Well, here we are at the end of May, and I’ve finally finished a little project I was hoping to have finished by the middle of April. Completing projects that have handwork is easy enough, but I really struggle to get time on my sewing machine. Now that MeMum lives with us, she wants me to be with her all the time, and my sewing machine is in the basement and she is upstairs in the living room. I need two of me. Anyway, I made little smocked dresses for our little cherubs. (Please note my fancy new clothes hanger — it’s a trampoline for 2-yr olds LOL.)
I used the Lee pattern again — I seem to always go back to it, because, why mess with a good thing. The pattern only has a traditional Peter Pan collar, so I altered it a little and added the little ruffles around the necks.
For fabric, I used the Danjo Libery Tana Lawn print in pink . It’s a classic print and I love it. I also used the Spechler Vogel little pink check that I have in my etsy shop for a few of the contrasting pieces. I struggled with what to do for the smocking and had pretty much decided to just make something up, but the day before I started smocking, the summer 2019 issue of Classic Sewing (featuring a dress with this smocking pattern) arrived on my doorstep. Perfect timing!
The smocking is pretty subtle and that’s the way I wanted it. The star of this show is the beautiful Liberty fabric! Little details are also fun — I haven’t used a hook and eye in a long time.
Grammy lucked out this time and those little dresses both fit. Here are our little dolls in their new dresses. It’s really hard to get a picture of two little girls both smiling and looking at the camera. Maybe next time LOL.
Have a great week — unbelievably, summer is upon us!
XOXO,
Anna
I also had a business to keep on top of when looking after my Mom. Both my Mom and Dad found it very entertaining to see what projects were next, so I did much of my work on the dining room table, in the middle of everything, with my little Janome Jem Platinum! Mom was especially pleased when our errands took us to a local quilt shop. One of the other customers was having trouble finding just the right combination of fabrics, and Mom, with her impeccable fashion sense, was able to offer an opinion and help select the fabrics!
Oh, I’m so jealous! Those dresses are gorgeous! If I were to make something like that for my granddaughter, my daughter would accuse me of wanting to dress her like we live in the 1800s…I can’t make or buy anything too girly. I swear she would dress her in all boy’s clothes with nary a frill or ruffle to be found! I’m glad you found time to finish these beautiful dresses for your beautiful girls! Enjoy your time with MeMum while you have her!
wonderful cute dresses – I’m sure it is hard with your mom but hope everything keeps going well and hope you have someone to give you a break now and then as I’m sure you need a little time away too
So lovely! Your little people are very cute indeed and your dresses are beautiful.
I’m surprised that you have time for sewing at all with all you’ve got on your plate! I on the other hand have so much time on my hands and what do I achieve? Not much!!! Note to self: MUST do bette!!! Those dresses are just gorgeous as are the little girls.
Oh My Gosh – they are the cutest!! those dresses are adorable in each and every detail.
I think I mentioned, I did some smocking years ago and made my niece a little dress.
xo
They’re adorable …and so are the dresses??. I love that Liberty print and infect , I have some in my stash that I bought in London at Liberty. I just need a grand baby who will wear smocking now?? Erin’s having a boy so not much to smock there. Hoping for a Southern Belle baby next time. Come visit!!! I miss you.
And…there were not supposed to be question marks, they were !!! And I forgot to mention how much I love your beautiful bouillon flowers.
Incredibly cute! Congratulations on your growing family and I am so happy they are near you so you can enjoy. As always, you are inspiring. Hugss
Such beautiful handiwork and those two babies are just gorgeous x
i can’t decide which is sweeter, the babies or the dresses … wait … yes, i can … the babies, for sure…
and give Auntie MeMum a hug from me, please
The girls look so adorable in your sweet dresses. Big sigh. I love their smiles and the fabric is gorgeous.
Amalia
xo
Such beautiful girls and lovely dresses! I never have smoke and not done much garment sewing for these girls. My sil does and they have a closet full of cute handmade things as well as the quilts Nana makes so all is good.
Hi Anna,
I finally checked back in on your blog and I’m so excited for you to have three babies near you. Oh what fun you’ll have! Beautiful dresses….you’re such a good seamstress ???
Amy
okay i just saw these again and idk how to do smocking but these are so beautiful! and i love the piping. you still amaze me, after all these years! lol