Friday, April 27, 2012

Debbie Glenn's Classes for Midnight Oil Smockers

We had a BLAST spending time with Debbie Glenn from Love and Stitches.  It's a Stitch in Humble, allowed us to use their classroom for a great time of sewing and learning from one of the best.  Enjoy our pictures:


Debbie Glenn posing with the Saturday class.
One member made cupcake pincushions as a door prize.  Some ladies were very happy winners!

Samples for our Stacked Cable Success!

More samples to admire.

Heirloom dresses to make you drool.


The details are very difficult to photograph, but they are exquisite. 
Beautiful samples.



Debbie is a hands-on teacher, showing us each how to accomplish our task.




We had to be serious to finish everything over the three days.  No one finished all the projects, but we sure had fun!

More hands-on teaching.

We kept a room supplied with students and had a great time.

Debbie teaching us a technique with stacked cables.

Gathering lace for our Dainty Heirloom Diaper Set.

We will be planning another class soon, stay posted and join us for a day of fun, learning, and sewing.











Thursday, April 19, 2012

Picture Show and Share

An important element in our meetings is Show and Share.  We bring our completed projects and show them off and talk about them.  Sometimes it encourages us to see an old pattern in a new way or experiment with fabric that we might not have used before.  Sometimes we must part with our beloved creations before a meeting, so we only have a picture.  Here are a few "Picture Show and Shares."



The dress is called "Pretty Poppet" from AS&E Issue #81. The smocking plate is from the pattern.  The only real change made was changing the scalloped neck and back to straight because the scallops just didn't come out correctly.


Below is a dress from Michie, pattern #104.  It is made from Imperial Broadcloth and smocked with "Pint Sized Posies" by Cross Eyed Cricket.  Our member writes about her changes:

1.  Fullness was added to the front skirt because I thought that the fullness called for by the pattern was not enough.  The pattern called for 36" for the fullness and I increased it to the full 45" width.  I thought that the pleats were not close enough with the 36".  

2.  For the sleeves I trimmed the eyelet down to about 1&1/4 yard and attached as if it was an edging.  The original width of the eyelet was about 6 inches and it was perfect for the overlay. 

 The dress is a 12 month size.






Beautiful work ladies!





Friday, April 13, 2012

Finished Class Projects, Ribbon Pinwheel Jacket

In the fall, our program was Sew Beautiful's Ribbon Pinwheel Jacket.  One of our members made the jacket as we watched and learned from her experience.  It was fun and we have had two jackets completed in our group.  The original pattern is from Sew Beautiful, Issue No. 128.


The above jacket was from brown and hot pink corduroy.  The ribbon detail was in hot pink which matched the ruffle fabric skirt.  I think our member's granddaughter was happy with the results.


The other project was made from blue corduroy and orange and cream ribbon.  The skirt is Oliver+S 2+2 skirt.  This little girl is happy with her skirt and jacket.

Has anyone else made this jacket?

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Easter Dresses

Thoughts of Easter dresses fill any smocker mind with a happy smile and wishes to make many more.  This is an example of one member's Easter dress design.


The dress pattern is Carol from Children's Corner.  It is a classic dress and great for adding a touch of smocking at the center neckline.  



The print is a blue and green plaid that is also timeless.  


Enjoy your Easter and share your beautiful Easter dresses with us!