Pattern: self drafted
Fabric: ‘Sandpipers’ by Cloud 9 from the ‘Beyond the Sea‘ collection
There was a bit more sewing for Little Rosebud before our trip, a new sundress to welcome in summer…
It’s organic and lemon yellow, with stripes and sandpipers and smocking and vintage ribbon. In other words, it’s the most perfect sundress for summer ever.
Did you see that?!? Smocking! I smocked!! I’m a smocker!!!! I said I’d do it, and I did!
I don’t have a pleater, so it was both hand-smocked and hand-pleated. I used the amazing tutorial on Marie Grace Designs. It’s awesome. She’s awesome. And while the pleating felt like it was taking me forever, in the grand scheme of things, it really wasn’t that bad, not bad at all (though in my heart of hearts I know that I still really do want a pleater).
And the smocking? Well, the smocking was so freakin’ much fun. So. much. fun. I have always loved smocking, even as a little girl, when I had two little smocked dresses that I wore constantly. When I fell down the steps and the bowl in my hands shattered as I landed on it, I think I cried more over the blood on my dress then the glass in my chest. My favorite style is the bishop dress, but I’ve read that they are the hardest to make, so I’m working my way up to it.
In case you couldn’t tell, I’m totally in love. My girl and a new fabulous craft to cover her in, what’s not to love?
SMOCKING!! Love it!! Oh how I want to smock but am so afraid.
That dress is perfect on her!
Well done Melody. That is something I would not even attempt.
What a beautiful dress!!!
And I love the bathing suit, too… I totally agree about bikinis and little girls – plus I think it must be inhibiting for them to try and keep that tiny top in place, with no cleavage!
You are I sure do find fun in a lot of the same things. I can’t believe I have never done any smocking, I just don’t have time to commit yet…
Yellow is so nice. That dress is wonderful!
I started reading your blog from the fb link (i hope you don’t mind!)
That dress is adorable!
This little dress is wonderful!!! It makes me want to start one for my little girl right now… but I have 7 craft projects already started .. I will have to put it on my must do’s!!! Thanks for sharing.
oh, it is TOO lovely!!!!!!
Congrats on the smocked dress! I love it! I’ve only been smocking for three years for my little girl…it is so great to see someone else want to keep the tradition going!