Finished!

It's finished!

It's different...
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I'm not loving how the three floss colors appear olive-y from a distance. But, I guess that's true of all smocking. The detail and color of the stitches can only be appreciated close-up. If I had it to do over, I would probably choose different floss colors. Though I don't know what they would be...

Though the fabric is not quite the quality of my first one, it came together a little better. Practice makes perfect, right? Every sewing project gets a little better I guess. There are even lovely french seams on the side. This actually made the side seam construction a little easier for a couple of reasons. One, the selvage is unattractively white and spans 1/2 inch. The seam allowance is only 1/4". Also, the bodice under the arm holes is at this point already finished, and is 1/4" shorter than the rest of the side fabric. (Yes, I read the instructions and let the bodice extend 1/4 " past the back skirt pieces, but that is on the side of the facing.) So it was very easy to take a 1/4 wide pass with wrong sides together along the sides of the skirt stopping at the bodice. Then I trimmed a bit and made a second pass with right sides together all the way up the skirt and the bodice, and it all matched up perfectly. And the selvage was hidden. There is plenty of fabric to increase the total side seam allowance to 1/2 inch. None of that probably makes sense without pictures. I'll get better at this blogging thing too, with more practice ! :-D

Smocking Done!

Smocking is Done! I hope I can finish construction of this Mary De this weekend. I keep going back and forth about how I like it. I really like this Flamingo Smocking plate, but this might not have been the best fabric for it. And the thread colors are perfect, but I worry they are a little drab for a baby dress. We'll see what the finished product brings.

Baby Needs A New Pair of Shoes

Audrey's Dress is on its 5th green floss. I like it better, and will post pictures when I'm finished smocking. The reworked green is straighter this time too, and that makes me happy.

In the meantime, I'm showing you what will surely be a rival to Little Dresses: Little Shoes. This pattern from Stardust Shoes is so cute I can't even stand it. Sadie will surely have many pairs. Especially since every little garment has just the right-sized little scraps left over. For the soles, I used the dotted grippy fabric from JoAnns because I can't find the bonded fleece. Maybe in the fall. I may even use suede next time.

Some smocking done

Okay, here is some smocking on Audrey's Dress. Childrens Corner Flamingo smocking plate. This is my 4th green floss, and I'm still trying to decide if I like it. It is a tad yellow, but the others faded right into the fabric.

Little Dress 2

This will be Little Dress 2. Also a Mary De, but it will hang in Audrey's closet, a very special cousin-to-be. The pattern pieces are cut and smocking has begun. I'll post a picture soon.

These light and dark aqua/teal colors are actually the colors of her nursery. Hopefully she will like the trendy circle fabric!