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Tuesday, September 23, 2008
It is officially the first week of fall and a few new things have arrived to get your creative juices flowing.

There are two new corduroy prints from Robert Kaufman. The Chocolate brown with flowers and blue birds is a favorite of mine. It would be adorable as a Children's Corner Paulie, or Lucy Jumper with a blouse or turtleneck underneath. The black with red and lime apples coordinates well with the lime or red gingham for a cute skort such as Sara's Skort or an Ainsley skirt by Children's Corner.

Also new this week are chocolate and red velveteens. I was looking through a ready to wear catalog recently and came up on an adorable jumper with a Liberty print blouse. There are several liberty prints that would coordinate with the red or the chocolate velveteen for a pretty winter outfit. Just a note on the red velveteen... the color is a rosy red so if you want to be sure about the color before ordering I will be happy to send a swatch.

Ginger Snap Designs has a new pattern, Beach Dresses III and Bedtime Pajama's by Oliver +S is also new.

Laura Hensley shared a picture of her daughter Kathryn in Children's Corner Macy made from Fabric Finders printed twill #453. Laura is a very proud mother and after 2 boys, is enjoying getting to sew for a little girl. And Kathryn clearly loves her new "Ballet Dress". If you have pictures to share please email them to me and you just might see your creation here. Everyone loves to see your ideas and I love sharing them.

I've added several new pictures and ideas to the New Arrivals page. Watch for the addition of several more in the next day or so!

Have a great day,
Lynn

Thursday, September 11, 2008
The weather is starting to cool off and feel like fall just in time for the arrival of fairs and football games.

A couple of new printed florals arrived this week from Fabric Finders. I fell in love with FF-492 in the chocolate color. It coordinates well with the chocolate twill and would make a great top and pants outfit for the fall. My mother chose FF-460 and it coordinates well with several of the twill colors. I thought of smocking it in browns and red or yellow for a top and matching one of the twills with it for pants.

Ginger Snaps Designs has a new pattern out... Baby Sacque. It has a flat raglan sleeve and can be trimmed out in binding or flat edging.

I finally had a chance to try out one of the new Oliver+s patterns this weekend and found the instructions and construction to be fairly simple. I used the new hot pink twill and FF-484 pique with black piping. The P-182 MOP button was a perfect match to the pique.

If you are local and have a chance to drop in, don't be surprised if you are greeted by a little four legged creature. My parents adopted Jake last October. When my dad started dialysis in May, Jake became very distraught on the days my dad wasn't at home to give him all the attention he thought he deserved so, Jake has been coming to work with me one day a week. He makes sure everyone gets greeted and then takes up his usual spot in front of the window in the sunshine. He does get paid good too with a sonic hamburger in the mornings. I hope everyone has survived the hurricane weather and that you are ready for some fall sewing.

Have a great day.
Lynn

Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Lots of new things have been slowly arriving. The Kelly Green mini micro check was such a big hit that I have had to reorder it and this time I also ordered the regular size (1/16") gingham and the micro stripe in Kelly Green. It is time to work on those Christmas outfits and Kelly Green would be a great choice this year.

The cooler weather here lately reminds us all that fall is fast approaching and the need for fall outfits. I have restocked the Fabric Finders print #453 that I have listed in the new arrivals since it sold out almost immediately. I have also added print #493 that would make a great fall dress or would even work well for the holiday season.

I have added three new twills in solid colors. These twills are great for fall jumpers or for pants. The new colors are Hot Pink, Navy and Chocolate.

The Light Blue Dobby that I ordered earlier this month was such a favorite that I decided to get the other colors. It is now available in Pink, Blue, White and Mint. Fabric Finders plans to have it available in a cream color by the end of the year.

I am expecting more new fabrics from Michael Miller and Kuafman Fabrics in the next few weeks so watch the new arrivals page for ideas using these.

If you haven't already checked out all the new patterns, you'll find these on the miscellaneous patterns page. There are some great new skirt and pant patterns and several of them include sizes 1-12 in one pattern. My new favorite pattern company is the Oliver + S Patterns. These patterns look very sweet and simple. I haven't had the chance to get one made yet but am hoping to work on it this weekend. I only have two styles in right now but there are several others on the way so keep watching the misc. pattern page for more.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Labor Day Monday. The store will be closed for the day.

Lynn

Friday, August 08, 2008
I want to take a moment to thank everyone, that I haven't already thanked, for all your warm wishes and congratulations on this new adventure for me. It has been a wonderful week so far and I am looking forward to many more.

