Smocking Group Shout Out!!

The Sew Much Good Smocking group continues to produce beautiful things!

Some of us share pictures and some . . . .

Well, they need a little prodding!  You know who you are.

Here some of the latest pictures.

Kerry started smocking this Spring and made two look alike dresses for her granddaughters.

They are lucky girls in Arizona. :)

Now Kerry has a brand new granddaughter here in Utah.

This dress is for her special Christening Day.

The yoke is smocked in palest pink with pearl beads.

The skirt has 1" pleats, pintucks and wonderful cotton lace insertion.

Tinley will look like an angel for sure.

Bravo! Kerry!

Jacy has been at it again. This bishop's yoke dress is for Kate. Here's the front. Click on the picture and see the clever lace beading with ribbon sewn in the skirt. Cute, cute!

Here's the button band in the back. Very cute!

Here's Kate in the dress. What can you say about those adorable little legs in those adorable red shoes!? Adorable!

Here's Kate showing off her daisy and her dress! So adorable!

Here's Kate in the daisies! Three kudos, Jacy! Adorable dress, adorable photo, adorable Kate!!

Who wants to learn to smock?! You can do this!

Narrow Hems

So much of great sewing is in the details.

And so much of enjoying sewing is being efficient and accurate.

Narrow hemming on ruffles and other things like the sides of aprons can make the difference between things looking great and . . .  well . . . not so great.

Doing it faster can also make the difference in whether the project gets finished or . . . well, you know where you stash your unfinished stuff.

Here's the straight scoop on making narrow hems as quick & accurate as possible.

For a finished 1/4" hem start by sewing 1/2" from the raw edge.

You may be tempted to skip this thinking it is a waste of time. Don't. It will save you time in the end.

If want to go faster - use a longer stitch but sew straight. If you are hemming a curve like the arm curve of an apron this stitching will keep your fabric from stretching out of shape and getting those ugly ripples like cheap ready-mades.

Next use your stitches as a guide and press 1/2" to the wrong side. Your stitches should be just slightly to the back side.

Now go back and press the raw edge into the fold to make a 1/4" hem. Sew close to the folded edge.

If you are hemming a curve, press carefully so that you don't stretch things out of shape but show who is boss and press it down flat. If you think it might slip or slide as you sew you can even pin it at 90 degrees to the edge - removing the pins as you sew.

If you are hemming a shorter length and are confident you can skip the second press and tuck the hem into the fold as you sew like I am doing in the picture above.

Now there's a nice even narrow hem without fighting or %#$@ !  

You know.

Happy Sewing!

Blue Daiquiri

As promised I am unveiling a new apron pattern today!

She is FRESH and BLUE!

On these oh-so-hot summer days she reminds of a cool, icy drink.

That's why I call her

Blue Daiquiri

I hope you like her as much as I do!

She joins the rest of the Apron Family Line. Check them out.

I'd love to know what you think.

A Month of Sewing . . . Among other things

The basement has been reclaimed with new paint and new carpet. Hurray!

Truly it is better than before the flood.

In the meantime I have been sewing and smocking.

It is time for show and tell . . .  Here are some of the samples I made for stores in my area that carry my patterns.

Punch & Cookies

Strawberry Licorice
done up like
Halloween Licorice!

Here's another fun version of Strawberry Licorice done in fabric called The Ghastlies! by Alexander Henry. It is so fun!

I have also been smocking! I finished this little summer dress this week!

I love the ruffles! 

We just can't seem to get enough of ruffles these days.

She has a darling cross over front with smocking at the waist that goes all the way around to the button band down the back. I added sleeves and made some minor modifications. 

The pattern is called Serious Fun from Australian Smocking & Embroidery Issue #87. (Size 24 mos.)

The fabric is Moda from the California Girl line by Fig Tree Quilts. The tiny yellow print is Sunshine (20183 11) and the yellow & brown stripe is Sunshine (20184 11).

NEWS FLASH! 

I have a new apron pattern called Blue Daiquiri that will debut on Monday, July 9!!

BIGGER NEW FLASH!!! 

Two of my apron patterns will be featured on the 

Home Shopping Network! 

Juki America will air a segment planned for July 25 and use Punch & Cookies and Strawberry Licorice.  

Keep an eye out for them!
I was also recently featured on the Juki Facebook page.
Check it out.

Yes, we are going national!!!

Watch at your local store for patterns by

Happy Sewing!