October 20, 1997
e-Mail: mainfairy@smockingbooks.com
Website: Garden Fairies Smocking & Needlearts Catalog
Smocking Newsletter - Beth-Katherine Kaiman, copyright 1997-2004, all rights reserved. Please respect my creativity and hard work and ask permission before you copy something from these newsletters for your non profit goup, I always ask that you quote me correctly and give me credit with a way for people to get back to me. Thank you. IF you wish to quote me in a venture for profit please contact me separately concerning royalties.
In This Issue:
I am busy making American Girl doll clothes for my daughter and niece!! What fun!! Its been a while since my machine has been out and it is so refreshing this time of year. Sewing is such a stress reliever!!! I am just searching thru my many yards of my fabric collection and sewing up a storm!!! Alas, I am running out of time. Ah, but my daughter has a birthday in February...............Have a very Merry Christmas. And keep those wonderful newsletters acoming!! Lydia, LydC
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The class I took taught us to do a Xmas ornament. She pleated green and red and white fabric for us. We did 3 different stitches on them and covered a Styrofoam ball with it . We did an outline stitch and then 3 rows of cable stitches then a baby wave then pearls then baby wave cable and outline another baby wave then the last row was a outline stitch. It came out real nice. Love and peace, Lettie Lou
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Just to let you know that I wasn't ignoring your notice. I wish that I was spending late nights sewing. I get up at 4:30 AM to swim at 5 at the YMCA Masters to keep in shape. School stuff, volunteer work, daughter in "Nutcracker" (mouse) etc., etc., etc. I miss my sewing machine!!! It is in the guest room below early holiday shopping, to the left of my drafting table and a few feet to the right of wrapping paper, bows and ribbons. SewSmile:(
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Beth, I'm working on the Children's Corner smocked coat for my great niece and hope to do a pillow for a special friend when I finish up the coat. Loretta Gaschler
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Dear Beth,
I am going to be trying to make some outfits for my DDs' AG dolls. I also want to make stockings for the five of us this year. I think I have made them for just about every other family member. There are two quilt tops to finish if I run out of something to do. LOL Rebecca Ruhltex
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Dear Beth-Katherine,
My Christmas projects are: a velvet and plaid taffeta dress for my
8-yr-old and a matching one for her doll; a smocked doll dress and fleece snowsuit for the two baby dolls; Victorian patchwork Christmas stocking ornaments for exchanges; smocked and beaded Xmas balls for the teachers; a patchwork Noah's Ark vest; a doggy raincoat (commissioned by one friend for another); and recovering my sofa cushions before my parents and sister arrive on Christmas Eve!! Already made are a pair of flannel pajama shorts for hubby and a black and white plaid version of Gooseberry Hill's Lilac Dress for myself. My sewing machine ALWAYS needs a professional cleaning after the holidays -- wonder why! --Kaethe Pittman Ft. Lewis, WA kaethe@juno.com (Kaethe M Pittman)
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I plan to make two appliqued collars with the Christmas bows from Love and Stitches. I am thinking of turning them into shadow applique.
I just finished a folk angel wall hanging with 5 panels each with a different applique: stars, a flying angel, a Christmas quote, Christmas trees, and a button embellished bottom. I finished a pillow with a reversible flap that buttons on and is a V shape: one side is Christmas fabric, the other has an appliqued flower for year round use. I am finishing a table runner with Seminole piecing in the center with a cat theme for a fellow cat lover. I am making a hanky angel for a friend's friend and embroidering with the machine "guardian angel." Shirley in VA Sew lace
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I have a custom sewing business and my most pressing project is a Victorian Santa Costume for our local flower shop - no smocking involved. I didn't find a pattern for it so I am using a bathrobe pattern and trimming it appropriately. It is a deep red velvet with a wide band of green brocade trim around the bottom and a printed wire ribbon around the edge alongside the white fluff. The robe will be open in the front to expose the quilted gold lame long "dickey" that should look like an under dress. A matching little bag for candy canes. I made an elf costume for this flower shop last year and they will look good together. Sasha@monmouth.com (Sasha Mitchell)
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Beth,
I am making Little Formalities in a snowman print for my two daughters, (3 and 1 year olds) one in red and one blue. I'm smocking the snowman plate that was in the last issue of Sew Beautiful, with a few minor changes. I also hope to do a sweatshirt for my 7 year old son, and maybe applique a shirt for my 11 year old son. (Those go together so quick!) I am also making the girls white jackets with snowmen embroidered on them and matching snowman scarfs and hats and gloves. I am having fun with this, but am getting pressured with the time going by so fast!!! (These were originally fall outfits that have now become Christmas outfits!) Paige Destin1095
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I made my daughter a Ellen McCarn Bishop, white fabric with Holly and Berries on it. I then smocked it in green and did a row of holly and berries. Then I pin stitched the hem and did a row of red French Knots underneath. I was trying out some new stitches for the fun of it. I had already picture smocked two dresses for a client. I am also doing a red microcheck bishop and a green microcheck bishop for two of my nieces. Evelyn Wheeler ecw@gate.net
P.S. Maybe we could do a Easter idea newsletter in late January then we won't have to wait a year to try out something new!
