Out With the Old....

Fourteen years ago, when Teen #2 was my sweet little Doll Baby, I decided it would be fun to make her some dress up clothes.  I learned how smock,

 



I made several very tedious buttonholes,

 



and I sewed up more than a few lengths of french seams. When all was said and done my Doll Baby had a new dress that was almost as sweet as she was. And me, well I had a new passion!

 



I became obsessed with smocking.

I joined a SAGA group, I subscribed to magazines, and I acquired this amazing machine, the Amanda-Jane Smocking Pleater. With it I was able to pleat up oodles of fabrics to embellish with trellis stitches, bouillons, and french knots.

 



For several years I had my fun....Christmas dresses, birthday frocks, playtime rompers....every occasion became an excuse for another creation.
 

And then my Doll Baby turned four and a half.

   

 Easter Sunday, 2001 did not go well. Doll Baby had wanted a shocking pink velour number with silver sequins but instead got a homemade gingham pinafore. I in turn received a truly terrifying preview of adolescent rebellion. I'll skip the gory details but  needless to say that was the last smocked anything I made for her. I have not budged but then again neither has she. Now, as a Sweet Sixteener her fashion tastes remain within the realms of velour and sequins...a combination that just so happens to be par for the course at her favorite shopping haunts Pink and Juicy Couture.

 Baring the occasional baby gift here and there, my pleater has for years been empty of fabric. Not much fun for the pleater or for me. So in the spirit of embracing all things "FUN" this year I've decided to do something about it. Amanda-Jane is headed to the Etsy shop and hopefully some new adventures in sewing.

 

And what about me?

It just may be that I've got some new doll baby adventures right around the corner.