Has a bit of a peasant/Mexican look, doesn't it? This was such fun to make and I think took care of the smocking fix that needed attention. The fabric is 100% handkerchief linen, probably my all time favorite fabric. I don't think you could make this stuff look bad if you tried. Even once its all wrinkled it still has the "look." This is the same Joan Hinds pattern that I used for the microcheck bishop of a few weeks back. It is also the same smocking design. I used bright colors of floss, something I have wanted to try on white linen for a long time. Neither of my DGDs needed such a dress so the dolly got it.
**********************************************************************
I have my "Funky Pants" altered and ready for a muslin cutting. These are either going to darling or an absolute horrid fashion blunder. I know I am short. The pants, Burda Style 7535, have a dart that should be about midcalf. On me, it was at my knee level so that needed to be lowered. I cut the dart box out and moved it downward. But now I had to angle back in to the original hemline and that may not look right. This will be fun to work through and could just get chalked up to a learning experience, one that teaches, "oh, no, you can't wear those funky things." Time will tell. Tomorrow I should be able to get that muslin together.
***********************************************************************
What a delicious little dress- it seems too good for a doll! Your hem technique has really caught my attention. So you used the "channelling" that I get from a twin needle and don't want, to create that cute effect. What a good idea! If you made a hem like this on a little girl's dress that would be washed, do you think the hem would be OK if you just cut it close like you have done? Or do you think in this case it would unravel with washing? Just curious, feeling very inspired :-)
ReplyDeleteI have done hems with this look before but using traditional Madeira Applique technique. This was twin needled. The tighter tension helps it "tunnel" which is a good thing here. Many is the time I have see Martha Pullen just cut back to the stitching line on the back and call it a day. This is the first time I have tried it. I personally would think it would be ok hand washed. I am not sure this would take the beating of the washing machine. Perhaps someone reading this who has tried this technique can let us know. I know there are quite a few followers who are experienced heirloom stitchers so hopefully one will chime in.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely, lovely dress. One of these years I will have to try my had at smocking. Missed the chance when my daughter was little, so perhaps when the daughter has a daughter...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dress...tempts me to learn.
ReplyDeleteThe butterfly looks like a mourning cloak. They are usually the first ones we see here in northeren Illinois.
I love it, I love it, I love it. My future granddaughters will wear dresses just like this. Hopefully made by me.
ReplyDeleteI'm in awe of your work. How absolutely beautiful. I hope to have grandbabies to make beautiful things for - someday several years from now. ;)
ReplyDeleteAndrea
satinbirddesigns.blogspot.com
What a sweet little dress. Tedious working on such a small scale? You are so tiny that you can wear those funky pants and look terrific in them.
ReplyDeleteToo cute! It must be fun to be creative in a small scale without having to tackle a larger project.
ReplyDeleteToo incredibly darling and beautifully executed! Bravo!
ReplyDelete