Friday, April 17, 2009

Last Stitches

Yes, the last stitches are being finished on Ilse's dress this very afternoon! I had to make a quick trip to Joann's to find some buttons - the right size and the right color. How hard could that be? Ha! There were some adorable buttons; problem being there was only one card. I found another great choice - at $5 for three buttons, I decided to keep looking. Guess I'm not in full Nana mode yet. :D Then I found these at $1.60 for four buttons - much better.

On this dress I used a new-to-me stitch for the hem. It's called the slip stitch and while I'm sure many of you are well-acquainted with it, I wasn't and found a great tutorial online here. It makes the neatest, almost invisible hem I've ever done. I can't tell you how pleased I am, lol! In the pic below you can see the hem on the bottom as well as the back placket which I used the same stitch to sew it down. You can see little stitches, but the thread travels in the folded fabric.

Last night was smocking guild night. We were to bring our punch needle projects all finished and a wip to work on. Of course, with all this actual smocking and constructing, I didn't get the punch needle finished, so I brought the dress and the punch needle as the wip. Next month we're going to begin a shadow embroidery project. Yay! I've wanted to learn shadowwork for a long time.

This weekend will be a busy one around here of course. I'll be sharing more about the reason for that very soon. In the meantime, relax, do a project, and have some fun this weekend. And thanks for visiting!

13 comments:

Kathryn said...

Oh - it's so lovely Von! Can't wait to see a picture of her in it!
Kathryn : )

Dianne said...

I can't wait to see the finished dress on Miss Sweetie Pie. : )

Von said...

I'm hoping to get that pic of Ilse in the dress this weekend. :)

Sharon said...

Your work is so beautiful, that dress is gorgeous. Thanks for sending that tutorial too.

Siobhán said...

Such incredible work, Von! I can't wait to see Ilse in it--what a beautiful name. :)

Andrea said...

Absolutely beautiful Von.

mainely stitching said...

Oh, Von. This is just so gorgeous. It's like an heirloom, really. You deserve a BIG pat on the back!!!

Deb said...

I just came across your blog and I have to say that this is the most beautiful dress. Your work is absolutely gorgeous. That tutortial is a great thing to have handy. I haven't sewing for my daughter in years but I used to make a lot of those Daisy Kingdom dresses for her and would have loved to have know this technique! Can't to see pictures of Ilse in it.

lena-lou said...

Looking absolutely fabulous and ~I can't wait to see a full view of it :)
Have a nice rest of the weekend

Cathy B said...

Your smocking is gorgeous Von!

Patricia Lessell said...

I knew that dress would be one to die for and it certainly is. Can't wait to see a photo of Ilse in it. Lots of Love Patti xxx

Wawanna said...

WOW is this dress ever stunning! Lots of love and work has gone into this one, it's obvious. I followed you from the nice comment you made on my blog. Yours has been an enjoyable read, such talant you possess! It is quite impressive, to say the least!

Myrna said...

Von! That turned out awesome! You are so talented...