German Dirndl Apron

In my husband Paul's family, there is a peculiar Christmas tradition of men wearing strange things. To unwrap presents, his dad wears a sequin bordered, felt vest that has been passed down for years. You’d have to see it to understand as I personally think it’s a bit sad looking from deterioration over the years. His uncle is known to show up for dinner with Christmas boxers on the outside of his pants. You don’t want to see this…
So, a few years ago, I decided that his mom needed something of her own to wear at Christmas. Because of her German heritage, I decided that a Dirndl inspired apron would be the perfect solution!
Now, I present to you, Sharon in her Christmas Dirndl Apron!

Home Decor & more

Home décor is one of my favorite sewing genres. Some time ago, my hair stylist and good friend Stephanie Migues asked me to create some window treatments for her.
My challenge, to meet Steph's eccentrically bold style with fabric! It was a challenge that I thoroughly enjoyed. Look at this beautiful bold home decor fabric that I found at Hobby Lobby.Over her kitchen sink, I created a window valance with cute wooden bead trim.For her sliding glass doors, we used the same fabric in reverse to wrap a padded wooden cornice board. This dramatically dressed up and softened an often awkward but necessary space in many homes.Near the same area, we again used the right side of this beautiful woven fabric to create a flat roman shade to provide privacy without comprising beauty or functionality.

From Sew Keeli Chic

From Sew Keeli Chic

From Sew Keeli Chic

From Sew Keeli Chic

Photography by Steph's lovely and talented husband David of ATX Photography.

Lions & Tigers & ELLE, oh my!!

For years, I’ve been longing to sew infant and children’s Halloween costumes. As a child, one of my fondest memories included the elaborate costumes that my mom would create. Everyone’s admiration for my mom’s talent made me such a proud kid.
Now, I yearned to give a special child that same feeling. I couldn’t think of a more special child than Elle. She’s the daughter of some of our dear friends who we are blessed to live near and spend lots of time with.
She’s an incredibly friendly little red head who fit the part of Dorothy splendidly.

From Sew Keeli Chic

Elle complete with Toto, basket, and ruby red slippers!

From Sew Keeli Chic

For more pictures of Elle in costume, visit her Halloween blog post.

Think of me next year when looking for that unique Halloween costume or for any special occassion costume or dress!

Euro Mermaid Dress

Meet Lucy! Lucy is the daughter of my one of my dear college roommates Cheri. You'll notice that one of my first posts is of tiny dresses I created for Lucy before she was born. This past summer, Cheri asked me to create a special dress for Lucy's first birthday using a mermaid theme. I stumbled upon this super cute and popular fabric and this is what I came up with.
Isn't she adorable?!

From Sew Keeli Chic

As a gift to Lucy, I created a flannel pendant banner with applique' letters spelling "Happy 1st Birthday Lucy". It's something she can cherish for years.

From Sew Keeli Chic

Custom Embroidery

Do you have something you want stitched out, but just don't find the boring fonts offered by other embroiderers fascinating enough? I can convert just about any font into a stitch file. I can embroider onesies, t-shirts, towels, burp cloths, Christmas stockings, etc.

Contact me to discuss your ideas.
These cute onesies are simply an example of what I can do for you.

Blue Striped Baby Blanket

I absolutely love the shades of blue and green in this striped baby blanket. The front is from a bed sheet of my granny Lucy's stash! The back is a white, softer than you can imagine fabric. The edges are bound with a soft blue satin. On the front, I've embroidered the words, "When You Wish Upon a" with the STAR being that of the Houston Astros for all you baseball fans! There are three rows of decorative stitching to hold the front to the back. Two rows are a large diamond pattern and the other is stars. The blanket is big enough to actually make a great crib blanket and I've got enough fabric remaining that for those of you who are expecting and want a nursery ensemble, I'd love to make that happen!

This adorable blanket is a steal at $45! E-mail me if you're interested!

Pink Circle Yoke Dress

This adorable pink dress has a circle yoke collar with a slightly gathered skirt. Delicate heart stitching follows the curve of the circle yoke. There are double button closures on each shoulder. The bottom band of the dress is attached with a decorative ladder stitch. The dress is lined.

The dress will fit a 6-9 month old. E-mail me for specific measurments. The price is $30.

Green Vintage Floral Dress

This adorable ALine dress is made with a fun vintage floral cotton fabric straight from my Great-Granny Lucy's stash! The kelly green background is adorned with yellow, pink, and white peonies. The top has thin straps each with twin heirloom buttonholes for growing room. This dress if fully lined. The dress will fit a 6-9 month old. Contact me for exact measurments or to buy this limited dress for only $30.

Little Lady in Pink Gingham

This cute onesie has a classic pink gingham gathered skirt attached. Baby, with an applique "B" is embroidered on the top. The skirt edging is a fantasic rolled hem to give extra body for that dainty little doll you know!

This onesie is Gerber size 3-6 months.

This boutique onesie can be yours for only $20. Contact me.

Cute as Flamenco

This cute little onesie reminds me of a flamenco dress. The skirt is a gathered vibrant stripe print with a deep pink band around the base attached with a ladder stitch.


On the top, are the words "Cute as a" with a real button for a special element. The words are stitched with a vibrant varigated thread to match the stripes of the skirt. It is a Gerber size 3-6 months.


This special onesie can be yours for only $20.

