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.

Needles Pulling Thread

I love children in picture smocked clothing, especially during various holidays.

Maybe if you squint really hard, or use vast amounts of imagination, this might closely resemble an odd shaped Valentine.

Or, I could try to convince you that I am just an eager beaver and already at work for next Christmas.

In the spirit of keeping it real, I confess this post was started months ago, but was interrupted by a sudden trip to Minnesota.

Fortunately, tartan plaids and Santa are timeless.  This can be completed at a later date!

I must admit that I do not exactly love the process of picture smocking.  Give me geometric smocking, and I am good to go!  Picture smocking is, for me, more challenging and time consuming.  I think part of it has to do with counting and keeping my place on the smocking plate.  Geometric smocking seems easier to do on the run, in the car, in front of the television, or while trying to convince your husband that you really are able to stitch and listen to him at the same time.

When I first learned to picture smock, I was told to use a Long Darner 7 needle.  Much of the available literature on smocking also recommends the use of  this needle.

Many years ago, a friend watched me struggle with picture smocking.  She suggested the use of the larger Long Darner 5 needle.

Now, the Long Darner 7 already seemed like a sword in my hands.

Use something even larger, longer and more sword like?

As the obedient child of a school teacher, I followed rules.

I kept plodding along with the Long Darner 7.

Then, wonky eyes became a part of my life.

Determined to convince myself that I could still sew, smock and embroider, I decided to step outside my regular needle box and try something different.

Guess what?

That friend was correct!

I found it much easier to picture smock with a Long Darner 5.

It still is not perfect, and I still am very, very slow.

I have started suggesting this size needle to other friends and customers, with pleasant results.

I have also begun to see the Long Darner 5 needle referenced in more of our literature.

The goal of perfect picture smocking is to have the strands of floss, usually four in picture smocking, lie side by side.  This creates a "ribbon" of floss, and the cable stitches are "stacked" to create the desired figures.

The larger needle prepares a larger tunnel in the fabric through which the floss travels.  This results in a smoother ribbon of floss.  The longer length also allows you to use it as a level, and maintain straight stitches.  Straight stitches are mandatory for perfect picture smocking.

A Long Darner Needle 7 measures approximately 2.25" in length.

A Long Darner Needle 5 measures approximately 2.50" in length.

If nothing else, your husband will not argue with you when you are holding one of these in your hands!

Give it a try and let us know your results!

Happy Picture Smocking!

Needles available at BessieMary.