Love Hearts Smocked Dress....AS&E 58

This lovely dress was made from the pattern in Australian Smocking and Embroidery #58.  The dress pattern is called "Love Hearts".  When my daughter was younger, this totally pink dress appeared in an issue.  I saved the magazine and a piece of pink plaid.  My pink plaid is a bit brighter than the pattern's fabric, so I used smocking colors that were a bit brighter.  I am so glad that most items in AS&E are timeless.  

This dress is called a basic square yoke in the smocking world.  It is simple to put together, but this dress has a few interesting features (embroidery on the collar and sleeve bands, a double hem pleat, and a buttoned back sash).  This dress is a size 5 year old in Australian sizing, which is much larger than American sizing.  My daughter is 7 years old and this dress fits her beautifully.  

I smocked the front of the dress first and then added the ribbon weaving.  I traced off the collar and sleeve bands and then used a fabric marker to mark the exact location of each heart.  

I love this dress and hope it inspires you to make a timeless dress for a little girl.