Study in White: The Chemise

This is the chemise I made to go with the pink jumper from another post. It is one of the most comfortable pieces of clothing I own.

A chemise is a shirt like garment historically worn under an outer garment. It was worn next to the skin to protect the clothing from body oils and perspiration.
I used Jennie Chancey's pattern which Simplicity printed. I made some rather major changes to her pattern, as you see.

The neckline on the pattern is for a drawstring, thus it had a lot of fullness through the bodice. Instead I used the chemisette view D and made more of a blouse ~ actually a VERY long blouse! It is intended to do double duty as a blouse and slip combination.


I love the underarm gusset!

It is made of 100% cotton sateen purchased at Hancock's fabrics. It is soft enough to make baby clothing! It feels like pure luxury to wear. At $4.49 per yard, it is a great value, in my opinion. And it now comes in many different colors!

A Hymn for Sunday

For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth-
Over and around us lies:
Lord of all to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the wonder of each hour

Of the day and of the night,

Hill and vale, and tree and flow'er,

Sun and moon, and stars of light:

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
For all gentle thought and mild:
Lord of all to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For Thyself, best Gift Divine!
To our race so freely giv'n;
For that great, great love of Thine,
Peace on earth, and joy in heav'n:
Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

Words by: Folliott S. Pierpoint
Music by; Conrad Kocher (adapted by: William Henry Monk)

Taken from my daughters' blog

Sweet Old-Fashioned Jumper

On a trip to Mary Joe's taken back in the summer, I found this lovely old-fashioned print and just couldn't pass it up. Originally I though it would make charming clothespin bags. And it would have. It was made by Cranston/The Flavia Company for Quilting Treasures. It seems to be from the Bessie Pease collection. No wonder I loved it!

The jumper design was inspired by this image. It is an image from an old pattern. It looks rather Edwardian, doesn't it?

Here is a close-up of the bodice. In my next post I will show you the chemise under it.

I always enjoy seeing another lady wearing feminine clothing. They stand out. They arrest my attention and cheer me up. One time in particular, I remember a woman of about 30 walking through Wal Mart. She immediately caught my eye for she had on a hat. It was not frilly or out of place in the least. It was just an everyday felt hat that looked sharp on her, and seemed to be a natural part of who she was. If I remember correctly, she was wearing a lavender sweater which looked so lovely with her brown skin, and a neutral skirt. She looked sharp ~ I think she must have been sharp!

Here's the back view. The chemise makes this type of jumper wearable.
I will be doing some posts in the next couple of weeks showing some ideas for pretty, feminine garments. I will be doing a group of posts called "A Study In White".

I Sing the Mighty Power of God

I sing the mighty power of God that made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at his command, and all the stars obey.

I sing the goodness of the Lord that filled the earth with food,
He formed the creatures with His word, and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed where'er I turn my eye:
If I survey the ground I tread or gaze upon the sky!

There's not a plant or flow'r below but makes Thy glories known;
And clouds arise and tempests blow by order from Thy throne,
While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care,
And ev'ry-where that man can be, Thou, God, art present there.

O Give Us Homes

Unknown Writer

to be sung to the tune of "Be Still My Soul"


O give us homes built firm upon the Saviour,
Where Christ is head and counselor and guide.
Where every child is taught His love and favor,

And gives his heart to Christ the crucified.

How sweet to know that tho his footsteps waver,

His faithful Lord is walking by his side.

O give us homes with godly fathers, mothers,

Who always place their hope and trust in Him.

Whose tender patience turmoil never bother,

Whose calm and courage trouble cannot dim.

A home where each find joy in serving others,

And love still shines tho days be dark and grim.

It is my prayer that you will seek to nurture a godly home. Even if you are all alone in this endeavor, the little light He has kindled in your heart may be the light that will enable your loved ones to see the Savior. Keep it burning brightly, that it may "give light unto all that are in the house".