Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Rainbow Dress

 
Well, here it is; the rainbow dress. Since the print is bright and a little on the busy side, I kept the smocking simple. It's just a baby wave, cable combo. And how do you like the button accents?! Adds a little flair w/o being too fussy.
 
 
I used "Wild At Heart" from AS&E for the pattern. The plate I made up myself. And btw, I started over 3 times on the smocking. I also took off 9 inches on the bottom of the skirt so that I could add a band along the bottom.
 
 
The ribbon sash is completely removable if the princess's mom wants to only wash the dress. The sash keepers are a detached buttonhole stitch. Now to get this dress and the previous one sent off to my friend so two little princesses can have some new dresses for xmas.
I'm glad I didn't try to do more xmas dresses than what I did.
Next up is finishing the holly embroidered nightgown.
Did you all know Country Bumpkin is coming out with a new smocked party dress book next year. Yay! I need some new inspiration from them.
Happy smocking everyone!

Monday, December 3, 2012

Simple Smocked Dress

 
It may not look like a simple dress, but it totally is!
 
 
I only used two stitches, cables and baby waves. Small turquoise beads were added as I smocked. Just pick up a bead and take a stitch. The larger sparkly beads were added after smocking was done, just like you would if adding embroidery. Just make sure you double the knots on the back to assure them not coming off later. The princess who's getting this dress loves turquoise.
 
 
I decided to not make a traditional belt. I think it's more fun, something a little different. Now, I'm off to the fabric store to get fabric for this princess's little sister. She says rainbow is her fave color. So, a rainbowish print it is!
Keep watch over the next few weeks, as I will be starting smocking tutorials. I will be posting them in my new Smocking Tutorial at the top of the page.
Til later, happy smocking everyone!