Tiffany asked me way back in December if I would make a dress for Emma's Baby Dedication on Mother's Day. Are you kidding? Of course I would! In our Baptist Churches, Baby Dedications are fairly simple. They are happening more often on Mother's Day and any baby born during the past year is presented to the church by his or her parents along with special scripture readings and sometimes responsive readings by the congregation. There is a special prayer and a small Bible with the babies name engraved on it is often given to the parents.
My only instructions were, "Make something that you think she would look pretty in." Well, along with that and the fact that Emma is one of the prettiest babies ever, that left things pretty wide open. Since Emma is turning 6 months old this week (I know, hard to believe) I thought it was time for her first smocked to the shoulder dress.
I made the dress from white Imperial Batiste with a scalloped Madeira hem and yellow bullion roses. Anna noticed during our visit that yellow looks good on Emma which is unusual for a baby, so we decided to go with that.
I don't have a pattern for a smocked to the shoulder dress, so I used pattern #131. I cut a piece of fabric about 42" wide and the length of the yoke and skirt together. I pleated and smocked the yoke area and then using a small straight stitch, stitched around the outer edges of the yoke pattern piece. Using a small zigzag stitch, I stitched again on top of the straight stitch then cut out the yoke next to the stitching. It always makes me nervous cutting through the smocking, but I have been doing this for 20 years and it works every time! This is also a project that having a Lace Shaping Board is extremely helpful.
I would love to be in Arizona for the Dedication but since Anna and her watermelon (her words not mine) are about ready to do something, we thought it best that I stay here.
*Our power situation is now back to normal and I am in the process of restocking the freezer which has never been so clean before. I still get excited when I flip a light switch and something happens!
Michie'
5 comments:
Just beautiful Grandma!
Hi Michie! Sorry that you're missing the dedication. The dress is beautiful! Wendy
Emma's dedication dress is so sweet! Blessings to her and all of you on her special day.
Cannot wait to hear more news on that "watermelon"!
Happy Mother's and Grandmother's Day to you!
Oh my goodness!! What a lovely dress! Thanks for showing how you made the smocking go to the sholder. Is the back smocked too? I have only smocked for a short time and I'm enjoying reading you instructions you give.
Thanks for the time.
Angela
I am glad you have your power back. The dress is so lovely. What a shame you wont be there to see it. I hope you get lots of photos of her in it.
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