Bishop Babbling

I'm sure you've heard the saying "if walls could talk"...If the smocked bishop dress I recently completed could babble it would have a lot to say!  This bishop, if it could talk, would have many memories to share, or as my son says "makin' memories".  When I look at this dress, I don't just "see" the craftsmanship, I see all the places I worked on it to complete it or rather the memories made while it was being constructed.

 

Daisy Mae, the name of the dress, was actually born at Martha Pullen's School of Art Fashion back in July while I attended Gail Doane's workshop.  The smocking wasn't even started when I left the school, but construction tips and techniques had been thoroughly covered.

 

So the bishop babbling begins as I feverishly tried to get the holding row completed in a hotel room the night before a flight so that I could smock while flying. I was able to remove the bishop from my blocking board and pack the dress into my carry on bag and stick the board in my parked car before heading to the airport. (Yes, you can carry needles and "kid" scissors-I didn't want to risk losing my expensive embroidery scissors) As I smocked on board a flight to NYC I had many question my craft.  A good way to share the art of smocking! Needing a break from all the site seeing ,  I continued to work on the dress in my daughter's apartment in Chelsea while waiting for her to finish work.

If the bishop could babble, it would also tell you that it visited Tennessee, my childhood home, and sat and looked at Old Hickory Lake in Nashville at my in-laws  home.  Riding in the car was a common occurrence and could be pulled out of the sewing bag only if the road was straight and not bumpy!

 

Most often, though, the bishop would tell you if it could,  that most evenings were spent in the hands of a woman with a passion for smocking.  Curled up on the couch with coffee and a fire, my "babies" on one side and sewing bag within reach.

Once in my sewing studio for construction, I remember the rainy day I worked on the garment construction, hearing the rain pelt the roof.  Or the squirrels running across the roof on a beautiful, clear winter day.

 

 After completion, the bishop could babble about being the star of a recent trunk show at the American Sewing Guild in Macon, GA.  The babbling of this bishop will continue once it finds a home with a special little girl to live with.  Maybe a future client? Perhaps my own grandchild a few years down the road?  A special Easter dress for that precious someone?  A Sunday dress that will attend Bible class?

Do you get "emotionally attached" to your projects?  When I see my creations, memories flood back of all the places I worked on that particular garment, who I was making it for, if it was a gift or custom order and the life I gave a piece of fabric.  A bishop can babble...just ask it's creator.

Sew happy,

Renee

 

Trunk Show

I was asked to provide a trunk show and be a speaker for the American Sewing Guild Chapter meeting in Macon, GA to celebrate National Smocking Month.  It was a treat to see all the ladies sharing a passion for sewing.  I spoke about English Smocking.



English smocking, in my opinion, is an art form.  It requires skill, labor and love to create a garment that can make any child feel unique and special.  English smocking is a craft that is done by hand.....no machines, no mass production! These garments can be passed down for years if quality fabrics are used and construction is done well. I like that my creations have made it through the playground, birthday parties, church, school and even a wayward pair of scissors in the hands of a 5 year old!  We discussed many facets of smocking including fabric selection, the pleating process, garment styles, the difference between geometric and picture smocking and thread choice.

I enjoyed showcasing some of my favorite pieces of "artwork" and sharing smocking secrets with those who were interested!



 

Bishops, Yoke Dresses, Inserts, Bonnets,Rompers, and  Smocked Easter Eggs.....eye candy for smocking and sewing enthusiasts!

 

I look forward to teaching several ladies the art of smocking, whether it be picture smocking or smocking and constructing your first bishop for Easter!  Thank you ladies for the invitation and a special thank you to my "angel" Mrs. Ann for all her help in transporting and setting up my dresses!

Sew Happy,

Renee

Ney Ney's Stitches

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