A Unique Vintage Pattern

I have talked before about the reasons I love vintage patterns. Today I am showing a recent find that I think is really cool. First of all, I like it because it is something I would actually make. I think it's now called a wholecloth quilt, referring to a quilt whose design is derived purely from the quilting, not piecing. It is a pretty baby quilt.

This pattern is special, though, because it's the first one I have seen that folds open. See the crease along the center of the quilt? The front opens up so you can have a great view.


The last pictures shows how the transfers are tucked into the envelope and the directions are printed on the inside. It was funny that I found this pattern on etsy and it was sent to me before I realized the seller was only 2 towns away from me! A neat purchase all around!!

Smocking: 1940s Style

I tried something fun this week. I learned English Smocking when I was 10, but I had never tried "American" Smocking. I had some vintage smocking transfers from the 30s and 40s and I used one!

With English smocking, you pleat the fabric first, then do the hand smocking stitches. With American smocking, you pick up the transfer dots in a pattern, which creates the smocking.

This transfer is about 75 years old, so I guess I was thinking it would be very faint. I just slapped it down and ironed and it transferred beautifully. Not straight, because I didn't plan well!

I used pink Imperial batiste. I smocked with a darker pink, aqua, and purple. I wanted to do something colorful and how I imagined it might have been done in the 40s.

Here's a close-up. The pleats are not as defined as in English smocking and it is stretchy, but not as much as English smocking. It also has less of a gathering ratio, working out to 2.5 or 3 to 1 versus gathering of 3 or 4 to 1.

These are the supplies I put aside to finish a size 1 yoke dress with this piece. I have some perfect purple Imperial that was part of a mystery box. It just so happens to match exactly! I found the crochet thread in the exact right color, too- I couldn't believe that find! I am thinking of crocheting a little edge on the collar and cuffs. I also had the pink piping from a mystery bag of piping! Whoo hoo- I just want to do something fun and colorful with this. 

I probably spend longer choosing the dress pattern than it will take to make it, but I found a 40s yoke dress in size 1 that I can use.

THE VERDICT: I think doing English smocking is easier because you can see each pleat. The dots get a bit lost as the row above gathers up. I like the look of English smocking better, too. However, this is an awesome way for someone to try smocking without investing in a pleater, it still looks great, and it was a super thing to work on while my boys played at the beach. I will definitely do this again!! WHAT DO YOU THINK??

Andrew's Starboard Suspenders

This little doll is my friend's baby Andrew. He is 6 months old and a very happy little fellow.

When an opportunity to test the Starboard Suspenders for my friend Sharon Knowles at Ellie Inspired came up, I thought of what a cute model Andrew would be!

The pattern includes a sailor collar bodysuit and suspendered shorts or skirt, in sizes NB-3. I made the 9 months size.

Here is the front of the set. I love the functional front pockets!

Here is the back of the set. I chose to do a machine embroidery on the back of the collar and trim with piping. The toile ship is from Embroidery Library.

The front waistband is straight and the back is elasticized for a good fit.

This shows how the bodysuit snaps underneath to keep things neat and tucked-in.

This little guy is always happy. We see him a few times a week and he smiles and giggles. He's the littlest "brother" in the group of friends my boys have!

The fabric I used is Khaki seersucker stripe from fabric.com. It is a cotton/poly blend for easy care. The shirt is white cotton/poly broadcloth.

The problem with this pattern is that it doesn't come big enough for MY Andy!! I hope a big kid's version will come out soon! You can get it at Ellie Inspired later this week!!