Sunday, January 3, 2010

Sweet pink and 200 posts!


I can't believe that I have run my mouth 200 posts worth! Well some people could probably believe it. It is no secret that I have a wealth of opinions. Well worded or timed could be argued, but a wealth of them none the less. 

And in starting the new year right, another project finished. It is a shame, it has been smocked and sewn for a few weeks, all it lacked was buttons, buttonholes and a hem. I hate finish work almost as much as I hate prep work. I want to do the fun part.


This little bishop is from a kit featured in Australian Smocking & Embroidery Issue #68. It is made from a poly/cotton winter twill. Originally it was meant to be long sleeved; I will admit I am not a fan of long sleeved bishops. I don't know why, just not. I have used this fabric before here. I love this fabric. It feels like a lightweight flannel because of the brushed nature of the fabric. The only thing I don't like about the fabric is it is hard to hem without showing, so this time I did a tucked hem, it doesn't show that way.


Since it was a kit, the bishop was already preconstructed and pleated.This presented a problem with the sleeve seams. I wasn't going to take the pleating out and start over to achieve seamless pleating. So I improvised. I have said before, "I don't care how you get to Cleveland as long as you get there." When I was smocking it, I jumped the seams with my smocking as much as possible. You see a bit of a "dimple" at the seams, but I prefer that over a lump at the seams. The smocking design is a compilation of several designs. I decided I didn't feel in the mood for the design featured in the magazine for this kit, so I used a combination of Mother of Pearl in AS&E #29 and my own thing  and then added a few cast on flowers from Gail Doane's Sew Cute Couture.


This was also the first time I had ever piped a bishop neckline. I love it. Cheryl over at Time-Really-Does-Fly, pipes her bishops all the time and I love the look of them. The kit came with the pink satin piping. I conquered my fear and went for it. I love it. 


I think it came out pretty cute. This is for a gift. So the combo of the poly cotton fabric and elasticized sleeves should make it pretty easy care for a new mommy.

I hope you have had time to stitch a bit.

12 comments:

  1. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Great cast-on posies, and I, too, love the piping at the neck binding -- don't know if I've ever done it, but one of these days . . .

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  2. Precious little bishop. I love the piping at the neck I find it makes it easier to do the neck binding.

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  3. Thanks girls. And Dawn you are right, I found it easier as well. Maybe not easier to apply, thought it wasn't hard, but easier to get a nice even seam above my smocking.

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  4. Lovely bishop dress! How kind of you to make such a beautiful gift. I have yet to try seamless smocking or the cast on flowers but I believe that I will add them to my 2010 'to do' list.

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  5. Another beautiful dress, Martha! :)

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  6. Thanks Karen, definitely try the seam less pleating. And these are my first cast on flowers as well.

    Thank you Cheryl!

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  7. I feel the same way about finishing things. It is simply beautiful. I hope it becomes a family heirloom for many many years. So elegant.

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  8. Love it! I piped one bishop and found it is soo much easier. I forget to do them that way though. One lucky child.

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  9. Jeannine, thank you. I hope the new mommy enjoys it and has many more baby girls to wear it.

    Robin, thanks girlfriend. I tell you, Cheryl is my muse on this one. She always does it, and I loved it. I hope I remember the next time.

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  10. oh yeah! Congrats on 200 posts! I'm getting there myself!

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  11. what a beautiful bishop!! The sleeves are more than gorgeous. I also am not a fan of long sleeved bishops. Ilove everything about it, great neckline!!

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