SMOCKING NEWSLETTER VOL.1 ISSUE Christmas Query
October 20, 1997
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Smocking Newsletter - Beth-Katherine Kaiman, copyright 1997-2009, 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:
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS FOR YOU TO SEW ME SOMETHING!!!
PART TWO
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
* * *
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
* * *
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
, 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:(
* * *
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
* * *
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
* * *
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
* * *
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
* * *
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 Mitchell)
* * *
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
* * *
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
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!
* * *
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
* * *
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
* * *
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
* * *
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.)
* * *
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
* * *
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)
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
* * *
(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.
* * *
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. (Dan &
Earlynne)
* * *
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
* * *
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
* * *
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
* * *
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
* * *
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
* * *
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
* * *
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
* * *
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
* * *
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
* * *
Beth,
I am working on Christmas stockings, an ornament (smocked bell) and a smocked
evening bag. DLFB22
* * *
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~
* * *
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
* * *
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
* * *
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
* * *
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
* * *
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
* * *
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
* * *
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
* * *
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 * * *
I made a short sleeved bishop dress for my niece and a dress for her doll
to match. LRAMVA
* * *
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
* * *
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
:-)
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