Smocked Layette for Project Run & Play Season 8: My Signature Style

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 My signature style is full of old-fashioned details:  smocking, embroidery, French lace, heirloom sewing techniques, silk ribbon, traditional/classic baby patterns.  This set was made for my godmother/aunt to give as a shower gift to a great niece.  It is made of a lovely shade of blue Imperial batiste, silk ribbon and French lace.

Using the Imperial batiste (fine polycotton) makes this little ensemble very easy to launder.  It can go right in the washer and dryer (inside out) on the delicate cycle with other delicate things.  Remove promptly and only the ribbon ties may need a quick pressing.

 The pattern for the tiny (newborn to size 3 months) diaper shirt and diaper cover is from Australian Smocking & Embroidery #61.  The magazine design didn't incorporate lace and was all in white but otherwise I made the outfit as illustrated there.  I used white floche (type of embroidery thread) for the smocking and two shades of pink floche for the roses.  Floche is a lovely fiber for delicate smocking and embroidery.  It is not separated by strands and is about the thickness of two strands of DMC cotton six strand embroidery floss. The bonnet was made using an old Grace Knott pattern.

I used the smocking design that the designer (Margaret Wight of South Austrailia) created for the ensemble in the magazine.

 The back of the dress has four lovely buttons that I embroidered with pink rose buds.

You can see just how tiny this little top was in the next picture.  The armholes are uniform...I just had the outfit sitting crooked on the hanger.  

 

The bloomers were made with a folded over ruffle on the tushie.  I added the gathered French lace and the silk bow to tie it in more with the top and the bonnet.  I embroidered another rose on the ribbon, of course.

 I smocked a simple design adapted from the smocking plate in the pattern on the bonnet.

 The silk ribbon ties were attached with more of the hand embroidered roses.

I loved making this ensemble!  I adore making baby clothes.  They are my absolute favorite things to make, especially if they are smocked and embroidered and dripping with fine materials.

I hope you liked this little outfit!  The outfit was a big hit with the baby's family and created quite a stir at the shower.  My daughter loved this whole ensemble so I know that I'll be making another one for my grandmother's hope chest someday.   I'm wondering... given the soft easy care material used in this outfit, would the young mothers you know put this on their babies?