Another Bishop

I've been trying to get a bunch of things ready smock/hand sew so I can take them with me to Florida. This is a bishop I made for a friend's kid. It's one of the prettiest things I think I've ever made. The girl picked the fabric out herself, and I must say, for this dress, I don't think she could have picked a better print. All of the seams are in french! Ooh la la! And it has one of those fancy hidden hem things and lace trim around the collar. I'm so excited!

Trying out a new pattern... the smocked "Hallie"

I REALLY like this pattern! I can't wait to get it smocked and finished. It has a fantastic sash and a ruffle hem (which I can't add until I'm done smocking it - it'll be FULLY lined!) I added piping along the top and bottom of the smocked insert. It was my first go at it. I think it makes it look more "professional". I can't decide if I should use a coordinating gingham for the pants, or stick with the polka dot. What do you think?

Smocked bishop - completed!

In all, it probably only took about 3 hours to smock. I do it while scavenging through all of those TiVo programs that you don't really WANT to watch, but feel obligated to sit through because TiVo took the time and trouble to record it! ANYWAY... (pretend I didn't say that if you don't feel that same twang of guilt).

Pattern alteration

So, I tried out a new pattern. Simplicity 2825. It's a cute twirling dress with long sleeves... or at least it's supposed to be. Suggested fabrics included cottons, but I think this pattern would only work with a heavier fabric (cord, velveteen). I decided that it would work if the sleeves were chopped off. And as it turns out, the sleeves made PERFECT leg warmers - for my SON! He concluded that he wouldn't have to wear pants when he was out jumping on the trampoline if he was wearing his leg warmers.... brilliant! I also added a sash to break up the pattern.

A-line set

I've had this fabric a while, and I'm just now getting around to trying the ruffling thing. The girl requested "pants with ruffles"... so it inspired me to try it. I didn't cut enough off of the dress length, so it's a little long - which is really quite fine. She'll be able to wear it all summer.

Jumper

This is for a friend's kid... she picked the fabric out herself. It's fully lined. (Oh! That reminds me... I forgot to handsew the opening!) I tried using a metal snap instead of a button and elastic loop. Their hair always gets tangled up in the button! We'll see if maybe this is a better way to go!

Bow holder

Asking my daughter to find a hair bow in her "basket" was really not a fair request. That poor basket was a mess! So, I came up with this idea. I just took a hand-held mirror and stuck some braids on it, tied a ribbon to the handle, and voila! The long tails of the ribbon make for a perfect hair bow organizer! Plus, she can look at herself in the mirror - what girl doesn't love doing that?! (And judging by the fingerprints, she's already put it to use!!)

Bow Bustin'

I admit it. I have an addiction... more than one, actually. But this time I'm referring to my addiction to ribbon. I decided to put it to good use. I made every one of these bows today. It took a couple of hours, but it was well worth it!

Bishop Tutorial

Here's a tutorial Jnet and I put together on making a bishop dress. I hope it clears up the confusion that some of those pattern instructions can inflict!

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=v3b9gt1.73ij2g2x&x=0&y=-o2c407&localeid=en_US