Sewing Vloggers

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

The smocking has begun!

 The smocking has begun on the little dress for my BFF's new baby grandaughter. It will be a little summer frock using McCalls 6015 as a base.
It will have the little cap sleeves  and a smocked insert across the front. I will change the zipper (horrors) to a button placket first because it will be more comfortable for the baby with flat buttons and they just look so much better on a tiny garment. Zippers look awful on little baby dresses, IMO.

It feels really good to have a hand project going. I am trying to decide on something simple for machine work. I need to get over all the intense coat sewing before starting the jeans project. So a top or two may be just the thing. We shall see!
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In our nearby little Joanns, they just clearanced a ton of jacket zips and others for the second time. I got satin zips, houndstooth, polka dot and lots of jacket zips for 97 cents each. I think those satin zips could make and awesome jacket pocket. So head on down and stock up. The price is great. NAYY, just want you to know a good deal is happening and I wanted to share. 
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These are my new treasures. I used to do oil painting years ago. Later I did a lot of painting on fabric.Lately oils just seemed to be popping up in front of me on line, while shopping, etc. I caved and followed my instinct and purchased a set of 12 Shiva Paint sticks, the irridescent line. These are really gorgeous on fabric. But I have this pocketbook I picked up at a flea market and am thinking they might be fun to play with on my two dollar bag. Keep you posted on this project. Here's the bag, not too bad looking and really all it could use would be a new lining. 
But this bag, when I pulled it out, had a little visitor hitching a ride to Bunny's house.

Needless to say, the ladybug was placed outside and the bag was scrubbed. Hopefully I will get a
 day soon when those paint sticks will get used.. 

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Thanks to all of you, dear readers, for the lovely comments on the cashmere coat project.  I don't know about you, but this blogosphere thing and of it's wonderful sewing followers really warm my heart. You encourage me so. Thanks again, for giving me access to your inspiration and making me a better sewist. Most of all, thanks for letting me share......Bunny

9 comments:

  1. Smocking boggles the mind! I was so glad to scroll down and see that it was a LADYBUG...whew! I think we get as much enjoyment out of your blogging as you do...really.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Are you familiar with the sassy feet blog, glittersweatshop.typepad.com? It's all about painting shoes and handbags. The authors are very generous about sharing knowledge with excellent tutorials. Also, quite inspiring.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will definitely check it out, Lei. Thanks for the address.

      Delete
  3. Darling Bunny,

    As always, I am late to pop in and say .................wow absolutely divine, the coat and of course, darling friend you are divine too!!!!!!!!

    You are such an inspiration to us all and I still have my beautiful red cashmere/mohair/wool fabric ready for me, when I am brave enough to make a coat with it!! Any fab tips for pre-shrinking this gorgeous fabric...............just lots of steam pressing??

    Oh, how seeing a smocking pleater has made me realize that I am starting to miss it. I adored being a contributor to AS&E magazine. I have some stunning embroidered tulle from Joel and Son in London which I want to use with some silk dupion to make an heirloom christening gown for when/if either of my girls tie the knot and have a little one. No pressure girls!! Yes, this year my eldest will be 30 ( where did the years go??) and my youngest, obviously too young to be married and with child.........18 next month. So, my wait goes on, but the stash will grow wont it.LOL. Well, this English lady has picked up the lovely American way and am building up a Grandma's Hope Chest!!
    As you say Bunny, don't we sewists learn so much from each other, and not just about sewing.

    Much love to you and darling Ern..............xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marysia, I decided to just do a heavy steaming. Cashmere is a delicate wool and I was not comfortable with running it through the dryer with damp towels as many do. I also had too much invested financially to risk a faux pas. I hope you get going on your red cashmere coat soon but am assuming it is time to think spring and move on. Maybe next year?

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    2. Thanks for that, I too thought steaming would be the only way to go. Did you hear about my upset with my beautiful Linton Tweed? I read that so many people love the throw your fabric in the dryer with a damp towel. Totally wrecked my prized fabric, so I won't do that again!!

      You are right about the time of year regarding making my coat, but have you noticed how slow I am?lol.

      Have you ever tried the throw it in the dryer and did it work for you??

      Delete
  4. Darling Bunny,

    As always, I am late to pop in and say .................wow absolutely divine, the coat and of course, darling friend you are divine too!!!!!!!!

    You are such an inspiration to us all and I still have my beautiful red cashmere/mohair/wool fabric ready for me, when I am brave enough to make a coat with it!! Any fab tips for pre-shrinking this gorgeous fabric...............just lots of steam pressing??

    Oh, how seeing a smocking pleater has made me realize that I am starting to miss it. I adored being a contributor to AS&E magazine. I have some stunning embroidered tulle from Joel and Son in London which I want to use with some silk dupion to make an heirloom christening gown for when/if either of my girls tie the knot and have a little one. No pressure girls!! Yes, this year my eldest will be 30 ( where did the years go??) and my youngest, obviously too young to be married and with child.........18 next month. So, my wait goes on, but the stash will grow wont it.LOL. Well, this English lady has picked up the lovely American way and am building up a Grandma's Hope Chest!!
    As you say Bunny, don't we sewists learn so much from each other, and not just about sewing.

    Much love to you and darling Ern..............xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. I just purchased the McCalls pattern, I will be watching with interest how you add the smocking.

    ReplyDelete

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