Sorry for checking out bit early last week, several other projects {all at the initial designing stages} are consuming almost all of my carefree time. I'm hoping to find a nice balance soon. Hope you had a good weekend. I certainly did ~ lots of hunched shoulders sewing away.
As busy as i've been, i am happy to say i spent a good portion of the weekend working on and finishing my first ever "So Cute It Hurts" smocked sundress ~ admiring it in my little studio made this creative space even sunnier. Never before have i even come close to sewing something anyone could wear. THIS sundress is yet another very exciting accomplishment for me. Yippee and hooray!
I believe there is a mantra for all things handmade: "It's all in the details". Never is that more true than for this dress. A few ingenious details can transform a basic something into something truly special. Because so many of the different needlework techniques are subtle, they can be combined together to make a dress to look simple until the eye picks out those all-important details. I love, love, love this little smocked dress. The finished dress fits 12 months to size 4. Fasteners are out of the way, so curious little ones aren't tempted to toy with or nibble on them.
When this little sundress acquire history together with the other items that are too precious to give away ~ like the little blanket she came home from hospital in, the overalls she wore while learning to crawl, her pajamas she fell asleep in at night ~ there is a solution more creative and less cluttering than a box in the storage ~ a baby memory quilt that is sure to become an heirloom.
Sometimes, the most ordinary items can be used to create extraordinary result. Have a lovely merry happy creative week! Lots of love to you and yours
BEAUTIFUL, Jacqueline... that little dress is a dream! Baby clothing is such fun to work on, isn't it. And it's so easy to thrill to all those little details that go into it, adding love with each tiny stitch. Your dress is certainly an heirloom to treasure. Well done work, my friend! :o) Happy Week... Oh, stop in if you get a chance, I'm serving up sweet cupcakes for sweet tooths! ;o) ((BIG HUGS))
Posted by: Tracy | December 08, 2009 at 07:15 PM
What an adorable dress! That cute fabric is so perfect for this project. Great job putting this one together!
Posted by: Terriaw | December 08, 2009 at 09:23 PM
Oh how I would love to find this little gift under my tree..even though I have no wee ones around my home anymore. I would hang in in my bedroom for all to see. Your work is amazing my friend and your packaging is adorable...now you got me all excited about wrapping up my gifts. xoxoxoxo
Posted by: koralee | December 08, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Jacqueline, that dress is the cutest ever (and yes, it hurts!!!)
I love the idea of incorporating the projects into a very special quilt someday. I have been thinking of doing something similar with old clothes that I have grown attached to but never wear anymore.
Posted by: lisa h. | December 08, 2009 at 11:01 PM
So pretty! Such cute fabric and yes it is about the details isn't it? Lovely work!
Posted by: leslie | December 08, 2009 at 11:28 PM
J, don't make me get all sentimental and want a baby now;-) Super darling creations!
Posted by: TheCluelessCrafter | December 09, 2009 at 03:31 AM
What a beautiful heirloom piece of clothing! The details so fine and thoughtfully created.
Posted by: Kate England | Marmalade Moon | December 09, 2009 at 05:01 AM
Hi sweetie! So glad to hear that you are feeling better. I need to put in you in my blog reader asap because I didn't know things were rough until just now. But {big hugs} to you!
I just learned the word "smocking" yesterday because I ordered my very first sewing machine and I was reading through the manual. =) If the weather clears up, I'm going to buy some fabric to make a forest of little trees. Hopefully I can get them done before Christmas.
I'll be thinking of you as I attempt to sew! xoxo
Posted by: Shanon | December 09, 2009 at 09:51 AM
oh wow! this is too darling! I love the fabric you used. I so admire people who can sew!~!
Posted by: heather | December 09, 2009 at 12:29 PM
The work is amazing!!!Lovely!!
Posted by: Car showrooms in middle east | December 09, 2009 at 01:15 PM
Wow this sundress looks GORGEOUS, and so beautifully made with love! Congrats on finishing it! You are such an inspiration!! Wini :)
Posted by: wini | December 09, 2009 at 07:19 PM
AMAZING Jacqueline! And your stamp label is the perfect addition!
Posted by: fresh365 | December 10, 2009 at 04:47 AM
So adorable!!! lovely lovely lovely!
Your little dress is beautiful!! =)
And I love your mantra too! I'm going to keep it ;)
No doubt! Your result is amazing!!!! :D
Posted by: Nia | December 10, 2009 at 09:06 AM
This dress is so adorable. Where did you find such cute fabric? Whoever gets to wear this is extremely lucky. Hope you are having the merriest of holiday seasons.
Posted by: Valarie Budayr | December 10, 2009 at 09:37 AM
That dress is just DARLING!!!
btw, i've given you an award, check it out here: http://trishiekoh.blogspot.com/2009/12/more-awards-woohooo.html
Posted by: Trishie Koh | December 10, 2009 at 11:49 AM
this is adorable! you are so talented. i love your creativity and photography!
ps - congrats on the blog award from trishiekoh!
Posted by: Celeste | December 10, 2009 at 01:33 PM
Great job on the dress! You are so talented...and the packaging and details are fantastic. So lovely...hope you have a great week!
Posted by: linda | December 10, 2009 at 03:11 PM
Amazing work on the dress!
And i LOVE the stamp with your name on it AND the cool tags.
Waouh ! Impressed
Posted by: Lila | December 10, 2009 at 05:41 PM
How adorable, Jacqueline, you are so right about details and yours are so cute and special as you are! Have a wonderful week!
Posted by: Mina | December 11, 2009 at 02:03 AM
Jacqueline, this is the sweetest little dress ever!! If you make more, I would love to buy one!
Posted by: Kaili | December 11, 2009 at 07:07 AM
Those dresses would look so cute(it hurts) on my little girl! Love the detail of it!
Posted by: Megan | December 11, 2009 at 09:36 AM
That little sundress is amazing. i love the little characters on it :)
Posted by: CreativeButterflyXOX | December 16, 2009 at 01:40 PM
Super super darling!!! I soooo wish I had a little girl handy to put that on!
Posted by: Jessica | December 17, 2009 at 07:24 AM
Thanks for dropping by my blog, beautiful job with the smocking and that fabric...SO CUTE it hurts :) It's perfect!! I'm wishing I'd heard about the blogging e-course you're taking in January before it sold out, sounds fantastic!
Posted by: Kaci | December 28, 2009 at 06:35 AM
Super darling creations! You are so talented...and the packaging and details are fantastic.
Posted by: LEAF electric car | January 16, 2010 at 05:23 PM