Friday, February 29, 2008

Black Ready to Smock 24 month top/short dress


Here is another one of the same pattern (already sold) -- buttons down the back and I am definitely going to use this idea for my older daughter -- I am going to take a black top and smock it in hot pink in some sort of geometric pattern and then use this polka dot fabric you see here to make capris, ooh I could put little grosgrain ribbons on the ankle area of the capris -- My little wheels are turning...won't that be cute for the spring & summer!?!

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Two Ready to Smock 24 month tops


These two ready to smock tops are made from white broadcloth and are for my fellow smocking addict in Louisiana -- I hope she doesn't mind me calling her that -- she wants them to hit about "mid bootie" to show off bloomers underneath -- I can totally see that they are going to be beautiful after they are smocked...I think these are for her twin nieces, but I am not sure. I love this pattern -- if anyone wants any of these I'll charge $20 (plus shipping) and I have size newborn through 24 month They have buttons down the back.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Toile Sundress Size 6 Finished


They can't all be your favorite right? I absolutely LOVE this sundress pattern, but I really think the smocking needed to be a little more complicated, I am hoping that the area in the middle that isn't smocked will become an area of "rouching" after laundering it. That was my goal, but right now when I look at it, it just looks like I forgot to smock that area...maybe I can still fill it in with more waves? Any suggestions out there to save this one?

Well, it was the first time for this pattern and I will definitely be making more of them, my daughter loves it. The back and front are identical on the entire dress...if you get a stain on the front, you can just turn it around I guess...She is going to feel beautiful in this one.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Ready to Smock Toile Sundress


I have this one ready to smock for my own daughter -- it looks big (maybe even too big) even though it is a size 6 and she usually wears an off-the-rack 7

When I smock it I'll have her try it on and I'll see how this pattern works out on sizing and maybe I'd be willing to make these ready-to-smock in either a shirt length or a dress length.

Yellow Floral Dress


My oldest daughter's favorite color is yellow, and doesn't this one fit the bill?! I haven't made them hats in ages, but we are going to try these and see if they will wear them for at least long enough for me to justify making them. I can't wait for the warm weather to come back so we can wear them.

The Doll Dresses to Match


The yellow one fits my daughter's American Girl doll, but she wasn't available for photography -- she was cuddled up in her arms sound asleep! The Strawberry shortcake one really is for "Mirabelle" the doll, but soft baby had to stand in for the same reason...zzzzzzz

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Strawberry Shortcake Dress & Hat



This is a new spring sun dress for my 4 year old -- it is a New Look Pattern # 6579 Size 5 -- not the easiest pattern for beginners with the flounce & rounded neck area -- but what an impressive result - the bottom flounce twirls so nicely, and the pleats on the skirt are a nice change from all the gathered skirts on most patterns. The hat was also from this pattern. My tip on this one is to mark every dot and dart on the pattern & watch your seam allowances closely if you try it!

She is so excited about picking this fabric -- I am pretty sure there will be a dolly dress to follow, but I haven't cut that out yet. Now I am working on the big sister version out of the fabric she chose

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Two Blue Ready to Smock Tops


These two tops are from a new pattern that my fellow smocking addict down in Louisiana let me borrow. The blue check one is size 18 mos and the solid one is size 24 month (largest size in the pattern). They are meant to be worn with bloomers. This pattern pretty much uses the entire width of the 45 inch wide fabric on the front of this top so it is very full and has a pretty look to it. I am liking the idea of making smocked tops instead of only making smocked dresses -- you can wear them with different bottoms to really change the look! These both are lined with the same fabric as the top, and they both have button closures all the way down the back. Didn't they turn out really pretty?

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Ebay

I did it, I finally got an hour to myself so that I could list all those ready to smock dresses on Ebay -- I put them all for only $14 each so maybe they'll spark some interest. If you want to see how they do -- check them out -- my ebay id is johnbass72

I will have some more stuff to show off in a couple of days -- I got two new things cut out last night -- maybe I'll get one assembled tonight

Friday, February 15, 2008

Toile Sundress/shirt


Pattern calls this a sundress, but I think it looks like a nice long top. Size 2T ready to smock *Looks bigger to me* I think I'd wear this myself in an adult size! Can't wait to make one of these for my girls. It looks exactly the same on the front and back - this is a great "ready to smock" pattern as it is not lined behind the smocked area. The toile is so classy!

