Football and Smocking

The sports world is buzzing with commentary on last night's Super Bowl.

The smocking world is celebrating the joy of seeing Eli's daughter dressed in a smocked bishop, complete with red Mary Janes and hairbow!

Precious!

Soul Soothing Smocking

Yesterday morning this pulled up in front of my home.

Several hours later, I was the proud owner of approximately eight feet of new PVC piping,

and my bank account was several thousand (yes, more than one, two or three thousand) dollars lighter.

Needless to say, the rosy sweet glow left from Valentine's Day quickly dimmed.

Some form of soul soothing distraction was desperately needed!

With my wallet much lighter, I decided maybe spending money on a favorite flavor milkshake from a favorite chicken sandwich restaurant was probably not the best solution.

I turned to some soul soothing smocking, instead.

My husband's assistant is expecting a baby girl in April.

I expect she will be sweet and petite like her mother!

I selected white Skip Dent fabric for a tiny little bishop, using Ellen McCarn's Baby Bishops pattern.

The term "skip dent" refers to a type of weaving that produces a design in the fabric, such as the stripes in this piece of fabric.

This particular fabric is a polyester/cotton blend, but feels and behaves much like an all cotton fabric.  I enjoy working with it, and a new mother will enjoy its easy care.

Angel Baby is a smocking plate by Crosseyed Cricket, designed especially for tiny bishops.  The design covers approximately seven half-space rows.

I have changed the colors and am using a very pale blue, instead of pink, and a slightly different green.

Since this is a tiny little gown, and the fabric is also delicate, I am smocking with only two strands of floss.

As I discussed in this blog post, I have recently discovered that a larger needle aids in picture smocking since more strands of floss are required.  However, for geometric smocking on delicate fabrics, I still prefer to use a Crewel 8.  Lately, I have noticed Richard Hemming has retitled their Crewel needles as Embroidery needles.

I am thankful all my plumbing fixtures are now back in operation, and a little stitching soothed my soul!

I certainly hope you do not have plumbing issues, but I do hope you find time today for a little stitching!

Skip Dent fabric, pattern, smocking plate, floss, and needles available at BessieMary.

Bunny Bishop

A bunny bishop for a special little miss!

Fabric is Honeydew Smoothie Microcheck by Nashville Cotton, available here.

Swiss edging by Capitol Imports trims the sleeves and hem.

http://www.somewhatsimple.blogspot.com/

Inquiring Minds

There were a few questions from my last entry, which I will try to answer!

Martha inquired about the fabric for the bunny bishop I am currently smocking.  It is Honeydew Smoothie Microcheck by Nashville Cotton, and can be found here.

While I normally think of a honeydew melon as pale green, this fabric is more aqua.

Debbie asked about lengths for a size 18 month bishop.

It is true that dress lengths are a little longer today than those on older patterns.  Some of the newer patterns indicate finished lengths of 19-22" for a bishop of that size.  Children come in all shapes and sizes at that age, so it may depend upon your granddaughter's height. 

Personally, I prefer a slightly shorter length on smaller ones that are still learning to walk.  Too much fabric and length can complicate toddling, as well as hide those cute chubby legs!  Once they are a little older, I love the longer tea length.

To answer Kathy, I made The Pioneer Woman's version of macaroni and cheese!

It was very good!  The jury is still out whether we like it better than my usual recipe from Gracious Goodness, an older cookbook from the Symphony League of Memphis, Tennessee.  Might need to do some more cooking!

I love your comments, and always welcome questions!

Attaching Swiss Edging

I am currently working on a little bishop and have chosen to put Swiss edging on the sleeves.  Many people use a machine roll and whip technique to accomplish this.  I prefer a different method.  I originally found this method on some little vintage garments. 

First, I starch and press my trim and sleeve edge.  My iron and can of spray starch are often my best friends!  Next, I place the trim and sleeve right sides together.  I have determined exactly where I wish for my trim to be placed, in order to obtain the correct width of finished sleeve ruffle.  You can tell this is a bishop sleeve, already pleated with several half-space rows and then flattened.  This is why you need to use long threads when pleating those sleeves! 

I use my Edge Joining foot, and stitch right next to the decorative part of the Swiss edging.  I decreased the straight stitch to about 2.0, on my machine.

Next, I will turn it over to the wrong side and trim both seam allowances.  I trim the fashion fabric to about 1/8".  I trim the batiste of the Swiss edging so that it is about 1/8" more than the fashion fabric.

Now it is back to our friend the Iron!  I first press my stitching flat -- which I forgot to take a photograph!  This helps to sink those stitches into your fabrics and make everything smooth.

 I will use the tip of the iron and the edge of the sole plate to gentle press the fashion fabric away from the Swiss edging, making sure that everything is neat and flat.

This is what it now looks like on the wrong side of the sleeve.

If you look closely, you can see that the batiste of the Swiss edging is wider than the seam allowance of the sleeve edge.  In other words, it is almost twice as wide.  I will now tuck that portion of the batiste underneath, forming a smooth and finished edge.  Since the Swiss edging is made from a fine 100% cotton, it is very easy to simply finger press this into place.

With needle and thread, I slipstitch it in place, just like I would a hem.

This is what it looks like on the right side when finished.

I have seen this method used on various garments, and other places besides sleeve edges.  It could also be used to attach entredeux, which is then finished with a lace edging.

Yes, this method probably takes a little bit longer than using a machine roll and whip.  However, I find that it is a little less bulky with some fabrics.  I believe it also gives a more finished and softer appearance.  I am using fine fabric and trims, and hoping to make garments that will last a long time.  A few extra minutes definitely seem worthy!  There is also something very soothing about taking needle and thread and hand finishing all the little details that make our garments so special.

Here are a couple of other sweet little bishop sleeves . . . 

finished with Swiss edging and this same technique.

Now, I have to get hopping on completing the smocking and construction of this little bishop.  It needs to be ready before Mr. Easter Bunny arrives with the eggs!