Facebook and New Items

Recently we set up a Facebook page for our business to help customers stay up to date with new items we are sewing. We are trying to add more items to our "Ready to Ship" section on our Etsy page. And as we add new items we will include a link on our Facebook page. You can check out our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/TaylorsScarletThread

We have added some lovely new pioneer dresses:

As well as some adorable lederhosen:

We also have some lovely summer dresses "Ready to Ship" that are also available for customer ordering:

"How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria"

"How do you solve a problem like Maria?" A problem?

If she only knew-- Maria von Trapp’s life continues to be a blessing to countless people around the world. Her beautiful life story still brings joy and pleasure to many through dance productions and plays, as well as providing our family with sewing opportunities! The rippling effect of one life lived for God is amazing. We have always been inspired by the creativity and imagination of Maria von Trapp and her family; their beautiful music, self-sufficient life style, and their way of dress.

Over the years we have enjoyed sewing clothes that have a European flair. A couple of years ago we began selling a dress that we named in honor of Maria von Trapp- Maria’s Austrian Floral Dress. Since first introducing this dress we have sewn several for different heritage days events, Oktoberfest and even school productions of “The Sound of Music”.

This past December we were contacted by a dance studio with a request to sew 19 of our Maria’s Austrian dresses, 19 pairs of bloomers and two lederhosen with shirt sets. The dance studio was planning to perform a dance production to the music from “The Sound of Music”. We were thrilled with the opportunity!

We had never created lederhosen before but it was something we had wanted to sew for quite some time. My mother sewed a prototype, with great success! Then she moved on to sewing the two sets for the dance studio. I thought they turned out really well. As a side note- we will soon be offering lederhosen in our Etsy shop.

My mother did the majority of sewing, but my sister and I helped out by sewing all of the bloomers. Yesterday, as we finished up the last of the order, we listened to the soundtrack from “The Sound of Music” and imagined how sweet all 21 children will look dancing to the beautiful music! We are so grateful that the LORD blessed us with this opportunity and for the beautiful life example of Maria von Trapp.

Classic Literature and Doll Clothes

Throughout our homeschool years my mother always instilled in us a love of classic literature and history. I remember many cozy evenings when we would all gather together and mom would read aloud. The stories made history come alive, and to this day I love reading historical fiction.

When I was twelve I read “Little Women” for the first time. I was completely enthralled and could not put the book down. Not only was “Little Women” an enjoyable story it was a story of real life challenges- as relevant today as when first written. I guess that is something I really appreciate about classic literature. Authors seemed to be able to weave character building qualities into each of their wonderful stories.

Looking back I can see just how important it is to introduce children to classics. As youngsters are not always able to read a classic book on their own, a great introduction is to read a book aloud together as a family; and for the little girl in your family perhaps a doll outfit would help make that story come alive.

My mother, sisters and I have had fun finding vintage books and sewing a new line of doll clothes inspired by classic books. Please be sure to check them out here.

Give Away and Quotes

This time of year always brings back wonderful memories of our homeschool days. I remember one year in particular when we enjoyed learning all about Laura Ingalls Wilder. Mom had found a curriculum about the “Little House” book series. She read “Little House in the Big Woods” aloud; we made homemade butter by shaking canning jars filled with cream and a clothes pin. Mom even made us flannel prairie dresses and found bonnets for us. We had so much fun!

This month we are offering a calico bonnet and prairie pinafore as our giveaway. The pinafore is a size 5/6. The pinafore is beautifully detailed with hand embroidery and ruffled hem.

To enter the contest simply leave a comment. We would love to hear of your special memories that might relate to “Little House” or this time of year. The winner's name will be drawn and announced October 22^nd.

To close this post we thought we would share some quotes from Laura Ingalls Wilder.

“The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.” 

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“I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.” 

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“When the fiddle had stopped singing Laura called out softly, "What are days of auld lang syne, Pa?"
"They are the days of a long time ago, Laura," Pa said. "Go to sleep, now."
But Laura lay awake a little while, listening to Pa's fiddle softly playing and to the lonely sound of the wind in the Big Woods,…
She was glad that the cozy house, and Pa and Ma and the firelight and the music, were now. They could not be forgotten, she thought, because now is now. It can never be a long time ago.” 

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“As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness -- just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breath it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and a cool breeze when the day is warm.” 

Sale Items

 Now offered at a special sale price! Click here for more photos of September Posey. This darling dress even comes with an embroidered purse. Now on sale for $25.

Our embroidered prairie outfit includes a dress, pinafore and bonnet. This outfit can be purchased here for $35.

Pioneer Paper Doll

 We are offering a free pioneer paper doll with the next 5 pioneer or prairie outfits purchased from our website or Etsy page.

Here is a photo of our newest pioneer outfit.  

Free Summer Dresses

*All three dresses have found homes. : ) But please keep watching as we plan to offer some other items for free.

