smocking

i've gotten a little into smocking thing other than nightgowns this year.  chris's mom sent me a book with several smocking patterns that looked so fun.  the youth in our ward do an auction every other year to raise money for youth camps, so thought it was a perfect opportunity to try out one of the patterns for fun.  someone in the ward gave me this fabric because she didn't have a use for it and it turned out really cute.  i got started on it later than i should, so i had a couple of days of strictly sewing to get it finished in time!

there was quite a bidding war for it and i think it ended up going for over $80.  laurie malan, who bought it, told me she was going to save it for her granddaughters to wear only when they come to visit so it stays nice.  she sent me this picture of one of her granddaughters wearing it.  so happy to see it on!

 i thought i'd try one out for bonnie's easter dress after that.  it was a lot of work to get it right, but it turned out so cute

the pattern also included this cute jacket.

the other woman in our ward who was bidding for the first dress asked me to make a couple for her granddaughters.  i started looking online for another cute smocking pattern instead of just the ones i have and found this really cute one.  i tried it out on a dress for bonnie first.

it was a little bigger than expected, but it turned out really cute too.

lesley, our church grandma in texas, wanted the dresses for her granddaughters.  she got the fabric and i got to work.  i finished both of them shortly after our move and sent them off.  hopefully they look great on those little girls!

now i just need to find some great fabric to get working on some nightgowns.