MidnightOilSmockers

EXTREME MEETING

American Doll Fundraiser:

And the Winner is…

Beth was the lucky winner of our chapter's fundraiser this year! 

A special 'THANKS' goes to all of the families, friends and other generous donors who supported our efforts. Our service project of Wee Care Gowns donated to local hospitals for the Bereavement Programs is well funded.

Trena, chairperson of this year's fundraiser and Brenda, incoming President watch over Roberta, outgoing President as she pulls the winning ticket from the purple treasure box.

2nd place: Teresa is beyond delighted...

3rd place:

winning ticket was sold by member Terry and she will hand deliver those items.

Program: Handkerchief Wee Care Gowns

Joy presented a workshop on her design of Wee Care Gowns made from men's handkerchief. This project can also be located in SAGANews vol 37 issue 2 pg. 12-14.

Joy begins her lecture of how these sweet gowns came to be created. They can be machine embroidered, hand embroidered or smocked. The front, back and sleeves are pre-hemmed by the manufacturer of the handkerchief and by simply following her directions for cutting out the pattern; the seamstress needs only to sew 2 side seams and a neckline casing. 

The members, anxious to get started, listen attentively to the instructions. 

Joy shares that the hand or machine embroidery can be accomplished prior to or after the construction is completed. Below you can see she has hand embroidered a feather stitch using the handkerchief's pre-marked lines.

The example below indicates how perfect placement of the pattern pieces along the pre-hemmed kerchief allows for the center back rolled hem to also be finished for the seamstress.

Throughout the workshop, members were sewing, ironing and asking specific questions to Joy.

Program: SAGA Trunk Show

The 2016 Trunk Show featured items from the national organization's membership which displays a variety of smocking and heirloom sewing as well as 18 smocking variations from the Lacis Museum 'Fabric Manipulation and Beyond' exhibit. Are you aware there are approximately 20 different types of smocking? Bargello (2 forms), Diagonal, Background, Continental (center sampler in below picture, created by our own member, Roberta for the Lacis Museum), Italian, Reverse, Crossover, English/Geometric, Bulgarian, Flower/Canadian, Picture, Lattice and Lozenge (also known as North American Smocking but separate in their own right as well) Lace, Clamshell, Counterchange, Vertical, Free Form, Jigsaw, Template, Direct/French Smocking. You can visit the Lacis Museum and view the samplers on the website.http://www.lacismuseum.org click on 'previous exhibits', scroll down to 'smocking', then find 'smocking techniques slide show' and click through pictures.

Show and Share:

Susan has sewn a coordinating Christmas quilt pillow. What a stash of fabric she must have in her closet, under the bed or perhaps in the extra bedroom now that the kiddos are out of the house.

















This precious day gown was made from 'Baby's Smocked Layette' by Old Fashioned Baby using striped Swiss dimity. The pattern includes the smocking design. Roberta shares that she added about 1 and 1/4 inches to the front pattern piece which gave her a few extra pleats, but didn't add that much fullness to the front panel.

Is there anything sweeter for a little girl than a bishop? Chery Williams' 'Baby Bishops' is perfect for any sewist, whether a beginner or a seasoned seamstress. Roberta used a Liberty lawn fabric, Elizabeth and an AS&E smocking design 'Beginnings'. The lace at the bottom adds such a dainty feminine effect. 

Another Creations by Michie, #138, made by Nikki. For this outfit she used a pale blue pique with ivory trim. She created her own smocking design to add that special touch. 

Move over Prince George, Deacon is about to make his first appearance and he will be wearing smocking!