Wednesday, February 2, 2011

It takes a village to dress a child


At least it takes a village to dress this child! This is a three person project. A friend started the smocking for a second friend that had twins about seven years ago. She sent it to her to finish. Well the girl had twins, she ran out of time. She discovers the UFO recently, finishes the smocking and sends it to me. I finished the construction. And that is the story of a well traveled UFO.


It is a cozy, warm, brushed twill probably from Heirloom Imports. (Funny thing is, I have this same print in a lawn in the "want to do" pile.) It is Chery Williams bishop smocked with floche. I don't know the name of the smocking plate.


I piped the neckline. Horror of horrors, I had to do it without my #10 foot!! After the workshop a couple weeks ago, I have lost my #10 foot. I about can't function without it. I had a heck of time making and attaching this piping without my favorite foot. One of the classes we took from Gail D. was Beautiful Bias. She has a great way to attach a prefinished bias to the neckline. I couldn't quickly figure out how to do it with the piping. So I will have to play with that some to work it out.


I have no idea what the original plan for the placket was, but I took out a few stitches on either side and made a full length placket down the back. That is the beauty of a bishop, it does have some forgiveness factor, especially in a heavier fabric. I had the leeway to do that and still have enough fullness to make it fit.


I used buttons from Hill Creek in a soft pink. I wanted to attach the buttons with the darker floche for contrast. Floche is a very soft twist fiber and I was afraid it wouldn't be able to withstand the wear and tear of a button in use. So I attached the button first with sewing thread and then ran the floche just through the holes on top covering the sewing thread. Perfect for the contrast without the need for sturdiness. Best of both worlds. The buttons really are on straight but they look wonky in this picture. It is probably the tulle under the dress to "puff it" for the picture that is making it hang cotcheyed.

So thank you Robin and Lori for your help in dressing this child. Hopefully we will have a model shot soon though I am sure we won't see baby girl today. The weather here has been horrid. My son is out there now trying to dig his mother out. Bless his heart, he is good to his momma!

19 comments:

  1. Oh, I love that! And, with all 3 of you working on it, it is chock full of love! Beautiful. I wondered about smocking with floche....wear and tear and all. Obviously, not an issue. That yellow and pink is loverly!

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  2. This is darling! Just in time for Valentines day. Perhaps when you talk to the smocker of the project you could inquire as to it's name. I love the way it comes down into a point. In any case I'll be watching for it when I'm looking at smocking patterns.

    Thanks for all I have learn from you.

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  3. Beautiful collaberation! I believe the smocking plate is Tiny Baby Bishops by Kathy Crisp. I used it for a new baby in our church a few years ago....still one of my favorite things I've every made!

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  4. Sweet bishop, a great collaboration !!

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  5. It is precious!!! I love the history behind it. That sweet baby is certainly well-dressed!!!

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  6. I love the yellow and pink. It is so sweet. Everyone did a great job to make this dress so adorable.

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  7. Lori Anne is correct, it is Tiny Baby Bishops!

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  8. I love this baby dressing village! A beautiful bishop for a beautiful baby!

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  9. Gorgeous dress! I love it! You must obtain another #10 foot and soon!!

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  10. I know all about that village business. With two little girls, it keeps us all going, doing, making all the time but I love it and love for them to be adorable!!!
    I am crazy about the pink and yellow combination. Just beautiful!!!

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  11. Thank you for the name of the smocking plate Lori Anne and the confirmation Anonymous. I've been able to find it online.

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  12. Yes, it is tiny baby bishops plate. One of my all time favs. I probably (i have slept since that was pleated) was not going to have it button down the back. That was in my placket faze of bishops. Lori took that one with me as she knew she could finish it... I forget how many rows I had smocked. I think there is a road... but I am sooo glad someone is getting to wear that! I have a Maggie in a size 5 if you need it... same fabric,same floss. Just saying.

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  13. I should add that I need to find the pattern so I can tell you which one I used. I am thinking it was the Ellen McCarn but not sure.

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  14. Hey, Robin, if you wnat to sell that Maggie, I have a niece who is just about in a size 5 with a birthday in March. =)

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  15. Lori I will look at it today... I am in my release to the universe stage so that would help. I have hated getting rid of it as I love the fabric. :)

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  16. Very sweet! Love the color choices! Nice to see it on the hanger, once it is on the baby I only have eyes for her.

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  17. I love the yellow and pink! Enjoyed your blog... will be back!

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  18. LOVE the pink and yellow dress. Could you do a tutorial on that bishop placket? I learned how doing the much more bulky placket that makes the placket just too full. Also, what bishop pattern do you use?

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  19. Laurie... beware... this plate has been OOP for a long long long time. I seriously doubt that any one that has the plate online has an original. I bought this one on ebay 13 yrs ago after hunting for it for awhile.

    Now if it does not bother you to pay top dollar for an unauthorized color copy... :) I could make a fortune that way!

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