I dearly love vintage linens with beautiful handwork. I am always on the lookout to rescue linens that some needle artist made in the past to use or repurpose. Recently, I was going through my stash of lovely old pillowcases when this one caught my eye. The pretty blue embroidery reminded me of the blue of Emma B's eyes and I thought it would be perfect to use to make something for her fifth birthday. I decided to make it into a little pillowcase dress/tunic to wear over leggings or blue jeans.
I used the "Miss Violet" pattern from The Handmade Dress (you can find the pattern
HERE) and added an extra couple of rows of dots for the smocking. With all the smocking I have done over the last 18 years, I must confess that this is the first time that I have drawn dots on the fabric and then smocked the honeycomb stitch. (I have done honeycomb smocking over fabric I have pleated using a pleater but I had not smocked as I picked up dots drawn on the material.) The smocking reminded me of the counterchange smocking I used on gingham fabric for a couple of dresses for my daughter and another for a friend's child. It was done in just a couple of hours and looked perfect with the cross stitch embroidery on the bottom of the case.
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| I think that the lace on the bottom of the case is knitted in some way. It clearly isn't crochet work. Very lacy and pretty, though. |
Miss Emma B loved the dress and her mommy really loved it as a long tunic over jeans. Score! (As my son would say. ;) )
I hope that you are having fun!
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I've got goosebumps! I just love smocking on little girls! I have a while to wait. I'm afraid I brainwashed our daughter to wait until she's 40 before becoming a mother. Haha! Actually, they're waiting until they're set up enough that she can stay home full-time. And I hope I live long enough, just so I can have all the fun you're having!! I envy you so much!
ReplyDeleteThank you! This little dress is for a friend's granddaughter as I have a ways to go before I have any grandchildren. However, I DO smock and embroider things to put into my grandmother's 'hope chest' for future grandchildren to wear!
DeleteDefinite Socre! It's beautiful.:)
ReplyDeleteWow! I so admire your beautiful work. What a clever way to use those vintage pillowcases. I have found a few at my local thrift store and bought them because they reminded me of ones my grandmother used to make. Your dresses are perfect.
ReplyDeleteThis dress wasn't difficult to make and the pattern explains how to do the honeycomb smocking if you want to use one of the pillowcases that you have purchased. If you had any questions, I would be happy to help you.
DeleteYour work is amazing!! I am such an admirer of heirloom sewing/ stitching!! All of the clothing you have made are like little pieces of art.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gina! I enjoy the whole process of a project from getting the idea, picking patterns, choosing fabrics and embellishments, etc.
DeleteWhat a wonderful way to repurpose a pillow case that had been lovingly embroidered in the past. Your smocking adds just the right detail.
ReplyDeleteLove this and I have the pattern. My question is where did you get the extra fabric for the puffed sleeves? I also have lots of vintage pillowcases and would love to he's them this way. Would it be possible to post a cutting layout??
ReplyDeleteThanks
Jeanna
That's a beautiful dress. Your smocking looks perfect and the embroidery and knitted lace are just precious.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing to think of the work that was put into these pillowcases so long ago. I think the original maker would be thrilled to know it was still being used in a repurposed way.
ReplyDeletePS- yes, the lace along the bottom of the one *is* "knitted in some way". Its done in the same fine gauge of usually cotton or linen thread as doily crochet and back in the day, the work was commonly done on a pair of long hat pins.
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