A Little Angel Original Navy Smocked Dress With White Collar

When my daughter asked me to make her son's Baptism outfit, I decided to experiment with something new.  She didn't want smocking and chose a shirt and shorts outfit with simple tucks and embroidery.  She also wanted linen which I was thrilled to hear!

I needed a "row" stitch, something that would look like a braid between the tucks, which of course were hemstitched.  I have a tutorial for that here and here.

I was drawn to the Mountmellick stitch and after experimenting I found that I could make it look like little arrowheads that could be mirror imaged between the tucks.

I made the stitch 1/8″ wide, 4 threads apart, with size 8 Perle cotton.  It's simple and elegant.

Here's the outfit:

Click here for the tutorial and have fun experimenting!

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!

My new pattern is now available for purchase here at my website and also in my Etsy shop.

Baby Abigail is the final version of the coming home outfit I made for my granddaughter, Abigail Ruth.  After many tweaks and trials, it is finally ready.

Baby Abigail is a short bishop top with long sleeves.  It features a contrast placket, as well as contrast details on the wrist, ankle, hem and neck.  The sleeves have an elastic cuff and there is also an option for a smocked sleeve.  If you prefer a folded placket, the pattern includes an option for that also.

The footed pants have an elastic waist for comfort.  There is elastic at the ankles to keep the foot in place since little ones always seem to pop their toes out of the foot piece of their sleepers.  The sole is also lined.  That means there are no exposed seam allowances or threads to cause problems with tiny toes.

It would make a cozy little outfit for the colder weather in a soft Swiss Flannel, such as in the model garment.  I used Liberty Tana Lawn for the contrast trim.  Batiste or broadcloth can also be used for warmer weather.  There are so many ways to make this little outfit: contrast pants, contrast trim only.  I'll be posting some beautiful versions designed by the testers for inspiration.  They did a marvelous job as always!

The Baby Abigail pattern from Little Heirloom Angels is ready for testing! This is a traditional bishop style diaper shirt with footed pants, sized for Newborns to 12 Months.  It would be a  perfect coming home outfit for a baby boy or girl.  The bishop top is front opening with buttons or snaps for easier dressing. Several trim options for sleeves and hem are included with the pattern. The sole is lined on the inside, completely enclosing the seam allowance.  This means no stray threads to make baby uncomfortable!  Recommended fabrics are lightweight to midweight cottons and blends: Swiss flannel, broadcloth, chambray, pique.  Also suitable for knits or Cashmere Cotton.

You can add a contrast band to the ankle, or insert an internal elastic casing.

Options for the sleeve include a contrasting casing, or smocking!

I've also updated my method for attaching the bias neck band without stretching.  The secret is to use an old, trusty sewing notion: freezer paper!  I'll also add a tutorial on the blog for anyone who's purchase the original Baby Bishop pattern.

The testing will run until March 7, 2022 . I will notify all testers who apply by February 7, 2022.  Please follow the link to apply:

https://forms.gle/Q5D5UrjvFBb7ekeq9

Come join us, I look forward to working with you.  And if you are a new tester, welcome! I love meeting new stitchers.

I wanted to share my granddaughter's Christening Gown.

I made it using my Big Sister Pamela pattern.  Even though it is featured as a smocked yoke dress, it can be transformed into any basic yoke dress with a few tweaks.

I wanted to make an heirloom style gown without smocking.  It was inspired by a scrap of hand embroidery I had trimmed off of Carol's First Communion Dress.  I had just enough to fit into a yoke so Big Sister Pamela fit the bill perfectly.  This was also my first project using Nelona.  What a delight it is to work with.  It's just so gorgeous and easy to sew and press.

First, I traced off the Yoke pattern piece and the Blocking Guide for the smocking.  I overlapped the seam allowances across the front and traced off a whole bodice piece.  Now, I had a template for laying out my  heirloom laces.  I added the V shape in the center to feature more of the embroidered piece and add some visual interest.

The hardest part was mitering the entredeux into the V shape.  Next time, I will just draw a separate template for the shaped seam line and hand stitch the entredeux pieces together first.  I think it would be easier to manage.

Next, the sleeves were finished with lace insertion and the hemstitch on my sewing machine. Gathered lace and entredeux are used for the armband.

The next big decision was concerning the skirt treatment.  I knew Carol wouldn't want a huge skirt, so I chose a 36″ width.  I also liked that the number is divisible by 3 for the Trinity.  Then I calculated the lengths I would need for the lace band and stitched the laces together.  The ruffle is double the width of the skirt with lace insertion and pintucks on each side, with lace edging along the bottom.  I added the V shape in the middle and added seam allowances for stitching to the entredeux.

I also wanted to embroider a cross for the skirt and coordinate it with the embroidery on the yoke.  I tried to shadow embroider the cross but it was too large and I couldn't get it to look nice.  So, then I tried a chain stitch.  My dear friend Lori suggested silk floss and my goodness, it was lovely to work with.  Then I used some floche for the vines and I even found some of the same white silk ribbon that I used on the original dress!  Same patina to match the roses on the yoke.  Sometimes it pays to not throw things away! LOL.   A lace insertion oval and it was complete.

I'm pleased with how it turned out even though my heirloom sewing skills are a little rusty.  It took almost 2 months to complete, which includes all the mistakes and Plan Bs, but it was still fun.  I think I'll submit it to Show and Share when I go to the SAGA convention next month.

Happy Stitching!

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!

The Preemie Crossover Bubble from Little Heirloom Angels is ready for testing! This is a traditional bubble style romper sized for Preemies up to 5 ½ lbs.  It also fits the Reborn dolls.  It would be a perfect coming home outfit for a baby boy or girl.  Included with the pattern are two different collar styles. The bubble is front opening with snaps for easy access diaper changes. The bubble crotch area opens flat for easier dressing. It is an easy project featuring kimono sleeves and a full lining. No tiny sleeves to set in!

Recommended fabrics are lightweight cottons and blends such as batiste, lawn, voile, or linen.

The testing will run until October 10,2020 . I will notify all testers who apply by September 20,2020.  Please follow the link to apply:

https://forms.gle/RHx1t99awkdgiVZ47

Hello everyone!  I've finally finished my tutorial for the Drawn Thread Motif.  I hope you find it helpful.  You can find it here.  It was inspired by a vintage dresser scarf that I found in an antique shop.  I love finding inspiration from vintage items.  I wrote about it here.

Check it out and give it a try.

And keep checking in for my tester call.  I'm almost ready to start the testing phase for my preemie bubble pattern, which features this motif on the collar, as well as other embellishment options.  If you are interested in testing the pattern, check back here or my Facebook page or my Instagram page.  The pattern will fit a preemie up to 5 1/2 lbs.  It's also perfect for Reborn baby dolls.

dickmanintich.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.littleheirloomangels.com/

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