With the weather so hot it is hard to think about fall and holiday outfits, but that time is just around the corner and what better way to stay cool than to sit in the air conditioning and sew. I have already mentioned the several new colors of corduroy we have in and this week I received a wonderful new pique from fabric finders that will coordinate with several of the corduroy colors. FF-484 is an adorable floral pique in hot pink, lime, blue, and black. It would make a great back to school outfit such as a Millie top with corduroy pants in one of the coordinating colors. And don't forget... the pique is on sale through August 15th.

There are lots of new arrivals this week not only in fabric but in patterns and smocking plates as well. Bonnie Blue has a new pattern, Marcy for sizes 3m to 24m and I just received the two latest patterns by Love and Stitches, Rosebud Daygown and Banded Diaper Shirt and Nappy. There are 5 new smocking plates from Cross-eyed Cricket; Life's a Beach, Dachshunds, Hula Hoopers, Party Bishop and Bishop for all Seasons. I really like the Bishop for all Seasons plate and with fall and Christmas coming up you can get two outfits done with one plate. If you are celebrating a birthday soon, the Party Bishop would be adorable for the festive occasion.

Don't forget the sale is still going on through the 15th. I've had a great response to it so far but still have plenty of sale fabric to choose from.

Have a great day!
Lynn

July 30, 2008

Dear friends,

When I started working for Carol Harris Company a little over 2 years ago, I looked at it as an opportunity to sharpen my skills and draw inspiration from Carol herself. I never dreamed that my idea of the "dream job" could turn into another dream... of one day owning the business. The opportunity presented itself several months ago and a plan has been in the works for awhile to make it happen. I look forward to this new adventure and to continuing to bring you the same outstanding customer service you have become accustomed to and to bring you new and exciting inspirations.

A little about me... like Carol, I have a background in nursing. Sewing has always been a passion of mine and was a great stress reliever. I can't remember how old I was when I started begging my mother to let me use her sewing machine but, like most sewers, she was just a little protective of her "baby" (the machine, not me!). I received my first machine that Christmas and I was hooked. It was a simple Singer machine with straight and zig-zag stitches and I wore it out making Barbie doll clothes. There have been several machines since that first one and when my brothers started having children, a love for smocking and heirloom sewing was born. When I picked up my first copy of Sew Beautiful I knew I was hooked. Pictured here are my inspirations, my nieces and nephews: (front row) Gina, Alexis, holding Mark, and Kate, (back row) Harrison and Hannah.

The summer and its hot weather are upon us with full force so what better way to spend a hot day than enjoying an afternoon of sewing in the cool air conditioning for your inspirations. To get you inspired I am putting all Seersucker and Pique on SALE at 30% off. You have plenty of time to get a couple of more cool summer outfits in before the weather cools off. Also on sale are the floral, novelty, and printed lawns, excluding the liberty prints, for 30% off. Enjoy these sale prices August 1 through August 15.

*The shopping cart WILL NOT figure your discount for these sale items. Your discount will be taken in store and your invoice total adjusted accordingly.

It will soon be time to start thinking about fall and holiday sewing. We just received 4 new colors of Fabric Finders Corduroy; blue, royal, black, and lime. I have also been looking at some fun prints to order for coordinates with the corduroys so watch the new arrivals page for these.

I look forward to continuing our association by assisting you in your planning and purchases. I hope to continue to bring you the great customer service you have come to know.

Thank You,
Lynn

July 21, 2008

Dear friends,

It is hard for me to believe that it has been 13 years since I opened Carol Harris Company in downtown Dyersburg. My oldest grandchild, a boy named Quinton, was only a month old when I opened the doors. In those early years I kept a playpen in my office so I could baby sit during store hours. As Quinton grew and more grandchildren came along, the business evolved from a small local shop into an international competitor in the smocking and heirloom sewing world. Yes, the internet came along at the right time for me and CHC. Establishing an on-line presence brought me a lot more than the increase in sales that I expected (and needed). My life has surely been richer and fuller because of the friendships I've made through Carol Harris Company.

This year Quinton turned 13, and as he has turned the corner into adolescence, I felt the need to turn a corner also. For the last couple of years, I've felt increasingly pressured to take a more active role in our family business. Well, long story short, one person can only do so many things and do them well. As I've turned my attention more and more to the family business, the management of Carol Harris Company has been assumed by a wonderfully loyal employee, Lynn Bingham. It makes me very happy to announce that Lynn has decided to buy Carol Harris Company. As she has been managing the company for some time, there is no learning curve in store for her. She will assume ownership seamlessly on August 1 with the same goals of offering an extensive range of quality merchandise at a fair price shipped in a timely fashion. I am passing the torch to Lynn with complete confidence in her integrity as a businesswoman, her skill as a stitcher, and her good taste in choosing beautiful inventory. Besides all of that, Lynn is a very nice lady with a wonderful sense of humor.

