More Designs!

In my last post, I showed some of the designs I've produced from Country Bumpkin's Australian Smocking and Embroidery patterns. Those designs will (hopefully!) one day be worn by my future grandchildren. :-)

I'd also like to show you some designs that I've produced that *are* for sale. I smock all the time, so I usually have many projects on the go. If you see something you like but the size is wrong, just let me know -- I might already be working on the size you're looking for.

I LOVE to shop for new fabrics -- I have a great stash! There is such a great selection available in the stores now, in such beautiful colors. My stash is mostly made up of small-print quilt fabrics in gorgeous colors, although I also have a good selection of solid broadcloth. I usually start a new project by deciding upon the size I want to make; then I choose an appropriate fabric and corresponding embroidery floss (I only use DMC); then I decide upon the style of outfit. After the size, fabric, and style of outfit have been determined, I cut out the pattern pieces and pleat the fabric. Most often, I begin smocking without a definitive smocking pattern in mind. I usually smock the anchor rows (the top and bottom rows), and then see where the fabric design takes me. This way, I very rarely reproduce the same pattern more than once.

Meara is wearing a little blue sundress (size 3); the dress pattern is "Amy", from Children's Corner. (Isn't she adorable?!) This pattern is easy to construct, and looks adorable on every little girl. I love the fullness of the skirt -- perfect for little girls who love to 'twirl'! The pattern includes a long- or short-sleeved blouse that can be worn under the dress. I always make the blouse with coordinated piping on the sleeves and collar.

The close-up of the smocking shows the pattern. I used three coordinating colors of embroidery floss, and played with the pattern until I was happy with how I used the colors.

I liked the fabric so much, I bought the companion in a lovely shade of green!


Here is Meara again, this time wearing the Children's Corner dress in green with the coordinating short-sleeved blouse (also size 3). You can see how I added the coordinating piping on the sleeves and collar. The construction of the blouse is a bit time-consuming, but worth the effort. I've never yet made this pattern with the long-sleeved blouse.

I had fun working out this smocking pattern, adding little diamonds to fill in the "V"s in the pattern. This pattern is smocked with only two colors of floss.

Alexia is wearing a traditional yoke-style Grace Knott dress (size 3). The fabric is a lovely floral pattern with fall colors. I loved the fabric but struggled a bit during the smocking, because the fabric isn't really very 'girly'. No matter... I love the result!

I used three colors of floss in the smocking to highlight the colors in the fabric. To provide a bit of contrast, I piped the sleeves and collar with white cotton.

These dresses, and others, are shown on my Wee Wear Smocking Web site: http://www.weewearsmocking.com/.

Gotta run -- I need to get back to work! :-)
Christina