I need to clean out my daughter's closet. She has a dozen dresses she has outgrown and I need to share on my blog. This is one of them. I think this dress is a size 6 and too tight across the chest for my sweetheart. It makes me so sad, but I know she wore it a ton.
This is "Lee" by Children's Corner. I used the smocking plate "Sweet Arabella" from AS&E No. 73. This was the second time to use this plate because the smocking is fast and easy to do. I love the effect of leaving a few rows blank without smocking and how it makes such interesting gathers. The sleeves are from "Hillary" by Children's Corner. My other easy switch was to make the bow ties a little more narrow than the pattern states. I think the floral print is from Moda.
My daughter is in a size 8 now and that is where "Lee"'s sizing stops. If I don't get busy, we will be telling our friend "Lee" good-bye. "Lee" has been a favorite for many smockers and it is one of the most timeless patterns for heirloom sewing.
So pretty! I do not know how to smock, and wished I learned! My daughter is 7 1/2...running out of time to learn! I have learned to sew, though, although I wish I had learned before I had children so I could have been a sewing mother all along...better late than never! I am enjoying your blog...found you through the Bessie Mary blog...
ReplyDeleteLee is a classic, and your version is gorgeous! I love the colors you selected for smocking, and the extra touch of a coordinating fabric for piping. Perfect!
ReplyDeleteLove the way your smocking and fabric work together. A really pretty dress!
ReplyDeleteJust gorgeous! Love the colors!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dress! I think one of the saddest days of my life was when my daughter outgrew size 8 CC patterns...especially Lee! The Ellen McCarn bsy pattern carried us over for an additional year. After that my daughter was too *developed* to wear a bsy.
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