Blue and white, always pretty and sweet. Whether on the bishop bubble #142 or on the bishop dress #143, the smocking design presents well without being overpowering.
The smocking design is still in the works, but in the meantime another design could be used. And the variation? Simply start and stop the bottom rows of smocking at the sleeve seams. Not only does it give a different look, it also allows the angel sleeves to stand up a bit more.
Michie'
Sometimes a project needs something bolder than delicate embroidery. Fabric paint, heart stencils, and Cotton Pearl #5 embroidery thread were perfect for a Valentine's Day apron. Since I used what I had on hand for the project, which did not include heart stencils, I used heart cookie cutters and freezer paper. With the shiny side down, the freezer paper heart "stencils" were cut out with small scissors and pressed onto the apron with a hot iron. The only trick to the fabric paint was to brush the paint from the outer edge of the stencil toward the center to prevent it from bleeding under the edges of the stencil. I let the paint dry for about four hours, then began stitching. A basic Running Stitch and Back Stitch to outline the hearts was all that was needed!
I like to keep thread and paints on hand so the cost of the project was the apron for $4.99 at Hobby Lobby. This would be a great project for someone new to embroidery and easy to do with kids. You can just let your imagination run wild on what you would like to add hearts to. A few of the many things I thought of are tote a bag, onesie, sweatshirt, tea towel, or placemats. Just have fun with it.
Michie'
Valentine stitching from past and present. :)
Michie'
Fifteen years ago I slowly began to turn my hobby into a small business. With years of sewing experience and having worked in a specialty fabric store I knew what sewers were looking for and I had the vision. I drafted the first two patterns on the kitchen table, tested, and worked countless hours on the directions and illustrations. With $200 in hand I found a local printer who was willing to print small amounts at a time and I was ready to test the waters at the wholesale market. I was nervous. Very, very nervous, but a kind person offered a corner of her booth and walked me through the process. And the patterns? They sold out!
Now 15 years later I still work from home, the same local printers have become like family, and I have two great helpers. We are looking forward to introducing a new updated website along with new patterns, embroidery, and smocking designs in the near future. And we will continue to produce classic patterns in order to keep the creative art of sewing alive.
Thank you for your support. You have enabled me to pursue my passion and make a dream come true!
Michie'
#142
Choosing floss colors for smocking on pink fabric can be a bit tricky. I often use white along with other shades of pink, but for this project I wanted something a bit different. Pink and gray are a popular color combination for clothing and home decorating, so why not for smocking? DMC #415 gray and #604 pink looks nice on the pink Imperial Broadcloth fabric without being too bold or too pale.
The bishop bubble was made using pattern #142 and the smocking design is included in the pattern. Smocked hearts, just right for Valentine's Day!
Michie'
