A Dress For a Friend

AS&E issue 90

Smock plate is "Wild At Heart"

I feel like it's been ages since I've done regular posts to my blog. So anyway, this fabric is from Hancock Fabrics. We have lots of rose prints right now, which is right up my alley. And of course, most are pink prints, yeah! There are loads of prints I want right now, but I am holding myself down to just getting my favorites. I seem to find bunches of fabrics I just can't live without. I know all you sewing girls have the same affliction. But it's not one you'd want to change. More enabling please!

On the dress, I used sleeves from "Indigo Child", which is more suitable to an 8 yr. old little girl. I used the pattern pieces from Gail Doane's book Cute As a Button. I love being able to interchange most pattern pieces in AS&E. It makes designing the perfect dress some much more fun.

The lady I gave dresses for each of her granddaughters was thrilled and that makes me very happy. She gave them the dresses on Father's Day. She said happy daughters would be her present to her son that day. I told her to let them wear the dresses whenever they wanted. I DON'T want the dresses to decorate the closet. Starting tomorrow, I have a 4 day weekend from work, yeah! So I will be doing lots of sewing. Mostly for me and my daughter, Rachelle. Since it is now summer weather, I just have to have some new work skirts and blouses. I really tired of wearing the same two skirts and blouses. I will post some new pics of me in my new togs :) Here's to a wonderful time of sewing and smocking to everyone. Happy stitching!

My Promise

Here's my new ironing board cover, isn't it fun?! I loved this print for over a year. It's available from Hancock Fabrics. I'm lovin' my new again ironing board cover. Yes, I'm pressing some cotton lace for the gown I was starting to work on for the Fair, which is now almost finished. It just needs buttons.
I've most finished another dress and I have to say that you're gonna love it. I made it for a very nice customer who had become a friend over the last year. She had two granddaughters age 8. I was happy to find out their age, since I've had a dress hanging in my closet of goodies for almost a year now. I couldn't just give only one dress. So I've stitched a pink dress and the one in the closet is purple. What princess could ask for more I tell you. Of course both have blingly crystals on them. I just wish I would be there in person to take a pic when gramma gives them their dresses. I just live for moments like those!
On another topic, I hope blogger gets the comment problems taken care soon. I have some blogs I follow but can't post comments on. It's frustrating. Okay, everyone, until next time. Keep smocking!

What's Up Next

Items for the Fair, of course! This is the time of the year I start into my projects for the state fair. This year they have new people in charge of the sewing category, so they've changed the category a little. They only have one thing open to smocking (boo-hiss). Well, I think I'm going to sneak some smocking into other things if it will be allowed. Like a party dress and the christening gown I'm currently working on.
A couple of mishaps on the gown. First, I stabbed my finger while stitching one of the bullions roses and got a couple drops of blood next to the back button band. That send me running to the bathroom and quickly rinsing that area under cold water. Then I grabbed Gramma's Secret Spot Remover (which I use on all stains now) and a few minutes later . . . . the blood was gone. Thank goodness, I would have cried if I couldn't get that out. Next thing to happen was a couple days ago some of the lace on the skirt tore and so I had to do a little repair work on that. I'm not sure how that will affect my chances at the fair, we'll just have to wait and find out.
Yesterday at work, one of the ladies who works in the fair office came in. We chatted for a few minutes. She asked if I had all my things finished, I said no I'm just getting started. She told me some people are not happy with the new ladies in charge and they think everything will be terrible. I said not neccessarily. I think they are just being negative. It will definitely bring a fresh perspective to the sewing category. I do have to say I think only having one smocking choice is a downer. But like I said, I'm going to try to sneak some smocking into some other things I don't submit in smocking.
Other things I'm sewn up in the past couple weeks are"
A new ironing board cover. (I'll post a pic next time, it's a pretty one)
New chair pad for the computer chair I'm sitting on right now. (It's not so pretty, just functional.)
Well, I'm off work today and tomorrow, yeah! I'm going cut out some jammies for my daughter and myself from some super soft cotton/lycra blend fabric I got from Hancock Fabrics for only $2.95. I just love the fabric and the price that I got everything left on the bolt, 5 2/3yds. Lots of pjs for Rachelle and I!
Happy sewing and smocking everyone!