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Toile and Corduroy Ready -to-Smock Bishops



I like both of these bishops...The brown one is that very thin corduroy that you smock on -- How trendy with those aqua blue spots! This is a banded sleeve bishop in a size 2T.

The blue/white toile is gorgeous, isn't it? It has little children playing in the pattern. It is an angel sleeved bishop in size 2T also.

Both of these are already spoken for -- I can't wait to see how they look after they are smocked!

Monday, February 11, 2008

Pink Polka dot Mary De Jumpers


These turned out really cute. Size 7 and Size 1 Mary De Jumpers for sister dresses for a lady I make ready to smock clothing for. I think the girls are going to be so cute -- You can't really see in the photo, but the polka dots are actually velvety -- nice texture. I had a hard time pleating this fabric for some reason, but I ended up layering waxed paper over the entire pleated area and then it just slid right through my pleater.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Thanks Madison -- Barbie Skirts


I had to shorten the Madison's ALine Dress by 4 inches after she tried it on-- -- and couldn't bring myself to throw away the bottom 3 inches of that dress because that trim was too cute -- Today, my youngest (crafter in training) saw the strip I had cut off and asked me to make a barbie skirt out of it -- I made 4 -- She wears one as a "boob tube" and the other as a skirt to make a "layer dress" she named it -- so both of my daughters got a new outfit for a barbie -- aren't they stylin? All I did was fold down the top of the "skirt" and then stretch a piece of 1/4 inch elastic as far as it would streach and sew directly to the top to create a waist and then measure it on Barbie's waist and stitch the back seam...took about 5 min...they are pleased.

Friday, February 8, 2008

Free Pattern Baby Doll Bib


Just made this one up this morning at request of my 3 year old -- she said her babydolls needed new bibs so mommy obliged!

Just cut two, sew together (1/4 inch seam) right sides facing, leaving a hole for turning, clip curves...then turn right side out, press and sew the opening shut -- you can topstitch or leave it plain

These two are the bibs I made while working out this little pattern...She LOVES the ballerina one with the lace -- my little "Fancy Nancy"

Birthday Girl's Doll Dress



I finished up a doll dress for my littlest daughter. Her birthday is in a week and she is modeling her fancy dress for her party a couple of posts down, so I pieced this little doll dress together with what was left of the fabric from that dress to suprise her that day. She really loves her babies and is going to love matching...(so am I)

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Molly, American Girl Doll, New Dress


This morning, before breakfast I decided to make our doll, Molly, a new dress...This is what I came up with -- just found some scraps and started cutting -- no pattern, no measuring...I think my daughter will flip out when she gets home from school today and sees her pride and joy in this "ensemble"

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Grocery Cart Cover -- Polka Dots















This is a grocery cart cover that I made -- $25 -- for the cover and the tote for it. The all blue one on the Walmart cart above is just to show you what it looks like on a real cart. I made that one a long time ago.

Isn't that polka dot fabric a hoot?!?

All exposed seams are serged on the cart cover and the seat area has a layer of batting inside it for cushioning. It has two large buttonholes along the baby's back so you can pull the shopping cart seatbelt in to really secure your child. I don;t know first hand, but I'm told it even fits the sam's carts and restaraunt high chairs too! Let me know if you want it!

Monday, February 4, 2008

My Daughter's Birthday dress


My 3 year old wants a dressy birthday and this is the pattern, fabric and embellishments that she has chosen -- she wants to be a bride...I still have a little bit of lace & Pearls to put on it, but what a nice dress she picked out! I think it turned out perfect! It has three layers, top dress, netting and a lining -- she is so excited.

Clemson Purse up for Grabs

If anyone wants one of the Clemson Purses I posted a while back, I have one available that I can put your own name on one side and the tiger paw will be on the other side -- just let me know -- $20