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Hi, It has been a while since I wrote in to the newsletter....
I have several projects in the works for Christmas... A purple
beaded/smocked dress for my daughter, smocked nightgowns for the little girls '2' and jammies for the boys '2'. Happy Holidays to everyone. Michelle Binder ashley@TRANSPORT.COM
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Hi Beth - I hate to say this, but I'm not doing anything smocked for
Christmas. This is the year of the polar fleece at my house. I've made for embroidered quillows, 2 hooded pullovers and 1 cowl neck with zipper. I have been using my Memorycraft 9000 to do embroidery on everything.
Betty in Meadville, PA bhallett@toolcity.net
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I am making 2 sweatshirts with smocked inserts of penguins (Preston's Penguins by Ellen McCarn) for my 13 month old twin nephews. I am also working on something for my 8 year old daughter with some handwoven re wool that my parents brought me from Ireland this fall- Either a jumper or a skirt with a crazy quilt vest to go with. I need to decide soon. Last- I am making both a boy and a girl set of bonnet and booties for the nephew or niece I expect in the spring. Maureen manewman@prodigy.net
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Hello Beth,
In response to your query, I am working on gingerbread houses. I have been working on gingerbread houses for 100 years, or so it seems. I long so much to get back to smocking. Maybe next year I should start my Christmas smocking in February. I hope to get back to the smocking chats after next week. I really miss them as well.
Well, only 7 more to go............... Rhoda SheridR
(Rhoda is a professional cake design teacher for Michaels. She has delighted us in chats with stories about decorating cakes with smocking.)
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Beth:
I'm still smocking and assembling doll dresses for 18" American Girl Dolls. Several of the dresses are for Christmas gifts. (I'm still struggling with the piping, too. It takes me as long to do the piping as the rest of the assembly).
I'm also going to make a miniature Christmas quilt for my best friend for Christmas ... since I haven't completed her rose applique quilt I started (before doll clothes and smocking entered my life)! Hugs,JoanWilsn
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Hi Beth
I am making my mother-in-law a blouse with a smocked insert on the front (starting from the shoulder and tapering down to meet buttonhole band) the rate I am going, she will probably get it as a new years present! I smocked my five year old daughters Christmas dress (in black watch tartan) during the summer. AS&E have some lovely patterns for smocked baubles from their 'gifts' book which I might try if I get the time.
Merry Christmas to everyone everywhere.
(I wrote to Sally asking her to further explain the smocking on her mother's blouse as it sounded very interesting.)
Sally (England)
S.A.Harmsworth@open.ac.uk
Yes. Starting wide at the shoulders and tapering down at about a 45 degree (ish ish) angle. The material, which was given to me, is white, quite fine (polyesterish) so I have backed the smocking insert with fine interlining (to give it more bulk and less pleats to smock!). I am back-smocking all rows and will smock the front (in a scheme yet to be decided) with white silk thread and the odd pearl bead. It should be subtle but beautiful! I can't believe I am putting all this effort in for my mother-in-law! Sally
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geoffrey.nash@hunterlink.net.au (Geoffrey and Phillipa) (Australia)
Hi Beth-Katherine
I'm planning to make some of the Christmas balls in the new Smocking &Embroidery magazine. I'm also working on a smocked basket liner. Regards, Phillipa
Oh Phillipa you are such a tease, we don't have issue 41 yet in our hands like you do.