I'm Still Here

Yes, it's been a very long time since I last posted. I have to apoligize for that. I really admire all you who are able to post everyday or at least every couple of days. Anyway, here's one of the dresses I worked on since last posting. Sorry the second pic is blurry, but it is now very much loved by an even busier mom who is co-owner to a mexican restaurant. That makes it all worthwhile doesn't it?!
Here's the info on the dress if anyone is interested in making one:
Fabric is from Hancock Fabrics (it's from a couple of years ago), and as soon as mom told me "Princess" loves green, I just knew I was going to use this very springy green cotton and this smock plate, which is Francesca by Pat Garretson Designs.
I did change it a little bit, which I'm sure Pat wouldn't mind at all. Instead of the roses in the smock plate I sewed in crystals and I wanted to add in the white glass sead beads.
I had taken the top pic before I did a final pressing on the skirt. I never give my garments away until it has that final pressing done. I don't think I could live with myself. I would definitely feel like I had not finished the garment.
Speaking of pressing and ironing, I always use Mary Ellen's Best Press. It's my favorite product in the world, I swear by this stuff! Needless to say, my iron gets a workout with each garment. From ironing a piece of cotton after taking it out of the dryer, to pressing each seam, to finally ironing the finished project. There are a few girls who have had posts about ironing and pressing in the past couple of days. I have to share a little tidbit with everyone. My mom has told me I am a better seamstress than she is. She sewed clothes for me and my 5 siblings growing up because she had to. But she didn't press seams as she went. I learned in junior high sewing class that you need to do that to have a nice looking garment when you are done.
The other items I've been working on are: "Wild At Heart" issue 90 AS&E and also "Journey" issue 94 AS&E (it's the one on the front cover, love it!).
I haven't had much time in the last couple weeks to post. I've been pleating items for 4 clients and had smocking lessons with 3 new students. They are doing fabulously well. One is going to be a gramma in July and is smocking the blessing dress, her very first project. This baby will be granddaughter #2. I'm excited to see how much fun she will continue to have learning to smock. She may even decide to purchase a pleater in the near future. I've told her to beware: smocking is addicting; as all you are well aware.
Bye for now and happy smocking everyone!

Sorry So Long Between Posts

Here's a pic of a couple of dresses I made a few months ago. Don't the girls look like they love the dresses? They look darling in them! I told their gramma I would post the pic to my blog.

A little over a week ago I wanted to try out my new embroidery machine and I have (had lots of fun already playing with my new toy). The reason I haven't posted for awhile is that same day I first used my new machine; I wanted to put my old machine down in it's cabinet. Well, the holder didn't hold the machine and it's one of those old machines that way a TON and are a bear to lift out of the cabinet. Since the holder didn't hold it landed on the floor and my foot was in the way. So I have lovely bruising (no broken bones though, a miracle I think). So my foot is now a beautiful rainbow of black, blue, purple, yellow, and red. This pic I just took a few minutes ago to share. And I've been running around at work with just a sock on for the past week. Fun, huh?! It's really strange, but the part that has no bruises is where it hurts and where I have bruising doensn't hurt much at all. I wish I could see what is going on inside my foot. Good thing my foot doesn't impair my smocking. I'd be rather unhappy with that turn of events. Anyway, happy stitching everyone!

Final Lesson on Bishop Tutorial

Here is the final lesson the bishop dress. At the end of this tutorial I have some fun news to share with all of you.

1. These two folds are along the back opening from then neck down. First I cut a 1" by the length of my bishop. Fuse with your iron, then you will have a guide to use in folding over a 1" area. Do this fold line twice on each side.

