This post could have also been titled: Everyone else is doing it, why not Me?
If you've never made a "smocked" dress, YOU MUST. If you've never sewn with elastic thread, YOU MUST. I knew months before (when I saw these dresses popping up) that when I started sewing, I'd say "why have only just discovered these?" And sure enough, I've said it. If you haven't discovered them yet either, now is the time!
Technically what you're doing is shirring. True smocking is a much more involved art that does not involve elastic. Hooray for living in the 21st century!It would be silly to do a tutorial since there are so many out there. There's a good one here, here, and here. And who can pass up the fabulous blog Portabellopixie? Scroll down on the right column and under "tutorials" you'll find "Shirring Madness".
This little medley was a baby gift for my husband's boss and their newborn babe. Just a simple Shirred Top, with bloomers underneath. Fast, dainty, and all wrapped up in the tiniest box (with a quilted notecard of course):
Elastic Thread is my new friend. It's opened my eyes to a spectrum of possibilities. You can find it at your local fabric store on the notions wall....just $1.50 at Joanns. Buy some TODAY.Many, many more of these to come!
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47 comments:
Nice dress!
So adorable! I want one! Only-- I probably wouldn't look very cute in it! ;0)
Dana, what a lovely little dress. Really cute!
(And maybe I should really try that elastic thread sometimes. I still shirr by hand, not with the machine. Don't know why, but I sort of don't dare to. Silly, I know. Who knows, maybe you just helped me cross that bridge ;-))
I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Sorry Helene was napping so you couldn't try it on for size!
feel dumb. didn't know this was called shirring...
oops. glad you straightened that out for me.
Yeah I have totally fallen head over heels with this... this week. Its sooo easy and is so darling.
totally want to know how to make bloomers...
and btw...
market skirt gathered pocket has me totally intimidated that its on hold, how silly is that...
This is great, I have something all cut out to do this on, and I had a general idea of how to but the links are very helpful. Thanks for mentioning them, and the outfit is beautiful...what a lovely gift!
I've never wanted to be someones best friend so badly.
You are AMAZING. Holy cow.
Can we pleeease be friends? I need a talented friend.
P.S. SO CUTE
wow I need to conjur me up a little girl so i can make one of these. Too bad, my son would look awfully funny in one :)
Oh that note, I am hosting a giveaway this friday pop on over.
Wow, that's beautiful! I'll bet you're already creating many more shirred adventures in your head.
Fabulous!!!!! I love the colors you used! Too cute.
LOVE it!! ISn't elastic thread the best? I'm so glad to have just found it, too! That fabric is great, too.
yep, I'm an addict now too. between that and Fold over elastic... I'm busy at my machine and neglecting my kids!
I just discovered elastic thread and shirring a week ago! I am so in love! The dress you made is adorable!
How CUTE is that Dana!I absolutely love it. I need to try this too!
This is so stinkin cute! Love it, adorable!
Shanna
Totally cute Dana,
I've seen some of these but haven't been brave enough to try because it looks so hard...but I'm going to get some elastic thread soon!
Thanks!
SOOOO adorable and the wrapping is perfect! Love it!
I use elastic thread all the time... I LOVE it, yet with all my shirring I have yet to make a REAL shirred dress. I think you may have just pushed me to the edge! And the wrapping was the icing on the cake.
There is no stopping you - that material is so blooming cute, it is not funny !
This is gorgeous! When I discovered shirring a little while ago, I was the same- sooooo excited- it is unbelievably easy for such a great result! THe weather is warming up a little here again, so there will be more of it here soon I'm sure! I have been thinking of making something like this for my daughter for summer.
I think you are on the same brain waves as me. I was just NEEDING to do this yesterday. I'm so glad you know what you're doing so you can show me. I LOVE that little outfit, it's darling!
Ha!! So cute!!! My daughter and I are currently obsessed w/ the elastic thread and have just made ourselves adult versions of the dress you made. :) Easy Peasy!!
That is too adorable!! I love the color too. I have got to get me some of that elastic thread!! An outfit like that would be so cute on my granddaughter! Love it and Love your blog, you are super talented. Keep up the great ideas, I love reading about them!
Thanks for the kinks. I bought some elastic thread last week but haven' tried it yet.
Very Cute! I love shirring. my daughter has many dresses made this way.
Im just always too scared to gift my creations! lol
I'm new to your blog, and just love it! I don't have much experience sewing. Well, that's not entirely true. I've made several quilts in my day. I've just never made clothes before. But I want to learn! And your blog is inspiring! I didn't know that it was so easy to make smocked stuff (even if it's not technically smocked...it looks like it!). I'm definitely going to try it out!
I totally bought that same fabric the other day and am making a dress for my daughter with it. That is so funny!
I love shirring, it makes me feel like a way better seamstress then I really am :) Cute dress!!
I so want that outfit and I even have that fabric! maybe i need to visit my local jo-anns and get me some elastic thread! you are one talented mama!
This is adorable! I too love elastic thread!
Your hubby's boss and wife are going to love it! So precious. I have never used elastic thread either. I will have to pick some up.
Adorable! My sister does smocking for her little girls dresses. Real smocking with tiny embroidered flowers and things. Seriously amazing. While I'd love to be the recipient of real smocking, I think I'd much prefer to do shirring. But I've never done it. Maybe I should give it a try. But boys don't really wear that sort of thing!
I just did a smock dress for my daughter, but would love to figure out how to do the bloomers. Your set is adorable.
oh so sweet! I am sure they will love it for their new little girl. Shirring is so much fun.
Oh this is so darling!!
I just found your blog, and I am inspired and delighted. You really have such a talent and a good heart to share it all with us. I only with my sewing skills didnt consist of straight lines (that I cant even get straight), thanks again.
It is so funny that you posted this. I just saw a little girl wearing a dress like this and I thought how cute she looked. Then I thought, "I bet Dana could do that." Guess I was right. Extra points for me.
I discovered your blog and I really like it!!
I am mad collector of that kind of clothes for my daughter this time your post encourages me to try myself to shirring. I come back with the result:-))
I need help with the elastic thread. I spent all afternoon watching tutorials, researching and attempting to sew with it. I did everything it said to do, and had no luck getting it to bunch and be strechy. What's the secret?
Hi Lindsay (and others),
I don't have any real secrets to share other than this....
Don't pull the elastic too tight when you roll it around the bobbin. If you do that, it won't gather very tightly on your clothing.
Also, when all is said and done, iron your "smocked" area and it will tighten even a little more.
Good luck!
What a lovely ensemble! Elasic thread tops my to-get list so my girl (and maybe mama, too) can have some shirred goodness.
inspiring as always! :-)
thanks! I'll keep trying!
So cute!! I've been wanting to make some shirred tops or dresses for my daughter, but wouldn't have thought to use that as a baby gift! Any pointers on making the diaper cover??
Thanks so much for sharing!
I made my first dress for my daughter with elastic thread. I became already a "mad shirrer". It was a big fun!
Thank you!
http://kreativ-a-csalad.blogspot.com/2009/08/gumirozott-nyari-ruha.html
I like your lovely dresses!! I can´t find the tutorials for false smock. Do you have the elastic thread under or over in the mashine, don´t know how you say in english. I´m from Sweden, and we say "under- and overthread".
Mia
Hi Eva-Maria,
You should check out the links in the post here. They explain things pretty well. The elastic thread goes on the bottom and the normal thread goes on the top.
I hope to do my own tutorial for this soon. We'll see :)
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