Thursday, May 6, 2010

Flying bishop


Like I asked before, how long does it take to smock a baby bishop? One transatlantic flight and a layover. The only thing missing are the bullion roses around the bottom. Those are almost done now.  Here it is waiting to dry after I blocked it.


A close up of the smocking. My daughter wanted an ecru and white bishop similar to one she has seen on Sara's blog. And I realized I had not done a bishop for the baby yet. This one was pleated already so I pulled out my trusty Anchor color card to choose floss colors.

First posted at Country Bumpkin

Since I didn't have a lot of extra time when I was preparing to leave town, I used a kit I had purchased a while back from Australian Smocking and Embroidery. The dress is called Beginnings from issue #73. It is a poly/cotton fabric. I love using Swiss voile, Swiss Batiste etc, but sometimes I think a new mommy might appreciate something a bit more wash and wear. This mommy is not adverse to ironing, but everyone needs a break now and then. An added bonus? This design stitches up crazy fast! So I am off to finish up the roses and do construction.

17 comments:

  1. How pretty. I love the white and ecru color combination. I've never purchased one of the kits, but it seems like a good idea.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Prettiful! I actually have a picture of a white with ecru bishop printed and in my wee care inspiration pile. Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. How pretty! So glad that you had a wonderful trip! I have never got that "while we travel" smocking thing down. Maybe I need to give it another try!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Absolutey beautiful! I love that pattern, too. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  5. That is really sweet, Martha. I have made that bishop and liked how it came out very much.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Imperial batiste bishops are great for every day wear. Paige had a few when she was little and I never had to worry about what to put on her in a hurry so she would look cute. Bald headed babies need to wear dresses ya know? Love white and ecru.

    ReplyDelete
  7. So pretty! I love a white bishop! Sounds like you're having a wonderful trip!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love Imperial Batiste for babies. With carseats & wrapping up of sweet babies, the cotton blend is wonderful.
    Beckie in Brentwood, TN

    ReplyDelete
  9. Well you are the queen of smocking and bishops. I tell you, you have an eye for this. I do not smock so I cant tell you how long it would take. I tried to smock but its not for me. So I guess my answer would be "Forever".

    Your work is exceptional.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gorgeous! Your thread has a lovely sheen. Is that photography or something other than DMC?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Beautiful as always, Martha. Ecru/white are my favorite combination too. It always look so elegant. Perfect smocking. I'm impressed you could do that while traveling.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you everyone. The bullion roses are done and I am ready to add the neckband/piping.

    Bunny it is Anchor floss. Anchor has a nicer sheen than DMC. Plus I use a large needle which helps reduce on my floss.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I would not have thought that smocking could be a take-along proj!ect.

    Lovely, surely she will love it

    ReplyDelete
  14. Gorgeous! But everything you do IS gorgeous!
    I'm a little confused by this however: "Plus I use a large needle which helps reduce on my floss"
    I suspect there's a word missing after "reduce"? so if you have a tip for the rest of us, please bring it on!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Designdreamer, That should say helps reduce "wear" on my floss. I use a 7 crewel or 7 darner. THe larger hole allows the floss to glide through with less wearing on the thread, thus retaining the shine of the floss.

    ReplyDelete
  16. your work is beautiful! I am impressed it only took you one flight! I have only made one and smocking it was a very long process! I am looking forward to seeing your dress complete!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh Martha, this is just GORGEOUS! I adore white & ecru together...so classic! I can't wait to see it completed. You do such great work ♥

    ReplyDelete

Welcome, I am so glad you chose to leave a comment. I love getting comments, questions and even just a friendly hello. I may not respond to every comment, but rest assured I read them all. Sometimes the comments and questions fuel new posts. So comment away!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...