Tuesday, April 07, 2009

So Pleased

The Gloriana silk being used to smock Ilse's bishop dress is so yummy, I just want to eat it up. The colors are soft, complementing the fabric perfectly to my eye. Using three strands to smock is just right. I have made up this pattern before, but with different fabric and floss, the look is very unique.
The unevenness you see in the pleating/smocking is the seam where the sleeves meet the front and back. I'm skipping the pleat at the seam so that when the dress is finished and the pleating threads are removed, that seam will disappear.

This week is crazy busy with softball practices for Kirsten and the beginning of an extra-curricular Shakespeare class on Wednesday evening for my school-age kids, and of course, Bunco, orthodontist appointment, dentist appointment, AHG field trip, and preparation for egg-dyeing with my grandchildren on Saturday. My head is spinning!

15 comments:

doris said...

Your smocking is so beautiful. I haven't smocked in decades (and don't plan to), but I love looking at projects.

lena-lou said...

Ooooh I wish I could see this IRL, is it shearing elastic that is threaded through before you smock with the silk thread? Is it some kind of special size template you are using underneath it? I'm very curious and interested LOL. I wish my Great Aunt was still alive as she used to smock and she could show me - plus a refresher course on Tatting as I think I have forgotten how to do that . Mind..... I don't know how much time I think I have to do all of these things though ;-)

Carolyn NC said...

Smocking looks fantastic!

Patricia Lessell said...

Your smocking is amazingly gorgeous but I wouldn't expect anything less from you because everything you do is just so perfect. Lots of Love Patti xxx

staci said...

That is too cool! I've always been fascinated by smocking and you are doing a beautiful job!!!

Jacqueline Korteland Boller said...

Oh, Von, this is gorgeous!!

I tried to learn smocking, but I think I made it more difficult for myself than it really is...I need to try it again someday!!

Dianne said...

This is beautiful!
Happy belated birthday to Kirsten too.

mainely stitching said...

Oh, Von, that's so gorgeous. WOW!

Siobhán said...

Your smocking is SOOOO beautiful! I love it. Good luck with your busy week!

Karoline said...

It's looking gorgeous Von

Andrea said...

Beautiful work Von.

Anonymous said...

WOW that smocking is gorgeous!

Terri said...

Gorgeous!!!

Stitchingranny said...

Its years since I did any smocking but its so lovely to see someone doing it again and I look forward to seeing the outcome with this little dress.

Maren said...

Wow, that smock is really pretty. The Gloriana thread colors are the perfect compliment.