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Lattice Smocked Top

I did it again.  I smocked.

This week for Project Run and Play we were to take a plain white sheet and make anything we wanted.  I bought (gasp!) a sheet really cheap since I don’t have any plain white ones I’d be willing to part with here.  I just bought the twin size and even with that size there was a ton of fabric to play with!

I knew I wanted to dye the fabric and purple and green were the dyes I had on hand.  I cut (really I tore) the sheet in half and dyed each piece separately.  I dyed the bag too, hehe.

I really love the color the purple turned out.  The green is a much nicer color than it shows in this picture!  It’s lovely too.  At the risk of making yet another PURPLE clothing item for Bean, I decided the green would have to wait for another project. 

I had no idea what I wanted to make with the fabric once it was dyed though.  I thought I’d like to smock since I knew I wanted very little embellishment and to leave the base of the outfit simple.  That’s what I like about smocking.  It is seemingly fancy, yet left on its own it is just a simple twist of fabric that gives some interest.

This time around I spaced the grid about 1/2 an inch apart whereas last time it was a little under 3/8 of an inch. I definitely think bigger is better in this case.  It takes some time to hand smock, but it looks so much nicer than the basic machine smocked stitch.  Don’t get me wrong, I’ve used machine smocking before and love it, but there is something satisfying about knowing you’ve hand stitched.

A top was in order since I made two dresses last week.  I just cut out some rectangles similar to how I made Bean’s bishop dress and sewed them together.  Bean is still in need of fall clothing so there was no question I’d make this long sleeved.  Short flutter sleeves kept calling out to me, but I settled for an elastic gather at the wrist.  I’m so glad I did.  The big puffy shoulders slim arm and gathered wrist are so cute on a baby.  It gives the top a fairytale feeling.

I haven’t done a nice wide boatneck for Bean so I thought this would be the perfect way to showcase the smocking.  The back has a keyhole opening with a crossover snap.  That way I can adjust the snap (sewn in) as she grows so this top should fit for a while.  I also added a pleat on either side of the opening so the stiff sheet fabric would hang nicely as she grows.  I purposely made it big all around since the cooler weather is only just starting.

Bean has become very aware of airplanes recently and has to point out every single one.  Even when we’re inside.  It’s amazing how we learn to tune a lot of that stuff out as we grow older.  Most of the time it takes me a minute to realize that’s what she hears, hehe.

In case anyone is wondering, the pants she is wearing are the Is It Summer Yet pants that I made back in April.  I’m so happy I made them big.  They fit perfectly now.  I definitely need to whip up a few more pair for fall/winter.

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Comments

  1. Sparkling

    September 29, 2012 at 8:47 pm

    I love the detail of that smocking!!

    Reply
  2. Bratling

    October 4, 2012 at 7:42 am

    Love the smocking. How do you get the lattice effect?

    Reply
  3. Narelle Heath

    October 4, 2012 at 7:48 am

    The smocking is gorgeous. I like the puff of the sleeve too. Too cute!

    Reply
  4. Melissa (Melly Sews)

    October 4, 2012 at 4:21 pm

    I want a smocking tutorial!

    Reply
  5. Ajaire

    October 5, 2012 at 1:48 pm

    Melissa, I finally got the pictures I needed to finish the tute I started months ago haha. Look out for the tute this week. THANKS!

    Reply
  6. OnceUpona Sew

    January 7, 2013 at 12:27 pm

    Wow this is so pretty! I love the smocking,you nailed it!

    Reply

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I have two patterns coming out in the next issue o I have two patterns coming out in the next issue of @onethimble and hereโ€™s a first look at one of them!  The Diamondback Cami & Crop view A cami ๐Ÿ’• 
This traditional camisole shape has a shelf lining (perfect for swim!) and a fun twist on the reverse side.  Fold-over elastic for the edges and straps makes this a quick sew with clean finishes and has sizes newborn through 16years. ๐Ÿ˜˜
One Thimble Issue 28 releases for preorders on March 11th so head over to get your preorder in now ๐Ÿ˜

#designsbycallajaire #dbcadiamondback #ot28 #onethimbleissue28 #pdfpatterns #pdfsewingpattern #sewingforkids #sewingfortweens #sewingswimwear
It was so nice to be able to be outside after napt It was so nice to be able to be outside after naptime in some sunshine and warmer weather. Spring is coming ๐Ÿ’•๐Ÿ’•
It was so fun pulling things from my scrap bin ear It was so fun pulling things from my scrap bin earlier this week for the #fabriceggstravaganza hosted by @postalthreads. Lots of memories and fun textures like @shannonfabrics Cuddleยฉ minky and Embrace double gauze. 
I love how fun the fabric eggs were to plan and how quickly they sew together. Now I canโ€™t wait for @yarn_n_paint to get her box of eggs so I can share how they turned out. 
Also Iโ€™m already planning more to make cause letโ€™s face it, when I said that I pulled from โ€œmy scrap bin,โ€ we all know thereโ€™s way more than one scrap bin ๐Ÿ˜†๐Ÿ˜†
This baby wearing a shirt from back in the day tha This baby wearing a shirt from back in the day that she found in the hand me down bin. Itโ€™s wrinkled but still cute! ๐Ÿ’• Scroll to see her sister wearing it with a bow belt  back in February 2014 ๐Ÿ˜
So excited about these patterns in testing. Sneak So excited about these patterns in testing. Sneak peek of this amazing fold over elastic from @minervadotcom ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜
#dbcadiamondback #designsbycallajaire #sneakpeek
We had a fun craft night last week with the @redee We had a fun craft night last week with the @redeemer.lutheran moms group. Shout out to the ladies who braved the glitter vinyl/felt combo ๐Ÿ˜†๐Ÿ˜† 
The finished product turned out lovely ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜
Testing is going well for the new patterns and Iโ€™m especially loving this @wolfandrabbitfabrics plaid right now ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜
#sneakpeek #dbcadiamondback #designsbycallajaire #patterntesting
This little cutie begs for โ€œpictchaโ€ any time This little cutie begs for โ€œpictchaโ€ any time I ask the nine year old for fit pics of a design. 
Sneak peek of the #DbCADiamondback ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜
#designsbycallajaire
The Diamondback Cami & Crop AND the coordinating D The Diamondback Cami & Crop AND the coordinating Diamondback Leggings are ready for testing!  Testing will begin on Tuesday the 9th and will end on Saturday the 20th.  These are two separate patterns, but will be tested in the same group simultaneously.  You can sign up for whichever (or both) you'd like, but as long as you complete at least one final version you will get both final patterns ๐Ÿ˜˜
Works great together for dancewear or sport and as separates for casualwear.  The Cami & Crop are also able to made as swimwear ๐Ÿ˜, but FYI this pattern doesn't include a swim bottom. (I do have a FREE #classicmaillotswimskirt available in the shop though ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ) 
Depending on the fabrics, the crop can also be used as an undergarment bralette.
The Diamondback Cami & Crop and view A of the Diamondback Leggings require fold-over elastic.  You can use any knit for both patterns with at least 75% stretch, but the leggings need 4-way stretch.  Sizing nb-16years

Sign up via the link in profile or here: https://forms.gle/zw9MGkoeFpmdvCJr7 
#dbcadiamondback #designsbycallajaire #pdfpatterntesting
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I've always loved making. At an early age I started cross stitching and sewing and I taught myself to knit and crochet during college. When our seven year old daughter Bean was born I was filled with all sorts of inspiration, so now I find ways to manage my crafty time and treasure those moments. Though sewing is what I'm most passionate about these days, there's something about the portability of yarn crafts and embroidery that keeps drawing me back in.

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