For the Wee Ones

I have really enjoyed making these tiny gowns. I am sad to think of why they are needed, but glad to help in a wee way.

This little gown is from a pattern by Joy Welsh of Applique for Kids. She generously allowed SAGA to publish it and has graciously allowed me to post the PDF in my MAS Patterns Group!! Thank you, JOY! I used ecru Martha's favorite cotton batiste for this gown. I don't remember where the lace came from- possibly a super MP Co. sale. It is about 2" wide, cotton, and very soft. I initially added the wide lace at the neckline, but it was too much. So, I cut it in half widthwise and I like the scale better, but I wish I had stitched it to the top  of the casing, instead of underneath. I would have moved it again, but I just can't undo all the tiny stitches. Next time I will know.
I love the sleeves. I used a little lace beading with narrow ribbon and it allows ease of dressing, but also can be fitted so it's not too blousy.
The embroidery is a cross from Creative Keepsakes Christening II with "In God's Arms" added in Embird. It is stitched in gold metallic thread.

The embroidery next to it is one I digitized. It is actually based on a tattoo of a Dad who lost an angel baby. I asked people's opinions and they overwhelmingly felt it was not appropriate, so I am not using that one on anything.
Joy's pattern is great for several reasons:
1. It comes in 4 sizes from Tiny Preemie to Newborn
2. With the drawstring neck, it is super quick to sew
3. It is nearly flat in front making it a great canvas for embroidery, lace work, etc.
4. PDF makes it so easy to print and it has just 3 pieces!
 So, go download yours today and give it a try to help Preemies in your area.

Gonna Have to Face it, I'm Addicted to...

Shadow work! I know, I know it's supposed to be love and I have plenty of that from my awesome family! But I have had so much FUN with the machine shadow work designs. I love the Applique for Kids designs.

Look at this sweet little chick! If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you know that we have hens and they are great pets. So, anything with a chick is a "yes" for me!

This "Baby" design is just lovely! I have to say that when I can do this on the embroidery machine in 5 minutes, I think twice about doing it by hand!

Here are some strawberries with blossoms. All of these are stitched with DMC 50wt cotton thread and Madeira cotona 80wt cotton in the bobbin. I recently treated myself to some bright colors of this thread. I had originally bought about 6 pastel colors, but I like it so much that I had to expand my palette! The cotton is my favorite thread to use. It really looks like hand work and doesn't have the sheen of rayon.

These designs are so cute, easy, and work well for so many garments. Check out Applique for Kids!

Smockin' It Old School: The Finished Dress!

I have had quite a spell lately. In the past 10 days, we have had a hospital visit for DD, dog seriously sick at vet, one of our chickens died, a kidney stone for DH, minor car accident for my Mom, and a gross cold taking over the house. We are waiting for our luck to turn back to good!!
Anyway, I am finally here to share the finished dress.

It still needs to be hemmed. I like the way it looks- I was aiming for a 1940s look. I couldn't decide what to do for a collar, so I just left it off. I added a sash in the back- you can see it poking out.

Here's a closer look at the smocking.

This is the transfer I used for this dress. It is the one shown on white here. I hope you enjoyed this series on "Smockin' It Old School"!!