2. In this next step I have pinned the folds in place and I'm in the process of blind-stitching the buttonbands. You can do this same thing on your sewing machine if you don't want to hand-stitch. I just like the hand stitching better. This part of the blind-stitching is approx. 1/4" long.

3. The next part of your blind-stitching is to take a tiny stitch (usually just 1 or 2 threads. After completing both sides, you will be ready to move on to the neck bias.

4. For the neck bias of size newborn, cut on the true bias, 1 3/4" x 11 1/2". Fold and press with iron. Next is to either pin in place or my favorite, use WonderTape to stick bias in place before stitching. Remember to leave a hair over 1/4" in either end. Fold those ends over to the inside of your bishop. You should be able to machine stitch under your top holding row. After this stitching you can remove the top holding row thread. My seam was a 1/4 inch. When I was into quilting lots, this type of bias binding is called French Bias Binding.

5. Next, trim your seam down to just under a quarter inch. Also, grade your corners.

This is what the neck bias looks like on the wrong side. Since you already have a fold and no raw edge to fold under you can very easily stitch the next binding in place using a blind stitch.

6. Now we are ready to do french seams under the arms. First seam is stitched with wrong sides together. Next, trim seam to 1/8".

7. I then take and press the seam to one side. It makes easier for me.

8. Then fold the seams so you have the right sides together. Stitch 1/4". Congrats, you have completed a french seam. The raw edge is encased in a neat little seam.

This is what my neck edge looks like after stitching the fold down on the back. Normally I will put piping on, but I decided to do this bishop different this time. You can see where the WonderTape is sticking out. Since I'm going to do a final wash I'm not worried about it right now. It will wash out with the first washing. Now it's time for the hem. It's so easy you won't believe it!

7. Yes, I do need a new ironing board cover. One of these days I will remember to buy one. Anyway, fold up 3 1/2"and press with the iron. Then repeat. You will have two fold lines like with the back neck opening.

8. Next, stitch a line 5/8" from the bottom fold line.

Press the tuck down and the hem is almost complete. There will be an open area that just needs a little hand stitching. After this just add buttonholes and buttons. I usually put a snap at the top on the neck binding. If you want to try hand-bound buttonholes; go to the Old Fashioned Baby blog and Jeannie will show you how.

You are probably impatiently waiting for me to tell you what my fun news is all about. Last Tuesday I purchased a Janome Memory Craft 300e embroidery machine. I haven't yet used this machine. But I did take it out of the box and I watched the video. I'm hoping to actually sit down and play on my next day off. I'm now waiting to receive some accessories I ordered off ebay. I ordered a border collection card. I want to do lace on my machine instead of buying it all the time. Of course, nothing beats English and French laces. If figure I will have to do some trial and error at first. That's what happened when I taught myself to smock. In fact, the first project went into file 13. Just an example of why not to pick black fabric for your first smocking project :)
Okay, everyone, happy smocking and if you have any questions, please ask.

The Quilt that Jerri Built

This quilt top is one made by my good friend, Jerri. Remember me saying I went to visit her in Paducah, KY awhile ago. The pattern is from Harebrained Happenings and is so stinkin' cute! Jerri does the most fabulous work on her quilts, but I have to say this one ranks up there at the top of them. She brought the quilt in to work last night while I was having class and luckily I just happened to have my camera with me (one of the times I was actually using my brains.

Speaking of my Bishop class, I will be finshing up and posting sometime Sunday, probably in the evening. Our store had inventory yesterday, so I am still kind of tired and yes I did my class on top of that. One of the students in my class is having knee replacement surgery on the 15th. I emailed her later and asked if anyone is going to provide a meal for her and her husband. If not I would like to. She took me up on my offer. I'm thinking of making a veggie soup, home bisquits and asking my daughter if she would like to make a blueberry apple crisp. All of it is sooo yumm and soup is something most people like when not feeling good, which Ann won't be after surgery.
Until next time, happy stitching everyone!