road. We took a quick look and inquired about prices. AF would like to have a small herd for the front yard next year at Christmas so we will go back.

All in all, another fun day of treasure hunting for me, Erin and precious granddaughter. I remember scouring old barns,yard sales and antique stores with my mother when my daughter was little. Now it looks like the tradition is living on with AF having a "gurls only" day out with us!

Oooh! Baby it's cold outside!

2010-02-04T09:34:00.000-08:00

It's cold and snowy, so you don't want to let your little one get caught outside without her little hat. Be sure that her little noggin is snug and warm, but oh so fashionable too! Our little vintage fashion knit caps will do just the trick. These make a great baby and shower gift for that special little newborn. The vintage cap and our Annie daygown go great together for that first special portrait.

Hippity, Hoppity, Easter's on it's way

2010-01-09T14:45:00.001-08:00

Are you already thinking about that special Easter dress or outfit for your little one? Now is the time to place your order for Easter heirloom finery. Contact us for designs ideas, sizes and pricing.

Baby, It's Cold Outside.

2010-01-09T14:21:00.000-08:00

Don't let your baby get caught in these cold temps without her stylish
cotton cashmere flannel jacket. This lined jacket with hand
embroidered flowers will keep your little one toasty warm and oh so
cute. Has a matching bonnet. Sizes newborn - 6 months Price:
$100.00

Also, now is the time to place your special orders for heirloom Easter
finery. Call today.

Happy Turkey Day!

2009-11-25T10:07:00.001-08:00

Royal Southern Baby has a holiday collection of unique sweatshirts, t-shirts, aprons and appliqued apparel for the holidays. Please check with us for specific designs. We hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving!

2009-11-04T19:42:00.000-08:00

Just in time for the holidays...Christmas is right around the corner...Are you ready?

This little one is...my children broke out the Christmas movies the day after Halloween and are already begging to set up the tree! Just wanted to help you all get into the holiday spirit along with us at RSB, so here's a little sneak peek for ya!

Keep checking back because we have lots more to show you!

Nursery Rhymes

2009-11-03T18:44:00.000-08:00

Little Boy Blue come blow your horn...

Jack and Jill went up the hill...

Hey Diddle Diddle

Please contact for sizing and pricing for these daygowns. These designs may also be made into other garments...A-Line dress, romper, bubble and little boys shortall or longall.

Halloween Cuties

2009-10-15T10:16:00.001-07:00

Halloween is just around the corner and our kiddos are so excited. Here are a couple of our latest appliqued t-shirt designs. The kids love to wear something
"Halloweeny" each day to school so they are trying to look "spooky" here.

Halle's Portrait Dress

2009-10-14T12:17:00.000-07:00

This dress was created for a little girl's 5 year oil portrait painted by Leon Loard. The smocked to the shoulder style dress is hand embellished along the bottom of the smocked yoke with accents of pale pink and ivory bullion roses and embroidery. The full sleeves are embellished with gathered laces framing Halle's embroidered monogram surronded by floral bows and lily of the valley. The skirt is finished with a fancy band of rows of lace, sating ribbons and Swiss embroideries. This makes a beautiful dress for a flower girl, First Communion or a special portrait. Call for pricing and sizing details.

Fancy is for Flower Girls

2009-05-13T13:40:00.000-07:00

June wedding bells will be ringing soon and now is the time to choose that special dress for your favorite little flower girl. This one of a kind creation is made of ecru silk dupioni skirt, with a french blue crocheted bodice. This is the perfect dress for your little princess flower girl. A sweet little binding of ribbon rosettes accents the waistline and ties in a sash on the back. This gown may also be made in ivory and pink or tone on tone white. Sizes 12 mos, 18 mos and 2T

Baby Nurseries

2009-03-04T12:12:00.000-08:00

When my daughter and son-in-law found out they were having their first child, a boy, I was so excited at the prospect of helping my daughter design their first nursery. Erin was on bed rest for most of her pregnancy so she would lie on the sofa and watch as I painted and readied the baby’s room. We bought the new baby an ivory iron bed and we worked everything around this to create a complete circus atmosphere. We really were thrilled with the way that it turned out and the baby thoroughly enjoyed all the colors and patterns in his room as he grew.