We are offering three summer dresses for free. Please just email us, or comment on this post. The first to ask will receive the dress requested. As dresses are taken I will make an addition to this post to let everyone know which dresses are still available.

  The dress pictured above is available in two sizes, 10 and 12. The finished measurements for the size 10 are: bust- 38" and length from shoulder to hem 51".   *Size 10& 12 no longer available.

The finished meausrements for the size 12 dress are: bust- 40" and length from shoulder to hem- 51".

*Size 12 no longer available.

The lavender dress pictued above is a size 18. This dress is designed to fit someone with approximately a 42/43" bust and no larger than a 41" waist. The length from shoulder to hem is 45".

*Size 18 no longer available.

We are looking forward to hearing from anyone interested in these dresses and hope they will be a blessing to someone! : )

Happy Fourth of July!

This is a photo of the wheat field across the road from our home. What a blessing to see such beauty each day!

 Over the past week we have enjoyed photographing some new items for our Etsy shop in front of the wheat field.

Below is an excerpt from "Little Town on the Prairie" by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Then Pa began to sing. All at once everyone was singing:

“My country, ‘tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing….

“Long may our land be bright
With Freedom’s holy light,
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God, Our King!”

The crowd was scattering away by then, but Laura stood stock still. Suddenly she had a completely new thought: God is America’s King.

She thought: Americans won’t obey any king on earth. Americans are free. That means they have to obey their own consciences. No king bosses Pa; he has to boss himself. Why (she thought), when I am a little older, Pa and Ma will stop telling me what to do, and there isn’t anyone else who had a right to give me orders. I will have to make myself good.

Her whole mind seemed to be lighted up by that thought. This is what it means to be free. It means, you have to be good. “Our father’s God, author of liberty-“ The laws of Nature and of Nature’s God endow you with a right to life and liberty. Then you have to keep the laws of God, for God’s law is the only thing that gives you a right to be free.

From “Little Town on the Prairie” by Laura Ingalls Wilder


“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

New Spring Fabric

Here are some lovely new fabrics we received earlier this week! We were so very pleased to find a wonderful selection of tiny floral print calico. The fabric is a very nice quality, and soft. We have ordered a couple more bolts that should arrive sometime next week.

A New Pioneer Outfit!

This darling new outfit can be purchased through either our website or Etsy shop!

Maria's Austrian Floral Dress for Ladies

Last fall we introduced Gretel’s Peasant Outfit to our Etsy shop and website. It proved to be a well received item, and we had many requests for a ladies dress in the styling of our Gretel Outfit or Maria’s Austrian Floral Dress. This fall we are introducing our Ladies Maria’s Austrian Floral Dress. We have two available in-stock on our Etsy page, as well as the option to custom order this dress in the size and color of your choice. Hopefully, the Gretel Outfit for ladies will soon follow, but until then we are excepting custom orders for that outfit too. : )

"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs with no fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is a rule when she gives instructions. She carefully watches all that goes on in her household and does not bear the consequences of laziness." Proverbs 31:25-27

 

Sale!

This week I have been posting sale priced items on ebay, as well as some patterns and a couple odds and ends. I am still in the process of adding items and plan to add a couple more ladies dresses over the next few days. You can view the items I have listed here. Below are just a few of the items I have listed.

                                                          Ladies Navy Empire Waist Dress

                                                        Hand Knit Wool Shawl

                                                 Blue and White Checked 1940's Swing Dress

Brown Calico Apron

The photos above were sent to us by a dear customer living in California. She had ordered a Cecilia dress and bonnet from our website for her granddaughter. Her granddaughter is a fan of "Little House on the Prairie". I must say this time of year always brings Little House to mind. Of late my mother and I have enjoyed listening to "By the Shores of Silver Lake" on cd while we sew.

The Story of The Scarlet Thread Part Two

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1


Throughout the winter and spring of 2005 we busily sewed in anticipation of the LEAH (loving education at home) convention in Syracuse, New York. For years we had attended the convention. In fact my two sisters and I graduated at the LEAH convention.
We were somewhat apprehensive; would people be interested in purchasing clothing? Or were they simply there to purchase curriculum?
Upon our arrival we were directed to our booth space. Much to our amazement we were located at the front of the vendor hall! As each person entered the convention our booth was the first to be seen. Another unexpected blessing was the fact that one of the main themes of the 2005 convention was purity and modesty. Two virtues we certainly try to uphold with our sewing.
The convention proved to be an amazing blessing and encouragement to us all. We sold almost everything, met wonderful people, and were given the idea of creating a website for our business.
The remainder of 2005 was very busy for my sisters and me in a way we had never expected. Through the recommendation of a friend we were hired as temporary help at a local bridal shop. Our business, The Scarlet Thread, was put on hold throughout the summer and fall of 2005.
While working at the bridal shop we were taught how to alter bridal wear, which in turn was a great way to learn how to sew bridal wear. When looking back I realized that our time at the bridal shop was just another step. The LORD used that time to teach us an entirely new aspect of sewing.
Throughout the fall my mother did receive orders from customers we had met at the LEAH convention. As we all settled down for the winter of 2006 we began working towards having enough merchandise for the 2006 convention.
When spring arrived we began photographing our merchandise with the intent of launching our website. We had the pleasure of spending a day that spring with one of the lovely families we met at the convention. Their two daughters were our original models for the girls’ page of our website. Our site was completed shortly before the convention.

