Crossover Bubble Inspiration!

Sometimes, you just need a little bit of stitching.  When I designed my Crossover Bubble pattern, I wanted to add just a little bit of blank space that can be embellised in numerous ways.  I remembered that when my children were very young, there is little time for complicated projects, yet I wanted to still be creative.  Small projects were perfect, even if it just involved a glue gun.  For needleworkers, the assymetrical collar on this little bubble is the perfect blank canvas.  It can be filled with any embroidery technique, and the collar edge can be finished with trim, bridging, or piping.  It’s a quick stitch for busy young mamas.

Here is sweet little girl’s version of the Crossover Bubble.  The collar is edged in lace and embroidered to coordinate with the cheerful red gingham.  It’s and original embroidery design was made by Tiffany and it’s just adorable.

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The pattern can be purchased at my Etsy Shop and here at the website under Patterns.  My Etsy shop also has fabrics and laces that might inspire you to give this pattern a try.

A customer recently shared a version of my Baby Pamela pattern.  Her name is Judy and she does amazing work.  She used to have an Etsy shop but now just takes some orders from her Facebook page here.  This dress is just sweet perfection and her workmanship is amazing.

She shared her method for finishing the inside of the bodice with a full lining.  This covers the smocking and the raw edge is finished with some heirloom lace.  It adds another special touch.

Below, you can see how she finished the side seams and included the lining.  This helps to keep it in place.  She also used Seams Great to finish the raw edge of the armhole.

Here’s a close up of her smocking.  The pleats are perfectly spaced and the piping is appied perfectly.

I love when customers share their projects with me.  Have you made a Little Heirloom Angels pattern that you would like to share?

Just send it to smockermom319@gmail.com and I’ll share it here!

I just posted a tutorial on how to improve your smocking stitches.  It’s something I’ve been meaning to do for a while and I finally had the chance to take some super close up photos of a dress I’m working on.

This is a dress that I started for my daughter almost 30 years ago but she just grew up too fast.  I thought it would make a nice example of making nice flat stitches.

Read all about it here:

How to Improve your Smocking Stitches

I hope it helps!

With the colder weather coming, I just stocked my Etsy store with some new colors of Imperial Broadcloth:

I added Christmas Red, Kelly Green, and Navy.  Perfect for the upcoming holidays and back to school sewing.

There’s also the basics for baby available along with some Swiss Embroideries and French Heirloom Laces.  Patterns are also available under the Patterns Tab here and in the Etsy shop.

Click here to see the whole collection.

I wanted to share a special version of my Baby Abigail pattern made by Lisa from Mommy’s Apron Strings.  She also shares a love of vintage children’s clothing.  She offers a variety of vintage inspired embroideries, perfect for baby and older kids.  She also has some cute classic patterns.  She did a spectacular job on my Baby Abigail pattern and sent me such beautiful photos.  I especially love the special touch she added to the toe pieces on the Footies.

Here’s a close up of the embroidery she added to the toes.  Such a creative idea and it adds such sweetness to the whole outfit.  I just love it!

Here’s a close up of the smocking.  Beautiful stitching.

And here’s the outfit modeled on a Reborn doll so you can see how it looks on a real baby.

The outfit just looks so cozy and comfortable.

Lisa has a blog and an Etsy shop.  I’ve been reading her blog for a while and she’s been such an inspiration for me.  Here are the links:

https://mommysapronstrings.blogspot.com/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MommysApronStrings

She has some really cute vintage embroideries and patterns.  I’m working on my Crossover Bubble in infant sizes, hopefully to be ready for testing next month.  I plan to use her embroideries on one of my samples.  They downloaded seamlessly and now I just have to assemble the embroidery module on Big Bertha this weekend for a play date.

The Baby Abigail pattern can be found on the Patterns page and also at my Etsy shop.  I also sell fabrics and trims to make my patterns, so please stop by and visit.

As promised, I’m going to be posting some Baby Abigail samples from the testing process.  I had the most creative and helpful group of testers, and I love their samples.

Here is one from Teresa:

I love the colors she chose, so sunny and cheerful.  Her other stitching projects can be found on Instagram here: @instamama4.  She makes some of the cutest outfits I’ve ever seen.

Here’s another one from Julie:

These colors are lovely too.  So soft and feminine.  You can check out more of her work at her Etsy shop: Lamond Traditional.  Here’s the link.  Her work is top knotch.

That’s all for now.  I’ll be posting more very soon!

So. We made it through 2020.  I wish health and happiness for everyone in the new year.

It’s a new year and I’m developing some new projects.  Updates to my Big Sister Pamela and Baby Bishop pattern are in the works.  I’m adding a long sleeve option that will be available as an add on for my previous customers.  I will also include it in the updated versions of the patterns.

I’m also drafting some footed pants that look wonderful with the Baby Bishop Diaper Shirt.  These will be a warmer alternative to the Diaper Cover during the winter months.  You can French seam the whole thing, even the foot pieces.  Or you can line them.  This addresses the issue of loose threads anywhere near tiny baby toes.  I remember when my girls were babies, people were cutting off the feet because of the danger of loose threads.  I’m tending toward the lining but it’s a personal decision.  I also placed the elastic casing on the outside.  Not only does it provide a contrasting design detail, it reduces irritation on delicate baby skin.

A Ruffled version of the Diaper Cover will also be coming in sizes Newborn to 18 or 24 Months.

I’m also working on a smocked knit cap for Preemies and Newborns.  It will have a turned up cuff that has a smocked panel on the front.  I have some Sea Isle Baby Knits that I’m dying to try with this one.  The prints will also be uploaded to my Etsy shop for purchase.

We just welcomed a new granddaughter to the family in November and a grandson is coming at the end of March.  Lots of baby sewing going on here and I’ll be busy.

Happy New Year Stitching!