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| Just click on the photos to enlarge them. |
When I think of 'formal wear', I think of bridal party, prom or ballroom attire. Therefore, when Project Run & Play announced that that would be the challenge for this week, I didn't think that I would be able to participate in the sew-along. I just didn't have any flower girl dresses or wedding attire to sew and share. However, I adjusted my thinking when I saw what was being posted for this week. For me these sweet clothes translate into "Dressy Sunday Clothes" and I DO have something I have been working on to share. This is for the baby girl cousin of a young friend of mine.
This little size 6-9 months ensemble consists of four pieces but I forgot to photograph the ruffle back pant*ies. The little bonnet is from a Petite Poche pattern that is a copy of a 1930's sunsuit and bonnet pattern.
It buttons at the back with one button and has a sweet Swiss eyelet edging ruffle around the brim. It is completely lined and ties with lavender ribbons.
I embroidered the flowers around the brim to coordinate with the ones I embroidered n the smocking.
No two sprays of flowers are exactly the same.
The little dress has a square neckline and a very full skirt. Lavender ribbon was woven through the eyelet holes of the skirt and match the lighter lavender of the geometric smocking.
The geometric smocking is rows 14-20 of of
"Fairy Dust" from
Australian Smocking & Embroidery #51. I did not do the embroidery shown in the magazine but 'did my own thing'.
The back of the dress closes with button loops and two lavender flower buttons.
After sewing the buttons on I added pink bullion loops and some green lazy daisy leaves so that the rather plain back of the dress would be more interesting.
The next picture is of the little bib I made using a vintage handkerchief and a white cotton flannel lining. I assure you that it was symmetrically cut but I draped it over the hanger crookedly. The hankie colors matched the smocking colors perfectly so it just had to be used for this project!
The neck binding on the bib is a vintage piece of shiny bias binding of unknown fiber content that I inherited. I added more embroidery, of course, where the lavender ribbon is attached at the back of the bib.
I hope you like my baby "Formal Wear" and will stop over to see the other wonderful entries at Project Run & Play"
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Oh my goodness!! Karen!! You are amazing! This is absolutely gorgeous! Saw your comment at my place and am sooooo excited to be receiving a package soon- you're the best! Thanks, Karen!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sarah! I am excited for you to GET the package!
DeleteOk, Karen, this is spectacular! I love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lee! Do you smock or embroider?
DeleteI LOVE the details you added to the buttons in the back... simple, but such a lovely addition. And the ribbon threaded into the eyelets is beautiful. As usual, I am amazing by your embroidery and smocking. It's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Charity. I have a real fondness for smocking on white eyelet. I've made several of these eyelet dresses for babies/toddlers but this is the first time that I have added the ribbon to the eyelet.
DeleteYour stitching and sewing is absolutely perfect and I love all the details you add!! Very special and precious clothing incomparable to anything on the market today! Thanks so much for sharing your work!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gina. I think the details are what takes a handmade item and makes it extra special for the child wearing it. The clothing that we make for the children in our lives are made with love. Martha Pullen used to call these garments 'Love Clothes' because we are wrapping them with our love. I also say prayers for blessings for the child/children who will wear the things I make as I am hand stitching.
DeleteI am seriously impressed with those flowers! Wow! And carrying the theme in the back with leaves around the flower buttons is genius! Such a pretty dress.:)
ReplyDeleteCindy
Thank you, Cindy! Hand embroidery is one of my favorite things to do. I find it relaxing when I don't have a deadline.
DeleteWoW! The detailing on this piece is AMAZING. Such beautiful work!
ReplyDelete-liZ
Thank you, Liz! I enjoy adding the little extra embroidery touches where they might be a bit of a surprise.
DeleteThis is just exquisite, Karen! I love the way you seem to always make ensembles, not just a single dress or whatever. Each piece is a treasure.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Janice! When it comes to babies I have a hard time stopping, Janice! When my own two were babies I tried to coordinate their outfits. Friends would chuckle at me because even their binkies, blanket, and burp cloth would 'go with' the outfit chosen for the day. A red binkie in the mouth would clash with a pink ensemble! I couldn't have that! LOL
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