My concept of the internet was very limited at that time. Never having really shopped or used the internet I could not grasp the vast audience that a website could draw. My hope was to hand out enough business cards during the convention in order that those living in New York would be familiar with our business, and would perhaps visit our website throughout the year. The thought of people in other states or even different countries finding our website never even crossed my mind. I thought potential customers would not even know about The Scarlet Thread unless I personally told them or they heard about us from a friend.
The 2006 convention was just as wonderful as that of 2005. We were all quite excited to see what the LORD had planned next for The Scarlet Thread.
The first order we received through our website was for a girls slip from a town called Taylorsville in North Carolina. I was delighted, Taylorsville. : )
Throughout the late summer of 2006 my mother, sisters and I experienced a major change in our family. It was a very difficult time, emotionally and financially. It seemed that the LORD had planned the perfect time for our website to begin. It not only began to provide for us financially, but the busyness and interaction with customers at the time was so necessary for us!
Much to my surprise we were receiving orders from all over the country. Many other businesses linked with our site, which brought people to our website that never would have known about us.
That Christmas was wonderful, by that time we were receiving a consistent flow of orders, and we just loved sewing all the little nightgowns for different customers. We could just imagine all the little girls in different states waking up Christmas morning wearing the nightgowns we had sewn.
I began keeping track of all the states and countries we sold to, and as of today we have sent orders to 48 of the 50 states. The two states we are waiting for are Wyoming and Nevada. We have also sold to 9 countries-- Belgium, Australia, France, and Germany to name a few.
Sometimes it’s hard to believe just 7 years ago we were selling our merchandise at Hanna Junction, never in our wildest imagination could we have dreamed of selling our clothing around the world. God is so faithful!!

Both photos above are of our booth at the LEAH convention.

The Story of The Scarlet Thread Part One

"Who despises the day of small things?" Zechariah 4:10a

Earlier this week my mother and I were reminiscing about the year we began our business The Scarlet Thread. With such small beginnings, we marveled at how God has blessed us and taken us to places we never imagined possible!
In the spring of 2003 I graduated from high school. The winter preceding my completion of home schooling I was very concerned with what I should do next in life. Everywhere I went people were asking me, “Are you going to college?”. I did not feel that the LORD was leading me to attend college, but at the same time I was unsure of His plan for me. About that time through the verse 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependant on anybody.” my family felt directed to open a small booth at a local farmers’/craft market, Hanna Junction.
Hanna Junction had been a very popular indoor market through out my childhood. Opened one day of the week, it was always a special treat to visit and purchase a homemade pretzel. With high hopes we furnished our booth with all our handmade doll dresses, baby dresses and purses. At the beginning of the season I had very carefully sewn several doll dresses, all the same style just in different fabric. I remember our first day of business I sold two doll dresses to a mother; I was delighted that someone liked what I had sewn.
At the same time we were sewing for our booth at Hanna Junction, I was beginning a correspondence dress making course. I now felt sure that the LORD was directing me to further my skills in sewing. Through out the years I was home schooled I had always enjoyed handicrafts, especially embroidery, but up until this point I had never considered this the beginning of a possible “career”.
As the summer progressed our sales rather than growing decreased, this was very discouraging! However this problem was not unique to our business, it seemed that Hanna’s Junction was reaching the end of it’s popularity. Our first year of business would mark their last year. It was at this time that a fellow vendor directed us to another farmers’ market. This was an outdoor market, and our first day to set up at the Geneva farmers’ market was very hot and sunny! Even then the LORD provided. Our friend from Hanna’s Junction had an extra tent which she gave to us. For the next few years to follow we used that tent many times.
The Geneva farmers’ market was positioned in a parking lot across from Seneca Lake, one of the Finger Lakes and the traffic was great. We were so blessed and surprised. The following two summers we would set up our tent piece by piece by the light of street lamps at 6 am. We even spread out to other markets, at one point we were attending three markets a week.
During the Christmas season we would attend craft shows. My favorite show was located at the Granger Homestead. The Granger Homestead is a large Civil War era home originally owned by Gideon Granger the first United States Post Master General. We were privileged to display our merchandise in one of the lovely Victorian bedrooms in which was decorated with a beautiful pink floral wallpaper. I was thrilled! Our line of merchandise had greatly increased by this time. We were now knitting shawls, scarves and hats, sewing several styles of doll dresses, sewing nightgowns, girls’ dresses of various styles and many different style purses.
Photos above: top photo- our booth at Hanna's Junction, middle The Granger Homestead and bottom photo is our tent at the Geneva Farmers' Market