Boy's Bow Tie Pattern

This is a project that you might already have all the supplies you need on hand.  It is also a quick and easy project with very little machine sewing.  Since Grandda was more than happy to donate a necktie for the project, I chose the Christmas tie that he wore for years.

 I think that this may be upcycling at it's best.  A tie that has lost it's usefulness or in this case it's "cool" factor now has a new purpose in life!

Click here for the free downloadable Bow Tie instructions.  

Michie'

Smocking Makes The News!

If you have watched any news at all over the last few weeks you might have noticed that a certain famous baby has been spotted wearing lovely smocked outfits.  Although smocking is a very old technique' it became very popular some 30 years ago when the baby's daddy appeared in public in smocked outfits.  Those pictures way back then, and the fact that I had 3 little boys had a lot to do with my learning to smock. 

Because "classic" never goes out of style, these designs have been in my collection for quite some time along with a sailboat smocking design.  The bubble is pattern #115 and the dress is pattern #131.  Click here for the free down loadable smocking design.

Michie'

 

Free "Baby Bunnies" Smocking Design

I can't resist sharing the smocking design for these sweet baby bunnies.  A simple old fashioned look without overpowering your special little one.  Click here for the free down loadable design for the the straight yoke version, and here for the bishop style.

I would love to hear what you have planned for Easter sewing!

Michie'

Baby Bunnies To Embroidery

Is your Spring sewing all planned out?  I'm still making a final decision on a special Easter dress.  In the meantime, here are some ideas for a simple baby bunny embroidery design. 

Classic dress #131

Classic Bubble #115

Baby Dress #122

Dedication Bubble #126

Pleated Daygown #119

A smocked version of the bunnies is almost ready to share.  :)

Michie'

Free "Tiny Hearts" Smocking Design

The "Tiny Hearts" smocking design works up quickly and is perfect  for those new to picture smocking. Click here for the free down loadable design.

A few sketches just to get your creative juices flowing.  I'm leaning toward the jumper for our girl and I just happen to have the perfect pink fabric!

Michie'

Free Snowman Smocking Design

'

Finally the "Snowmen" smocking design is ready to share!  Click here for the free download copy.

Michie'

Holly Embroidery Design

A Holly embroidery design for your Christmas stitching.

 Shadow stitch with French Knots.  DMC: 321, 699

                                                                                                                                

    Satin stitch with Granito Knots. DMC: 321,3346,3347

Just a few ideas to get you going.  And what am I stitching on these days?  A birthday jumper for the girl and smocking her Christmas dress!

Michie'

Just Add A Blouse

Expecting cooler weather soon and hate to pack away those sundresses that still fit?  Just add a blouse!  The sundress is made using pattern #132 or #136, blouse #140-S or #140-L, and the smocked balloon design is a free download.

Michie'

Candy Corn Smocking Design

 Pattern #135

Pattern #115

A Fall favorite around my house is Candy Corn!  I learned a few years ago that if I use it in decorations it mysteriously disappears. 

So, for the longtime and new blog readers, I just wanted to do a little rerun of the free "Candy Corn" smocking design.  Click here to go to the post with the design.

Michie'

Free Smocked Pumpkins For A Straight Yoke

Little smocked pumpkins suitable for a straight yoke.  If you are  new to Picture Smocking or a little out of practice, this is a great design to start with!  Click here for the free down loadable design.

Michie'

Free "Little Smocked Pumpkins" Smocking Design

Here it is, "Little Smocked Pumpkins" in time for Fall.  The design is suitable for a bishop style dress or a straight yoke.  Click here for the free down loadable design!

Michie'

Jumper With Smocked Pocket

Sometimes a touch of smocking somewhere other than the front yoke adds interest to a garment.  This little jumper and blouse was made using pattern #140 and is just right for Spring.  The jumper is fully lined with pink and white seersucker, which also makes it reversible.

Less smocking also tends to be more suitable for the older girls.
Click here for the free downloadable instructions for the smocked pocket.