Because of my deep love of sewing beautiful clothes for children, it is truly impossible for me to leave the industry altogether. I will look forward to seeing many of you at schools and conventions; and I hope you will continue to look for my article, Heirloom Legacy, in each issue of Creative Needle magazine.

There is no way to adequately express my deep appreciation for your business and for your friendship over the last 13 years. May God bless each and every one of you.

Sincerely,
Carol

Friday April 4, 2008

We awakened to yet another dreary day here in west Tennessee, the perfect weather for finishing or starting a new sewing project and the newest seersuckers that we have just received make me yearn for sunny summer days. Molly Jane Taylor's Sunsuit would make up adorable smocked or unsmocked for a cool, refreshing outfit.

If you are ready to plan ahead for fall, we just received 5 new fabulous Liberty prints and will be getting some ideas up on the new arrivals for you soon.

The Strawberry and Red Pompom trim was such a big hit, we called and ordered 3 other colors, Red and Copen, Copen and Jade, and Royal and Nile. Copen and Jade is the perfect coordinate for the fish seersucker FF371 and the possibilities for the other two colors are endless. We look forward to seeing what some of you do with these wonderful trims.

Easter is now behind us and I know many were sewing down to the last minute trying to get everything finished. We have received many pictures and wanted to share some with you here. Kristen Benjamin sent pictures of her daughter Leah wearing one of Carol's Heirloom Legacy Dresses. Gates Fox looks like the angel I'm sure she is in her Lacy LuCinda made by mom Kelli. Susan Culverhouse sent photos of her daughter Merrill Ann. Lavender was a popular color this Easter and is certainly a pretty color on Merrill Ann. Cathy Odom sent photos of "grammy's" new arrival in his Easter outfit. We are certainly glad she has a new little one to sew and smock for. These moms did a great job. The looks on the girls faces show how pleased they were with their Easter finery.

We have also received photos of finished projects from the most recent Gail Doane school. Sarah Minton and Martha Broyles have sent pictures of their finished Jackets. Now all you other ladies from the class see it can be finished so get to work and get those pictures sent in.

Let us hear from you soon,
Lynn

March 17, 2008
Happy St. Patrick's Day! I hope everyone remembered to wear green!

We have had a bit of "the luck of the Irish" around here today. The FedEx driver just brought that huge box I've been looking for and I hope this translates into good news for you, too. As everyone knows, we've been searching high and low for an alternate to the German interfacing we used to stock but can no longer get. After much searching, I've found something I like even better and it carries a much more reasonable price tag. It is a very lightweight fusible woven tricot. You may be familiar with the knitted tricot that has been around for a few years; but our new find is woven. Before I invested in this huge roll of interfacing, I did seek the opinion of Gail Doane; and Gail gives this product an "A". Our new product, which we call "Fusible Baby-Facing", is a little harder to cut out as it wants to wiggle around a bit; but Gail and I agree that the finish this interfacing gives is worth the extra effort. This interfacing produces a very softly interfaced collar, placket, etc. that doesn't even feel as if interfacing has been used while giving the extra body needed to support buttonholes, piping, etc. In my humble opinion, it is perfect for childrenswear. To conquer the "wiggling", I suggest serrated scissors or a rotary cutter. Otherwise, handle "Fusible Baby-Facing" exactly like German interfacing; and I think you'll like the way it performs. "Fusible Baby-Facing" is 60" wide and $8.00/yard. For packages of 3 yards or more, the price drops to $6.75/yard.

We also have some exciting new European fabrics that have recently arrived with even more on the way. Watch our "florals" page and "New Arrivals" to see these. The new trims go great with the color schemes and mood of the new fabrics.

We have several photos to share with you today. Deborah Simpson sent us some photos of her darling granddaughter wearing an adorable dress that Deborah made for her. And Deborah has a brand new granddaughter! Deborah's "to-do" list is certainly growing.

Cissie Wellons, has completed 2 garments within the last week. I don't think I've ever seen anyone who could turn out quality as fast as Cissie. I am eternally grateful to Cissie, who makes so many Heirloom Legacy garments and makes them so beautifully.

Our accountant, Alison Isom, has 4 beautiful children. The last 2, twin girls, were born prematurely last fall. Alison manages to juggle a full-time job, new babies, 2 older children, and my feeble attempts at bookkeeping. I just don't know what I'd do without her. Aren't these children beautiful!

Hopefully, I'll have some wedding photos to share with you very soon. In the meantime, have a wonderful Easter!

Carol