Saturday, June 11, 2011

Tiny Stitches


Time in the sewing room is more rare than hen's teeth these days. I found myself in the car for several hours on a recent trip to Louisiana two weeks ago. We all know it would be tough to balance a sewing machine on my lap zooming down the road. So what to do? Go back to handsewing! That is what I did. I didn't have much time to get a project pulled together for our princess, but I always have Wee Care gowns awaiting attention. No machine, so I grabbed a spool of DMC 50 wt thread in pale blue and a package of needles.  I was ready to go.


On these tiny gowns sized for a 1-2# baby it only takes a tiny bit of smocking. It took less than an hour to smock this gown. Four rows of about 40 pleats doesn't take long! I can see that my bias band did crinkle a tiny bit. :(


Since I was in a hurry I also didn't grab any trim/lace to take with me. I did have a blue marker and a ruler though, so I marked a hemline and put in a shell hem on both sleeves. Just a tiny bit of extra sweetness for a tiny little boy.


 

Since I was obviously going to be putting the hem in by hand I might as well make it cute. I used two strands of the same floss used for smocking to stitch the hem. Just a little bit of extra color. 


I did find 10 minutes yesterday to stitch some silk satin ribbon ties on the back. Silk satin ribbon isn't necessary but it sure drapes better than poly ribbon which has a tendency to stick out rather stiffly. Of course if I were making 1200 gowns I couldn't afford to put silk satin on all of them, but I had the ribbon in my stash so I used it.

It is pretty dry in sewing land around here when an 8" gown garners five pictures! But its all I've got right now. I am getting ready to start the baby's birthday dress and then a few other tiny things are on my horizon to make.


Faithful reader, soothe your spirit, pick up a needle.

Parting shot: Princess' Uncle Ben has taught her how to give "big hugs." Here she is practicing on Lambie. She has to be contained in a playpen in the sewing room now. Her curiosity and mobility are getting the best of us!

9 comments:

  1. Sweet and simple, Martha! Love your extra touches.

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  2. Way to make the most of your minutes! So delicate!

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  3. Your wee care gown is so sweet and special. Thanks for reminding us what we can accomplish on a road trip with only the barest of sewing essentials.

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  4. all our touches are so sweet! this one just proves how wonderful all that hand stitching makes a little garment! Been missing you!

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  5. It always warms my heart to see others sewing wee care gowns! What a blessing it is for the families that receive these beautiful creations! I LOVE all the special touches you did on this gown - soooo precious! Thanks for sharing!

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  6. Your Wee care gown is adorable. Somebody will appreciate the care and love that has gone into it.
    I think Lambie may be getting lots of cuddles from now on; how cute!!!!

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  7. I love the gown. Someone will feel loved.
    When I did hem on a dress, I did french knots holding the material up about a quarter inch apart.

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  8. I love the wee care gown,hand stitching makes it even more precious well done hugs Pat.

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  9. I would say this little gown is a shining moment! perfectly lovely

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