17 June, 2010

One Stitch At A Time

These are my first, feeble, attempts at smocking on a sample piece. It will be a while before I am thrilled with the results, but I do love this pastime! OK, I'm no Polly Flinders but I'm going to keep working at it, practice time pays off. I've already committed to a bishop dress class and I've only learned these two stitches and two embellishments... so much more to learn, I can't wait!

Life is Good!


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19 comments:

Pat said...

Sooo pretty. Who can resist those delicate stitches and sweet colors? Don't be so hard on yourself. It's really only you who sees imperfections -- everyone else is just blown away by the fact that you're creating a classic heirloom. Think of the thrill when your granddaughter wears your creation for the first time!

Nane said...

Its very sweet

Nancy Near Philadelphia said...

Excellent progress!

Ancestor Collector said...

Ooooh, I love it!! I agree with Pat...you're way too hard on yourself. I think it looks beautiful. :-) And just remember, initially, your smocking will probably be covered up by a bib, or worse yet, spit-up! ;-) No one is going to notice if each tiny stitch isn't as perfect as you'd like.

Melanie said...

I'm completely envious... Great job!!! I think you are doing beautifully.... Wish I were taking the class. Grandbabies are darling in smocking....

cityquilter grace said...

ah, the good old days of sewing for DD; i too meandered in the world of smocking and made a few things, one of which was a plaid fall dress with smocking and a white collar. watch out, polly flinders! (do they even make them anymore?)

Rhonda said...

OMG....the looks great from here!!! What a wonderful pasttime!

Salem Stitcher said...

Looks wonderful to me! I can see lots of sweet little dresses in your future...maybe some little smocked overalls too?

AnnieO said...

So sweet! Looks very time consuming but worth the effort for the beauty it adds to a garment for someone wee!

Domestic Designer said...

Looks great to me!

LizA. said...

Mmmm, looks like you have a good handle on this. E-mail me if you you are interested in some more patterns etc. I have quite a few, even have a pleater around here somewhere. I don't know that I'll be doing much more smocking, you're welcome to them.

Miriam said...

I love to smock. I made lots of smocked dresses for my DD when she was young. I hope I have a grand daughter one day so I can make some more.
Your work is beautiful!

*karendianne. said...

Gosh this is so, so lovely and watching you do this makes me feel like I'm watching a treasure in the making. Oh friend, I'm happy happy happy. Love your talent.

Marie said...

Wonderful job on the smcking. I started about 20 years ago and haven'ttouched it in a long while but just found out we are going to have a great grandbaby in Dec. HOpe it is a girl-oh it doesn't matter they have the cutest little inserts for boys too. Congrats on the good news. Hugs, Marie

Quilting Memories said...

Good luck!

Barb said...

Beautiful smocking for your practice run...by golly I think you have it mastered!! Seriously that looks so sweet, just keep on going, if I remember the real secret is keeping the little pleats straight and then adding the tiny flowers...yours are looking beautiful to me! It will get easier with every beautiful little dress that you do :>)!!

Tanya said...

Looking good! I wanted to try to smock something when my daughter was born. She's 21 and still has never gotten anything smocked. Good for you!

Carrie P. said...

Catching up on your blog. Your little sample of smocking is looking good. Boy this heat has been something else. I am looking forward to some 80's.

Zlaty said...

I think your smocking is looking fabulous! I want to try that some day, too!