Here's a closeup of the front:
And here's a closeup of the sleeve:
The colors are a lot truer in the closeup photos. I used the Ellen McCarn Ultimate Bishop pattern in size 2. The smocking plate is English Rose from the AS&E book Beautiful Bishops. I added about four extra rows to fill the design out a bit. I also added two extra rows to the sleeve smocking. I substituted cable flowerettes for the bullion buds around the edge of the smocking. They go a lot faster, and I was ready to get this little dress done. I decided not to embroider the sleeves, because I didn't want to interfere with the elasticity of the smocking.
I'm very pleased with this little dress. It turned out just like I envisioned it. Now all I have to do is fold it up in some tissue paper and put it in a box to send to my precious little niece in Georgia.
Then, it's on to this dress:
This little bishop is for a family friend. The poodles may look familiar. I used one poodle from this plate on T2. I've got the poodles almost done- they just need mouths, noses, bows, and of course, all those french knots to "fluff" them up. My top border is done, and I'm still considering how to smock the lower border. It needs more elasticity than the top one. There's going to be a lot of backsmocking on this one, too. I think when it's finally done it will be really cute.
Wow! I have a lot of work to do. This little dress is far from finished. I also have a blouse to work on for myself. I made a muslin of McCalls 5522 which turned out quite nice and now I need to make the real blouse. I'm just not feeling very motivated to sew this weekend. I may be able to get some smocking done. And I've spent some time playing with stash fabrics and "planning" projects, but I'm just not up to cutting or sewing right now. I'm kinda tired, and I'm thinking maybe I shouldn't try to push it. I start to make mistakes when I force myself to work on things that I'm not really in the mood for. I really don't need a sewing disaster this weekend, so I think I'll just take it easy. Maybe some planning and organizing will help me get motivated again.
6 comments:
Wow. Absolutely wow.
You rock!
This is beautiful Shannon! Wow. The puffy little sleeves are SO perfect.
Aww. Y'all are so nice. Those puffy little sleeves are stuffed with tissue paper to make them look right for the photo. The pics would have looked much better if I had taken them outside in natural light, but it was so windy this weekend, I just couldn't do it. Maybe next time.
Shannon F
Shannon....the dress is gorgeous!! I'm still trying to figure out how you smock and finish dresses so quickly!! As always, your work is stunning!
Beautiful!
I've used that Ellen McCarn dress pattern so many times. Doesn't it make the perfect baby gift?!
Thanks, y'all. The Ellen McCarn pattern is my favorite bishop pattern. I love the fullness. It makes a great baby dress and it's great for bigger girls, too. And the instruction book is so thorough.
Shannon F
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