I haven’t had much time for sewing this last week. I’ve been busy with last minute preparations for the SAGA convention. However, I did have the opportunity to stitch out an adorable Snow Princess on one of my Annalise tops. I am thrilled with it and the little princess that will wear it immediately recognized it.
I had mentioned to Janet Gilbert that I was in the process of sewing my top up in the short sleeved version and would smock it after it was finished. She indicated that her princess design would fit perfectly in the smocking area. This sweet princess design is a new smocking design from Janet Gilbert and should be available on her website later this week. Of course, I was thrilled to be able to stitch the design in advance of publication. Janet has several new designs scheduled to release this week. I’m sure that each one is equally cute! Thank you Janet!
Fortunately I had some sparkly rick rack in my stash in both pink as well as white. I couldn’t decide on which one to use, so I used them both! Because the points were the same distance apart and only the height of the peaks were different, I was able to use them together and the end result was not only interesting, but I think that it goes well with the snow theme.
This went along so well with the snowflakes in the smocking – which I added one strand of silver metallic thread for sparkle effect.
The Annalise top is one of my newest SAGA approved classes. The top for the class is done in vibrant colors and has a cap sleeve.
Of course, the original pattern was called Temily and was in Australian Smocking and Embroidery magazine #80 several years ago. The original pattern had a 3/4 length sleeve which is perfect for our mild winters in the south. If you plan to be at the SAGA convention, I will have the samples with all 3 sleeve variations with me.
I have smocked this top with the different sleeve options so many times and in so many sizes now that I have lost count. Each one seems to be my new favorite! It is quick to smock, easy to wear and a little more trendy. Both kids and moms seem to love it. I am thrilled to be able to offer the wider range of sizes in the pattern teaching kits.
I’ll share some of the cute versions that I’ve created over the past several years. I cannot chose a favorite – they are all favorites!
OK – I have to stop! As you can see, this is really one of my favorite tops and with the sleeve variations can be worn all year long. Different trims, smocking designs and themes allow this top to have unlimited creativity but still be a quick project. I hope that this will encourage some young moms to learn this fine art of smocking!
On another note – I realized this week that I had made a significant mistake in my post with the beautiful vintage garments. I had stated that one of the gowns was machine made. Upon further investigation this week (under magnification) I realized that the perfect stitches in the gown were hand made. Unbelievable that such precision could be achieved by hand. I have corrected the post and am now even more amazed at the beautiful stitching of our sewing sisters of the past.
Until I return next week, happy stitching!!!
Kathy
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