Smocking Part I

Even though I am living a pretty exotic life overseas, there are the times when I want to feel domestic and western. If I could, I would live a dual life, one where I am living in a cottage home, on the east coast, close to the ocean and lots of trees. I would bake cute cupcakes for my kids and duplicate all of the Pottery Barn catalogues. The other life would be the one I am living now. I wouldn't change a thing. I suppose this is the burden one must have for having too many passions.

Speaking of passions, I have revisited one of mine since our things have arrived, smocking. I have been smocking ever since my oldest was a toddler and the many babies in my life have kept me busy ever since. It has been the perfect hobby for me as a busy mom and I could take it anywhere and do it anytime.

My girlfriend from Delaware, Shelly, and I had a love for sewing. Her talent greatly exceeded mine, but I was determined to revive my teenage pastime of sewing so we could blow off some of our 'stay at home mom' steam. While we were at the JoAnn fabric store perusing the many pattern books we came across one of the Vogue smocking patterns. For a brief moment, I believe time stopped. We sat there in awe, barely saying a word. Wow, how do people do that? It is beautiful.

My interest would have probably stopped there, passing it off as a 'too difficult' art. Plus, don't you have to be over 70 to do that? However, my friend was undaunted. She made a few phone calls that week and found a place where they would teach us. I was thrilled to enroll in the class and the amazing woman, Sonja, who taught us had all the confidence in the world that we could master the art. Every week, Shelly and I would meet at each other's house and smock. The world could have fallen apart around us (and it did many-a-times with 5 kids under 4 reeking continual havoc), but we found a la, la land that we couldn't escape. It was pure bliss. We talked about everything under the sun and solved all the worlds problems. Who knew smocking would produce such wonder? It was our therapy and I craved it every single week.

I am forever grateful to my friend, Shelly and my teacher, Sonja. For without them, my daughter would not have the heirlooms I have made over the years. Oh, and professional counselling would have cost a bundle!

Here are some sample projects:

Payton - My first bishop dress

Sunflower on the Mary De, made of navy corduroy with the Delaware fall leaves

Scarecrows on the Mary De

Anne pattern, made up design

China Girl

Hula Bears (my own dress pattern)

Sailor Girl

A dress I made while visiting my parents in South Africa.

A Christmas bishop made on raw silk

Polar Persuasion on blue corduroy. Pattern: Mary De

Leap'n Lizards. On adapted Lily pattern.

I have probably 50 more dresses to showcase, so I will revisit this subject again. In fact, I have two projects in the works. Maybe the pressure of the blog will help me get them done. Now if I could just stop my kids from growing, I could actually get more use out of these dresses!