Outfit For October Challenge

Here's my outfit all finished for the Facebook Challenge on Adorable Heirlooms. I think it turned out pretty cute considering I wasn't sure what I was going to do with the fabric in the first place. I read there are only 4 people involved in this challenge. At least that's how many emailed in a pic of fabric they chose. Everyone else is just going to do the voting I guess. Do you think it's wrong to vote for my own project? I won't make up my mind yet, as I have not seen the other projects yet.

I used "Kewpie" from issue 93 of AS&E in size 6 mos.

Here's the little bloomers to go with. Aren't they cute? No ugly diapers showing with the baby who wears this outfit.

And this is what both pieces look like together.

I had a girl I used to work with email the yesterday and ask if I would be willing to smock her matching dresses for her 18 mos old and 4 year old nieces. Well, I said anything for a good friend like you. Now I wonder what she is going to pick out. She did say she wanted to pay me, but I said I will do the dresses for the cost of the supplies and whatever else she wants to give me is up to her.

Happy smocking everyone!

Alice Blue pattern

Here's my news I wanted to share with everyone. I'm so excited to share this with everyone! I can't even tell you how much. My dress is on the front cover of the pattern sleeve. There's going to be a kit available at Fine Stitchery. And the designer of the pattern is the wonderful and talented Laura Johnson with her darling daughter, Ellie modeling the dress. Isn't she just the cutest kid?! There are more pics, some close ups on Laura's blog. I hope to one day do more testing for Laura. She has some really great ideas in the creative mind of hers!

From Gail Doane's Book

The fabric I got a couple weeks ago at Craft Warehouse. It's "Willow" Fleur - C 4794 from Timeless Treasures. Since it's a tone on tone, it makes a great canvas for smocking and embroidery. I usually don't have to worry about fabric fighting with my smock plate. This top pic is more true to color.

If you want to use the same smock plate, it's "Summer Garden" from Gail Doane's book "Sew Cute Couture" also named "Cute As a Button". I've used this plate a few times and it always turns out great! You can look back to my December 6, 2010 post and see another dress I stitched up. And just a couple months ago at this year's fair a lady used the same pattern for a smocked dress she made. And I did use crystals as flower centers and the rosebuds on the vine. I love using crystals, they add the right amount of bling to a princess dress.

And using Gail Doane's book, well I've said before I LOVE THIS BOOK. I do, absolutely love it. I now think the next thing to work on is the collar, cuffs and belt. I've got lots more embroidery and I am going to finish the sleeves and collar with faggoting insertion. At least that's the plan at this point. I'm also planning on attaching a border along the hem out of the same fabric as the collar, which at this point I'm thinking of using my favorite white sateen. But as you know, when designing a dress, all your thought out plans can change at the drop of a hat. And I may even make a jacket to go with the dress. Happy smocking everyone!

October Challenge on Facebook

I just found out what the new challenge for October. Laurie at Adorable Heirlooms has posted the rules for the challenge. If you want to be involved go to the discussion tab and post. One of the rules is to find an "ugly" piece, new or stash. I picked a piece out of my stash. I wouldn't say it's ugly, I don't buy ugly fabric. Yah, now I can hear everyone laughing. Well, I don't know what to do with the piece. And I will have to wait til later to know what we are supposed to make with it. Anyway, here's what my fabric looks like.

Exciting News!

I can't tell you yet, but I have some exciting news coming soon about the dress I tested for Ellie Inspired. I bustin' to spill the beans, but I'm holding myself back. I will be able to tell you are more like show you on Oct 8. So everyone will just have to sit tight until then. Me especially!

Happy smocking everyone!