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Every Christmas I make my Granddaughter her "Santa" nightgown. It is the one she wears to bed when Santa comes. This years is a bishop on allover Santa print flannel. This is Morgan's 3rd Christmas. I have also made her a Blue & Green Plaid print jumper using Mary De by the Childrens Corner. I have also made her a long-sleeve smocked dress. Non-smocked......Return address labels for each month on the computer using pictures that indicate the month...example Flags for July, Easter eggs for April. Appliquéd Sweatshirts and jumpers for the adults. dad-emd@worldnet.att.net (Dan & Earlynne)
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Beth - I'm planning my first smocked piece for an Easter dress for my 2 year old. Christmas finds me making pj's and dresses for my twins and their American Girl Dolls which Santa is bringing. If I have any time left I'm making Grinch who stole x-mas stockings for my family - we're big grinch fans. Sorry I wasn't more helpful but thanks for asking. Holly SavvysMom
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I am smocking a liner to put into a basket. I am not using X-mas fabric as I want the my mom ( who it is for) to be able to display it all year. I measured the area I need to cover, multiplied it by 3, pleated it with the fabric folded in half so the top edge is finished. I will then glue gun it onto the edges of the basket. Then make a padded liner for the bottom. I am going to fill it with goodies she and my dad like, figurines, and movie gift certificates and snack food. My folks tend to buy whatever they want, so it's always hard to buy for them. Bercher
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Hi,
My mother and I are making little girls dresses for nieces aged 18 months or so. They have a smocking panel in the bodice and smocking on the end of the short sleeve. They will each get two. The first being a classic red and green Christmas check and the second being made from that lovely aqua pima cotton and linen fabric you had on special. FinulaM
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For Christmas this year I am making a cherry red dress for the two
year old daughter of a friend. It has a white pinafore with cherry red smocking on an inset and is trimmed around the outside edges with a wide Battenburg lace edging To complete the outfit, there is a matching red bonnet. The same smocking pattern is on the bonnet, but in crisp white. The bonnet has a smaller Battenburg lace trim. helen.murtagh@citicorp.com
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I am working on crazy patch pillows for my folks and my in-laws for Christmas. I used a scanned photo of all the kids when we were little that I printed out on fabric, and incorporated some nice scraps of silks and brocades that were left over from the last few years of projects into the crazy patch design. They are turning out so nice that I think I will make one for myself when I have time. It has been fun using some of the stitches from my machine that I never get to use and playing around with the photos trying to get that old-brown look. One tip that I can give about printing on fabric is to use an iron-on stabilizer. It will print really nicely on your fabric that way without getting hung up in your printer! patty PAHAN4
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Beth,
I have been working on several outfits for my 1 year old granddaughter and enjoying every minute of the process. I am making 2 longsleeve
bubble outfits and a dress. The bubbles are made out of lightweight
corduroy, one in a blue and green plaid, which I am using a combination of plates, Farmlands and Country Time on a white insert. The other bubble, green with white dots, I am using the plate, Red Birds for Amanda on a white insert. The dress, which is a blue, green and red plaid, I am using the plate, Khaki Puppies. Her Christmas dress is red plaid with the white insert with the Carousel Horses plate. I work on these projects at night and on weekends. During the week I keep busy as Director of Technology for my school district.
Lynda Nichol
lnichol@shawnee.k12.ok.us
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B-K,
I just made my three year old son and one year old daughter matching outfits. The fabric is woven plaid with wreaths. Boys outfit is pants with button on suspenders and matching tie. Girls is square yoke dress smocked with an adaptation of "Holly Bearies" by LM. They look absolutely adorable!
-Sarah Wunderlich, Lincoln,NE BB429CJ
P.S. just an idea, you should put a picture of yourself on your website or in your news letter so we know who we are talking too!
I do have a photo of me and my daughter 10 years ago - she's so cute at age three (it's hard for me to realize she's 13 now). Anyhow the direct link is: http://members.aol.com/gabandgo/family.html
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Hi Beth-katherine,
Being Jewish I'm not doing anything Christmas, but I am working on a variation of the brown velveteen girl's dresss from AS&E #39. I made the christening ensemble for a fundraising auction for our school district and when my 11 year old saw it she said "wow that's neat-I'd wear something like that!" (Yeah, right was my cynical internal reaction ) so I showed her that dress and suggested black for their choir and orchestra concerts. We're using black finewale corduroy, smocking in black silk in a wave design with gold beads at the points of the diamonds. Hopefully she'll enjoy it!! Have a great holiday, Rita W Hr41
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Dear Beth, I am making Jingle Socks, a pattern from Thimbleberries, also potpourri bags from plaid taffeta and a Christmas jumper for my granddaughter. I also found some printed fabric that had gift tags printed on it , so I backed them with another Christmas fabric, cut them out and put gold string ribbon in them so they can be tied on Christmas gifts. Ewdawson
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Beth,
I am working on Christmas stockings, an ornament (smocked bell) and a smocked evening bag. DLFB22
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Dear Beth,
Time's a wasting, and I've still got three Christmas garments to cut out and sew. I ditched my original plans and have decided on something simpler and faster. I found some navy corduroy with a tiny white pin dot that I plan to make two CC Margaret dresses. I will add white Battenberg collars, and I found Battenberg angels which may end up on the skirt somewhere. If I don't use the angels, I may do a little SRE on the collars. The third outfit is going to be traveling to the country and will be made from the same navy pindot corduroy but will be an A-line square neck jumper with a ready made white satin snowman applique trimmed in red and green of course. Then I will make some long pants with elastic casings at the ankle.
Right now I am finishing up some AG dolls clothes for my nearly 7 yr old DGD's December birthday. I made a navy velvet cape and hat trimmed in white fake fur with a fur muff, a pink and blue floral flannel nightgown with a pink robe to match "bunny slippers", red and white plaid twill short overalls with a red T-shirt and a navy pindot corduroy dress with a Battenberg collar to match the Christmas dress. I found saddle oxfords to go with the plaid overalls. Except for the shoes, I everything else was made from scraps. I've had a ball!