When baby #2 was announced, a girl, they knew that the first little house would be too small for both children. The thought of them moving away and leaving the baby Barnum & Bailey room was so sad, but alas, Erin and I realized we would have 2 more rooms to design and play with. I am very blessed that my daughter allows me to help and be a part of designing the baby nurseries. We have very similar tastes and truly enjoy decorating, sewing, painting and crafting together. You can not imagine my excitement when we found out that baby #2 was a girl. I have been collecting and storing little antiques and baby girl shabby chic items for years just with this in mind. Please enjoy looking at all the fruits of our labors to create just the most perfect cozy nest for our expected little princess.

Annie Frances is now 2 – ½ years old and guess what…she can climb out of her iron baby crib!!! After a few split chins and the fear that she might knock out one of her baby teeth, we decided it was time to take down and crib and move her into a big girl bed. Oh, how upset Erin and I were losing this beautiful little baby nest. Well, we quickly busied ourselves to try and redesign the room using as much of the existing design elements as possible. First we needed to find the perfect big girl bed for her. Our search began throughout Nashville at flea markets, antique malls and stores for a special antique iron bed for her room. The room is very small, so we knew it would need to be a twin or junior bed. Our hearts were set on a white iron bed so after exhausting just about every spot we knew, we found this one. It is an antique French iron bed and was just the right size. I know you are all going to cringe, but yes, we are going to paint it. It is lovely in the black and gold, but everything else in the princess’ room is white and pink. Annie Frances was so excited about her big girl bed, that we went ahead and put it up for her now. Since it has only been about 25 degrees this past week here in Nashville, we will wait until the temperature is warmer and then we will repaint. We’ll show pics of it then.

The Big Boy Room

When Erin moved to her new home, Collin was just turning two and since we needed the iron baby crib, it was time to move him into a big boy bed. Grandy and I searched for a perfect little bed for him since we like to help buy the children’s beds for them. We found an antique reproduction bed for him that was painted just the perfect blue for his room. Collin loves trains, planes, cars and airplanes, but he really loves trains. I knew that a transportation room would be the perfect choice for him. Again, Erin and I began collecting antique toy cars, trains and planes. Michael Miller had just the perfect fabric called Transportation that we used for bedding and draperies. We had an antique wall desk that had belonged to Erin’s Aunt Carol and a trunk that had belonged to my mother. All these antique pieces helped to pull the room together. Since Collin loved Thomas the Train, I painted him a large mural on one wall that was his very own personalized train engine.

Throughout this process, I have been asked on numerous occasions to help with other baby nurseries and baby bedding projects. We are happy to quote prices on helping to decorate other nurseries or make special pillows and bedding.

Baby Boy Blue

2009-02-25T20:08:00.000-08:00

We recently had a special client from Texas send us a picture of a beautiful antique cradle she had acquired for her expectant baby boy. She loves shadow work embroidery and asked us to design a special bedding ensemble to fit the cradle. We used their initial monogram and designed a flowing ribbon design accented with baby blue birds for the headboard and accompanying bumper pads and cradle sheet. After the baby was born, she sent us this adorable picture of her little one in the cradle. Isn’t he so sweet? We plan to use this same monogram motif for custom pillow orders. Just contact us with your initial and we will make you a special heirloom layette pillow for your special little one too.

Our client also loves our Nursery Rhyme collection garments and requested a special daygown for her new baby with a “Hey Diddle Diddle” Nursery Rhyme design embroidered on it with a little matching cap. This baby boy is so adorable in his shadow embroidered daygown. We can make customized daygowns for special orders for either baby girls, with added lace ruffles, or for baby boys using any of the Nursery Rhyme designs. Please contact us for our entire line of shadow embroidered baby layette items.

Valentine Cutie

2009-02-20T09:22:00.000-08:00

At 2 year's old Annie Frances is not really sure what Valentine's Day is all about, but she does know what "Smoochie Kisses" are (Hershey's Kisses). She expects to get to eat lots of "smoochie kisses" wearing her new Valentine's Day outfit that I made her. She wore her new outfit to her Valentine Party at her playschool and pulled all the red ribbons out of the eyelet trim on the pants. I had to replace them and I quickly learned that they needed to be tacked in so that she couldn't take them out. Erin wasn't so sure about having her wear a little peasant style smock, but after we finished it, we just loved how she looks in it. The little puff sleeves show off her little chubby arms and the fullness of the smock is just perfect for a little one's tummy. She is growing up so fast and we don't want to give up our baby yet, so this style really suits her well. We plan to make lots more of this style in more fun and trendy fabrics and we'll show you more later.