Sweet as Cherries

This adorable onesie has an attached stretch knit skirt with two rows of gathered ruffles.
There are two cherries embroidered on the front of the onesie that have textured fill stitching.
The onesie is Gerber, size 3-6 months.
Contact me to buy this one-of-a-kind onesie for only $20.

Baptismal Layette

In 2005, Paul and I had the privilege of volunteering for World Youth Day held in Cologne, Germany. It was certainly an experience of a lifetime and out of it grew very special friendships. One of those was with Vince & Silvia who live in Parma, Italy. Since 2005, they have visited Texas and we toured Italy with them. Just after our last visit in the fall of 2007, they found out they were expecting a baby.
I wanted to make something very special for little Giulia (Julia). Something that would become a family heirloom and would forever remind her mom and dad of the experiences we shared at WYD2005.
Here it is! A baptism ensemble complete with gown, coat, bonnet, blanket, and pillow.

All pieces are made of cotton batiste adorned with beautiful Venetian lace and finished off with machine embroidery in a very dainty heart and leaf vine pattern. The gown yoke has tiny pin tucks overlaid with embroidery and the bottom has tucks just above the lace edging. It was certainly a labor of love, but finishing it filled me with excitement thinking of her baptism and being able to follow her as she grows up. I used Vogue Pattern 2675 which was probably the most intricate project I have undertaken, but I loved it.

My friend Jody Horton took the pictures for me in his studio. Thanks Jody for all your hard work on these.

Oh boy!

Part of Laurel's gift to baby Brock with the added benefit of decorations for his baby shower, Laurel asked me to create these delightful onesies.

Check out the adorable closeline of onesies on her mantel!

The buttons are real and give great dimension to the already cute design.

The embroidered letters are fun fonts with 'fancy fill' to create texture.

Be sure to sign up for my e-mail notifications because I've been busy at work in my sewing studio producing new items. What's to come... a beautiful heirloom baptismal layette set, a mermaid inspired birthday dress for a super special one year old, an Astro's fan inspired baby blanket, and more onesies!

Hooter Hider, Bebe Au Lait, Nursing Necklace...

...whatever you call it, I hear they're a real gem to have when you're nursing. This past weekend, we enjoyed showering mama-to-be Ashley Woytek with gifts and my gift to her was this personalized "hooter hider". If you're trying to find that super special personalized gift, look no further. Contact me and I'm more than happy to help you create that one of a kind, oh so special gift.

Spa Bath Wraps--Great Bridal Party Gifts

I was recently asked to create 'spa bath wraps' for two bridal parties. One being my sister's and the other being a friend's son. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures of the one's from Mandy's wedding. Those were white towels, with a black polka-dot ribbon and bow, accented with an initial monogram for each guest of her wedding.

These photos are from Corey & Lindsey Dedmon's Wedding which took place just last Friday.

Congrats Mr. & Mrs. Dedmon!

These wraps were made from plush Ralph Lauren towels, and accented with black and 'pool' color print fabric, bow, and a heart applique with each attendant's initial and the wedding date.

Busy Baby Boys

Onesies... so plain, but yet so practical. Why not frill them up a bit?

These onesies were created for my cousin Joni's new baby boy Maher. They are created using Gerber onesie with hand appliqued shapes. This project took a sort of transportation theme complete with sail boat, helicopter, golf cart, and my personal favorite, the vintage travel trailer! Notice the velvet curtains in the trailer! It's the American dream!

Beside it is a simple but stylish burp rag for that loveable little lad.

In addition to appliqued onesies for boys, I also enjoy making girly ones frilled up for that lovely littlest lady!

Cowboys, Indians, and Tepees

I can't believe it's taken me more than a month to post, but I've been seriously busy in my sewing room.

I recently finished a tepee for my nephew Keaton and his "bpuppy" Campbell. Yes, his puppy isn't like most puppies... she's an 8 month old Harlequin Great Dane who sits as tall as he stands.

The tepee is made of denim complete with embroidered stars around the outside that glow in the dark. PVC poles hold the shape of the tepee and make it easily moved and collapsible for storage.

Additionally, my nephew will soon have another "friend" to share his tepee with OR maybe Aunt Keeli will have to make a pink one.

Yes, my sister is expecting another baby. Congrats Mandy, Michael, Keaton, and Baby Thompson!

Quilting...

...something I didn't think I'd ever do... and might try only once more ;)
Over a year ago, I took a fun class at my favorite store, Sew Much More, on quilting using a serger . I learned a lot about quilting... and especially about myself during this project!
1. 1/8 of an inch is a big deal when you 'don't worry about it' 32 times!
2. cutting identical squares (or fat quarters as they're called) isn't as easy as it looks
3. I don't have the patience to do quilts!
I'm showing you all this because I am crazy enough to undertake a quilt once more just to confirm if I really dislike it.
This one took me nearly 2 years to finish... and no it should not have taken near that long. I think perhaps it was waiting for that very special recipient. Here's to you Jess, Chiara & Adam!

Elle's First Birthday

Elle just turned 1! It's been such a joy seeing some of our closest friends raise a beautiful, happy, and sweet baby girl. I just had to make her some special items.

Introducing...

Those of you that know me, know that I'm not a word smith. So, it's through this blog that I hope to share with you in a sort of newsletter format my newest creations.
Sew Keeli Chic is my creative outlet after 5:30.
Please share my blog with all of your friends and know that I'm more than happy to freelance all of your sewing and embroidery needs.
These are dresses that I created for my college roomie, cheri's baby girl lucy! They were made with great joy using vintage linens from the closet of my late granny LUCY!