Michie'

Free Valentine's Day Smocking Design

While braving freezing rain to stand in a long line at Hobby Lobby to buy DMC floss, #437 to be exact, I noticed that the seasonal decorations are out for Valentine's Day.  I have loved Valentine's Day ever since I discovered in first grade that not only do you get to make paper hearts, you also get to give cards to your friends, and there is candy!  What is not to love?  

Since blog readership has doubled since last year, I knew that this sweet smocked bishop would be new to many of you. Click here for the free downloadable smocking design. 

Michie'

The Christmas Dress Rerun

Sometimes you just get extremely lucky and the dress that was a little big last year works this year with a major hem let down!  We are going to pretend that the sleeves were intended to be 3/4" length and with a white sweater, she is ready for a Christmas party. Click here for the free smocking design.

Michie'

Dedication Baby Jumpsuit

Miles was quite handsome in his dedication outfit made by Mommy.  Mommy used Baby Jumpsuit pattern #138 and the free "Cross" smocking design.  Made from white Imperial Batiste, not only was the outfit stunning but also practical.

Mommy might be fairly new to smocking, but she certainly is not a beginner.  Great job Carrie!

Michie'

A Jon-Jon For The Girl?

All it takes is a tiny bit of redrafting while cutting out the Jon-Jon pattern to make it suitable for a girl!  This girl version was made out of green and white seersucker and lined with a pretty cotton floral print.  The lightening bug is from Bunnycup Embroidery.

Mommy loves how cool and comfortable it is and has requested more.  Just what a sewing Nana likes to hear!  Adding buttons on the print lining also made it reversible.  

Click here for the free down loadable tutorial for adapting the pattern.

Michie'

The Inchworm Sunsuit

 Just because summer has already arrived doesn't mean that the little people around here have stopped growing, so I have had to scramble to stitch up a few more warm weather outfits with growing room.  

I had some light weight cotton chambray that had been on the shelf way too long.  Pattern #132 always goes together quickly, and how about a hand embroidered inchworm for a fun summer touch!

Someone is still pretty excited over being able to walk!  :)

Click here to download the free "Inchworm" embroidery design.  

Michie'

"Sailboats" Smocking Design

 Perfect for summer!  A Jon-Jon made by pattern #137 out of blue micro check gingham.  Wouldn't it be cute at the beach?

Click here for the free "Sailboats" smocking design!

Michie'

Emma's Lambs

On a recent blog I answered the question, "Can you Picture Smock on a bishop style dress?" The answer was yes, and here is a dress that I made for Emma last year. This was one of those times that I had an idea in my head and couldn't quite find what I wanted so I got out the graph paper and began to play. And the result was "Emma's Lambs."

Blue gingham is always a favorite and I always have plenty on hand. The little white lambs show up nicely and what baby doesn't look good in blue?

Click here for the free design!

Michie'

Christian's Christmas Outfit

Thank goodness that Jon-Jons go together rather quickly. Christian's Christmas outfit is completed and best of all, he is really cute in it! The Jon-Jon is made out of the same micro checked gingham as Emma's dress with a white Imperial Broadcloth smocked insert. The shirt is also made from Imperial Broadcloth and is an old pattern that I had on hand.

You might be wondering why the boy doesn't have on his cute white dress shoes that Nana Shay bought him. Well, it was almost nap time and I saw no need in making him mad trying to get him to uncurl those sweet baby toes so that we could put shoes on for a picture. He appreciates it when I let him do what he wants! :)

What is more Christmasy than a station wagon with a Christmas tree strapped to the top? While designing the plate there were several hard choices that had to be made such as how much smocking or in other words, how busy did I want the design to look? So, the decision was made to leave it at one lone station wagon. What do you think the reason was?

A. I didn't want to overpower a 6 month outfit and distract from the cute guy who would be wearing it.

B. Time was and issue, so I stop smocking while there was still time to finish the garment.

C. It is a station wagon driving in white out conditions!

Actually, Anna and I both agreed on "A", but I think that the others are valid reasons. More is not always better especially with sewing! I still like the simple classic designs and plan on sticking to them!

You can click here for the free smocking design!

* Please disregard any suspicious looking e-mails from me! My account has been hacked and we are in the process of taking care of it.

Michie'