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!