Here is the dress that I made last week. I took a class on making bishops, so there will probably be a lot more soon lol! I've been smocking for years, but it just never occurred to me to do something *gasp* trendy with it :p Once again, I've copycatted this one, but at least I added my own touches ROFLOL! I put ricrac instead of lace on the sleeves, I used black stitching at the hem instead of the original pink, and I used a different smocking plate that was 3 colors instead of the original which was just pink.

I have a feeling this dress may make a few more appearances in my family, and I can't wait to come up with new fabric combos!


Ellie was very grumpy and tired for our photo shoot this morning, and she's holding her mouth kinda funny because she FINALLY cut teeth this weekend!!!


http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d925b3127cce92fe1610955b00000026109AatGLVk3Zu

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d925b3127cce92fe14cc14b600000016109AatGLVk3Zu


This is what she does when I ask her to show me her teeth!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d925b3127cce92fe2b2354de00000036109AatGLVk3Zu

oh goodness, that dress turned out too cute, but ellie is much cuter! what a stinker, i can't wait to see her toofies tomorrow ;)

Very pretty!

that is very, very cute, both baby & dress.

Wow, that's amazing! I love that dress, and all the special touches you added.

Beautiful!!

Awwwwwwwwwwwwww! I'm in awe of anyone who smocks. :bow:

Very pretty!! I wish I knew how to smock.

that is so beautiful!!! i've always wanted to try smocking but it looks so difficult!
I love your lil' redhead! :heart:

Ellie couldn't be cuter (is that gramatically correct :rolleyes: ) in that great smocked dress!!! You have really been sewing some fantastic items. :heart:

Well that is just beautiful! You need to take a close up of the smocking to show the detail, it's hard to see from here....lol But it looks pretty. :D

That's beautiful!

Wow!
I dream about learning how to smock. Hopefully before I have grandkids.

OH! That's so lovely!!! I love it!

E

that is beautiful! I *love* the picture where she is sticking out her tounge. Precious! lol

Awesome!

I've been dying to do some smocking, I really need to pick up some dots somewhere.

Are you going to enter that in your fair? You should. I bet you'll get a blue ribbon for it!

(And I've gotta say, your daughter is just adorable!)

Thank you all so much for your sweet words! :)

Smocking is SO easy - I promise!!! If you want to learn, try calling your local fabric stores and ask them if they know anyone who teaches it. You may find that you are near an heirloom shop, or that your Hancock's teaches it. It is so fast, and once you get going with it, you'll kick yourself for putting it off LOL! And if you can avoid using dots, you will be much better off :) Heirloom shops generally are able to pleat your fabric for you, but if you have no one, let me know and I can do it, too. I'd hate to see you struggling with dots LOL!

I hadn't really thought about entering it in the fair, as I know most of the judges from my smocking guild, and I'd feel a little silly knowing that they were inspecting my work so closely...!

Wow thats beautiful :)
I love how much personality your lil one has :)

Ilove smaocking normally, but I really love this set!

that is just beautiful---I love your unique touches. I wish I were that confident in my "eye" to know what looks good!

What smocking guild are you a part of?

How beautiful! Your daughter is just so sweet too, I love seeing photos of her. Who is the little pixie peeking from behind the tree? ;peek:

And happy early birthday to your sweet Ellie!
:)

That is just gorgeous! Your dd is adorable! :)

that is just beautiful---I love your unique touches. I wish I were that confident in my "eye" to know what looks good!

What smocking guild are you a part of?

I'm not particularly confident, I just don't mind asking for opinions LOL! I would have NEVER chosen the blue, but one of the girls suggested it, and I realized that she was SO right. LOL! I am a member of SAGA, the Memphis chapter, specifically. The main SAGA wesite is www.smocking.org and you should be able to find a local chapter, if you need one ;)

How beautiful! Your daughter is just so sweet too, I love seeing photos of her. Who is the little pixie peeking from behind the tree? ;peek:

Thank you! Funny thing - I didn't even notice that Madeline's little face was in the picture :lol: I had to go back to see what you were talking about! That little pixie is my Madeline, who is incredibly jealous that I'm taking all these pictures of Ellie, and none of her. I promised I'd maker her something asap ;)