Sewing Vloggers

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

A Whimsical "Emilee" from AS&E #74 Finished!


I am really pleased with this little dress and its whimsical nature. The base fashion fabric was so sweet but almost too baby-ish for my assertive little three year old woman, Carley. The bubble fabric was a perfect match. The colors of the bubbles would be perfect for the smocking and the darker fabric would make a nice accent with the piping.




The back has criss-cross straps that are connected inside the back waistband with buttons. There are buttonholes in the straps. I made sure I used a smooth rounded button so it wouldn't irritate Carley's skin. The back waistband is a casement that holds a one inch elastic that is free floating in the casing but ditch stitched into the side seams.
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This is one of my favorite hem treatments for a child's dress. The hem band is stitched with the right side of the band facing the wrong side of the skirt. It is then turned to the right side, pressed, and machine stitched along the top. An edge stitching foot helps get a crisp top stitching here.  It gives a really nice clean finish on the inside and outside and the extra weight of the band helps the skirt hang nicely.

The floss is DMC and echos the colors in the bubble fabric. The flowers are free form, following the wispy looking flowers in the lighter colored fabric. I centered them and just sort of let them flow from my needles. 

  • The pattern is "Emilee" from Australian Smocking and Embroidery, issue 74. The only change I did from the original is the addition of the hem band and my own smocking design for the flowers. 
  • The fabric is 100% cotton from I don't know where. Fusible interfacing was used in the bodice and the straps. I used a woven.
I can't wait to see Carley in this. With her platinum blond hair and blue eyes it should be darling. Her mom likes long dresses on her which she wears nearly every day. In this weather they are usually big floral knits with bright leggings. I know Mom will be glad to put this on her. Isn't it a blessing to sew for those who truly appreciate it? I am certainly blessed...Bunny



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17 comments:

  1. NancyDaQMarch 2, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    What a cute dress! She'll love it!

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  2. LoriMarch 2, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    Very pretty dress.

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  3. BelindaMarch 2, 2011 at 4:32 PM

    Adorable Bunny!

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  4. maris olsenMarch 2, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    Too sweet! I hope I have a grandbaby (girl please!) soon so I can make more smocked dresses!

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  5. bubbygigiMarch 2, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    Bunny, I love this sun dress. The smocking is beautiful and the boullion knots are fantastic. I'm sure that your granddaughter will feel like a princess in this dress.
    Gita/Bubbygigi

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  6. ConnieMarch 2, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    So cute! Wonderful!

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  7. JoanMarch 2, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    One of your many talents, besides the sewing itself, is the ability to combine fabrics beautifully. I always love to see what you put together for your grandchildren.

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  8. shamsMarch 2, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    Wow, so cute! What a special dress for a special girl!!!

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  9. RebeccaMarch 2, 2011 at 9:32 PM

    precious! Your smocking is always amazing.

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  10. BarbaraGMarch 2, 2011 at 10:33 PM

    Charming! I want to make one for my granddaughter too!

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  11. Maria (viola33)March 3, 2011 at 5:28 AM

    The dress is beautiful. The embroidery is do delicate, amazing work.

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  12. KarinMarch 3, 2011 at 5:39 AM

    Oh Bunny! It really is a work of art! Your granddaughter is very lucky, indeed.

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  13. gwensewsMarch 3, 2011 at 7:27 AM

    Beautiful little dress. Your smocking is wonderful. Lots of bullion stitches!

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  14. SummersetMarch 3, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    That is super cute! The bubble fabric is perfect, and that hem style is one that I used a lot when I made my daughter those style dresses when she was younger. It was so easy and the contrast band was a nice look and bonus when I was a little short on skirt fabric/length.

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  15. ShannonMarch 3, 2011 at 9:21 AM

    This is beautiful! The smocking is perfect and the fabrics/colors are just gorgeous. It makes me want to go smock something right now!

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  16. CissieMarch 3, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    You must be feeling much better, Bunny, based on the lightning speed with which you finished this darling dress.

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  17. GoosegirlMarch 5, 2011 at 2:18 PM

    Oh Bunny, I adore this little dress. I keep wanting to make this style and you have done an amazing job on it!
    The colors are so soothing and beautiful. I just love it.

    ReplyDelete

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