Smocking and Blocking

Wow! I have so much to tell you I'm not sure if I can type fast enough to keep up with my spinning mind. I'm so proud of the progress Mom and I have made on A-'s dresses. But first I should apologize that my site has been down. I got behind on my emails and missed Brinkster's notification about my billing. But that is all fixed now and I'm back, although still a bit broken. Someday I'll clean house here on my blog but I'm too interested in making progress on my sewing and telling everyone about it to go fix things.

I've spent all morning "blocking" two garments that Mom and I have been working on. She's done the smocking and I've been doing the garment construction. Blocking is the process where you pin the smocked area to a padded board so that it fits the required area on the pattern or blocking guide. Then you wet the fabric or steam it and let it dry. Here's a picture of a long sleeve bishop gown that I blocked this morning.

We found the pattern, called Guardian Angel, in Australian Smocking & Embroidery magazine, issue 68. Here's their picture of the finished gown.

I also blocked the front of another garment from their 70th issue called Tickled Pink.
Mom did the smocking and embroidery. The outfit has a pair of pants to go with it and I've already finished those.

I did the embroidery on the bottom of the legs and I made the lace netting.

I created the lace netting using the decorative stitches that came with my sewing machine. I used a cotton netting as the base and Sulky Ultra Solvy as a stabilizer. The stabilizer just dissolves under water. The pattern called for 2 inch wide netting. I didn't realize that I would have to cut it down to an inch and 3/4's until after I had made the lace so I ended up adding another row of scallops in the middle and cutting it in the middle.

Since I've gotten caught up with making these dresses my cutting table is buried. If you look closely you can find a quilt waiting for me to finish cutting it on the back of the table ... It's the Poker RoadTrip. So I have to finish these dresses in order to get to it. :>

Well I think I managed to brag about everything. It's a good thing too because A- is hungry and I have to go feed her. Oh and I so wanted to tell you about M-'s potty training progress and the decorating of his big boy room. Well that isn't really quilt related but maybe I'll get to it later. :>

Here are A- and M- watching TV together.

Now I really must go! Bye!

Comments

[Dalyna]

I don't know anything about quilting, but I do know a little something about Christian fiction. I don't want to presume that you don't already know these authors, but I don't want you to miss out if you haven't. Along with Dee Henderson I reccomend Terri Blackstock and Lori Wick. :)

[joyfulmum]

Enjoyed browsing your blogs! I am a dedicated hand piecer and quilter SAHM, too. I was able to find a lap hoop that I am very satisfied with - the Gruber Lap Hoop from Gruber's Quilt Shop. If you buy three or more, they drastically reduce the price, too. One is around $70, Three drop down to $40.

[KareyABohr@yahoo.com]

I saw your smocking and I am UBER jealous! I don't have anyone in my family who can sew and I am completly self taught. Any hints you can give for that crisp, tight, accordian look would be appreciated! I have read about ten articles and still can't seem to figure it out!