I think that's all I'll have time for before Christmas. I'm looking forward to hearing what everybody's been doing.
Sally(Smocksalot) ~ø~
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Hi Beth-Katherine,
I'd be happy to share my Christmas projects! I got off easy with my 6 year old because the dress I was making for last Christmas didn't get finished till Jan....so, all I had to do to finish it was hem it. It is Fifi from AS&E in green featherwale corduroy. For my son, I'm making a button-on suit. I will use the corduroy black watch plaid knickers from last year's outfit, combined with a white broadcloth shirt with nutcrackers smocked on it. Having my daughter's dress finished has given me time to do a nightgown for her....I hope to do this every year now! I'm doing LM Silent Mice on white flannel using the Creative Keepsakes pattern. I look forward to hearing about everyone else's projects! Anne AGlogovac
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Am making AS&E #40 dress for my 2-year old in white dotted swiss and white cotton voile for the underskirt. Directions have been time-consuming to interpret and haven't been easy to follow, and I may change the smocked design pattern on the front after looking at it more closely; the pictured dress has very faint blocky pink hearts outlined in the smocking around the outside of the bullions. And since it needs to be finished by Saturday for pictures-- I'd better get back to work! Talk to you soon-- Kathleen KHHHCH
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The only smocking project I'm working on is a yellow gingham dress for my 2 year old. I'm working on making ballerina dresses for 3 of my daughters and blouses with vests for my oldest daughter. :-) As time permits, I'll be making ribbon-woven pillows, dress-up gowns, and soft dolls also. The older girls are making doll clothes, ornaments and embroidered pillows for gifts. The tiny girls are making ornaments decorated with shiny foil stars and gold braid. I'm looking forward to hearing what others are working on. I have a dress in mind to make after the holidays for my 11 year old, but thinking about a project doesn't count does it? <ggg> blessings, Samantha GloryHonor
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Dear Beth-Katherine,
I just finished my Christmas smocking. I made a dress for my daughter, 17 months old. It's made of Christmas plaid and has Christmas trees smocked on the bodice. The trees are decorated with glass beads, which catch the light nicely and have a festive look. This is the first project I've made since trying to use all the new techniques I've learned. I've self-taught myself how to smock, using books and videos, and to be honest my first projects look quite amateur. I'm proud of this dress, though. Merry Christmas, Chantelle MacuneTex
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My Christmas projects were several crazy quilted (by hand) pillows with double ruffles and silk ribbon embroidery. Also did some china painting. Roses on porcelain mostly. Donna in Montana Bill3777
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Beth,
I'm making the Fifi dress from Australian Smocking & Embroidery #35 in red featherwale corduroy, smocked with red floss, with ivory lace and beads. This will be my almost-5-year-old's Christmas dress. I have a matching 18" doll dress pleated and ready to smock. I'm also doing matching girl/doll Christmas nighties. These are pleated and awaiting smocking. They're red flannel; smocking design will be Debbie Glenn's Christmas tree from last year's Sew Beautiful holiday issue. Julie jfisher@olemiss.edu
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I am making my daughter a navy velvet dress with either a smocked collar or a lace bib. I would rather smock the dress and have a large collar, but I'm afraid to try smocking (or rather pleating) the velvet. Any helps? Judi REISS 7
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Hi Beth-Katherine,
I was making Contessa's jumper in red corduroy, smocked with silver braid and white floss for a Xmas dress. However, 2 weeks ago, I fell down stairs and broke my leg and ankle and will be homebound for the holidays, it most likely won't get finished, as the top requires some special fitting to fit me. The smocking is done and I'm ready for next year! So, I've been smocking lots of holiday ornaments! Happy holidays, Kathie kmesew@idsi.net * * *
I made a short sleeved bishop dress for my niece and a dress for her doll to match. LRAMVA
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I have a 5 year old Granddaughter and I smocked her an adaption of a dress shown in Australian Smocking...the one done in brown velveteen. As I had no Mink I bound the neck and sleeves in Brown satin and scattered seed pearl all over the backsmocked bodice. It turned out great. Connie in Louisiana ewatkins@bayou.com
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Hello Beth,
It's been a long time since I've talked to you, the time just doesn't seem to permit. Anyway, I wanted to let you know what I am working on for Christmas. It seems simple enough, but very elegant. I am making an evening red velvet purse for my Mother-in-law. It's featured in Sew Beautiful this holiday issue, only in black. Hopefully she'll love it and it'll work up quick. SaharSmith :-)
Beth-Katherine Kaiman, Copyright © 1997-2007 • There's No Place Like Home