Brother/Sister Outfits

Erin is planning on having a special oil or pastel portrait done of Collin and Annie Frances so we are experimenting with outfit styles and possible settings for the portrait. I really love this Carolina Blue corduroy bishop with the chocolate accent smocking for Annie Frances. Erin was also able to find a matching sweater vest and plaid corduroy pants for Collin. (He is not too big on his grandmother making him "heirloom style" clothes anymore.) I think these style outfits would make a great look for their portraits. We went down to this little park after church on Sunday and played with some different settings to see what we liked. We took a picnic lunch and the kids had a great time exploring the old barn, rock walls, bridges and the stream. I had a really fun time snapping lots of pictures of my sweeties too!

Has Springtime come to Nashville?????

2009-02-13T07:42:00.000-08:00

The weather was gorgeous Monday and the temperature finally got up into the low 70's here. All week has really been beautiful with the exception of a little storm midweek. We just couldn't stay in the house any longer and decided to trek off exploring with the kiddos. Erin and I love to just get in the car and take off with no special place in mind...just let the scenery lead us on. Monday we ended up in one of our favorite spots, Leiper's Fork, TN. If you've never been to Leiper's Fork for a special outing, it is really worth the trip. Lots of unique little antique and gift shops, art galleries, Puckett's Grocery and Cafe and beautiful rolling hills and countryside with fabulous horse farms. Take a little peek for yourself at www.leipersforkvillage.com.

Lilac is just the prettiest color on Annie Frances, so I couldn't wait to make her this sweet little bishop with pink and lilac smocking for one of her springtime dresses. She received lots of sweet compliments when we went in to Puckett's for lunch.
As you can tell she filled up on potato chips and was fat and sassy before her grilled cheese ever made it to the table!
Collin got a really special treat today too....CocaCola to drink! We have never let him have a real coke...only sprite (no caffeine!)

A little rest on the old bench outside in the warm sun after lunch was much needed.

Of course we had to make a special stop for the kids to get out and see the ponies before heading back home and naps for all.

Time for a Party

2008-08-06T19:40:00.001-07:00

This is the Trudy Jane heirloom party dress. What little girl wouldn't be pleased as punch to be dressed up in her finest. This is the classic heirloom gown for your special little one and will be just perfect for a portrait sitting or a fancy birthday party dress. Exquisite Swiss batiste combined with French laces, silk ribbons and Swiss embroideries are used to create this special dress. Hand embroidered feather stitching is also enhances the detailing. This beautiful dress is also available in pastel pink and blue with white laces and embroideries.
Please call for design consultation and pricing.

Nursery Rhyme Collection

2008-08-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

This unique collection of classic styled children's garments are accented with shadow work designs of some of the all time classic children's nursery rhymes. All designs can be worked on either an A-line dress, a long-all girl's romper or a boy's shortall.

Dress sizing includes:
6 - 12 month priced at $90.00;
2T, 3T, 4T priced at $115.00;
5T, 6Y, 7Y and 8Y priced at $125.00.

Three Blind Mice

Little Red Riding Hood

Baa Baa Black Sheep

Humpty Dumpty

Hickory Dickory Dock

Other designs include: Old Mother Goose, Little Boy Blue, Hey Diddle Diddle, Little Miss Muffet, Mary Mary Quite Contrary, Rock-a-Bye Baby, Jack and Jill, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Three Little Kittens, Three Little Pigs, The Three Bears

Welcome!

2008-08-06T08:17:00.001-07:00

Welcome to our new blog and we are so excited to offer you our newest designs each week. We take great pride at Royal Southern Baby in offering designs that are unique couture heirlooms. They are custom creations that you will not find in boutiques and children’s shoppes or on other online stores. Each christening gown is a special design created just for your little one’s special day.

Our creations are so one of a kind that we even give them a distinctive and unique name. You may pick a style from our existing lines, but we will always re-create that design to some degree so that it will be personalized just for your little one.

We use only the finest quality natural fabrics, laces, and trims to complete the heirloom look that makes Royal Southern Baby designs so distinctive. Each of these garments have been exclusively designed and created with careful attention to detail by myself or our team of trained heirloom seamstresses making them an heirloom treasure that you will be able to pass down from generation to generation.

We look forward to having you visit us and hope that Royal Southern Baby will be an inspiration to new mothers, grandmothers and anyone who loves children and all things beautiful for them.

Much love,
Erin and Diane