Recently I found this page that tells you all about how to do a sort of smocking using your sewing machine. Its a Martha Stewart tutorial and while I’m not a fan (bit too overly commercial and crafty for me) it looks pretty easy and I’m sure its all in the way you wind the elastic around your bobbin. Being a ‘pretend’ sewer means that I can pretend I know what I’m doing so I’m going to pretend away and have a go. Might have to try it out on some scrap first methinks.

Anyway, in anticipation of this actually working I have been buying fabric from all over the place for the girls. Actually I’ve bought some for a few other people, should the whole exercise be a success. I sound confident don’t I. I’m not as cynical about it as I sound, I like to say I’m a realist (one of those expect the worst and then if it goes well you get a nice surprise kind of people). So without further adieu I give you, the fabric!! Loving the colours (not all pink and purple for a change). I’m not telling you which fabric is for other people, just in case they happen to read this.

I have a feeling that not all the fabrics shown will become little smocked dresses and tops but if my plans succeed then they will have a few each.

When I was in Cairns we visited a fabric shop which is closing down. Actually I think from the amount of stock they have it will take around 10 years to close down but I don’t mind. They had every sort of ribbon and trim that you could think of, even seat belt stuff and stretchy belt stuff. I’m a bit of a ribbon hoarder so I had a field day there, here’s some of my stash:

Much of this will become the straps for the dresses. Stay tuned and in a few weeks time I might have something to show for my planning.