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Smocking and heirloom sewing with beautiful batiste fabric and tana lawns and sweet cottons is a huge “rabbit hole” for new grandmas. My granddaughter is now 24 and I sewed practically nothing else until she was too big for such dresses. Such wonderful memories. I, too, obtained a pleater (still have it because, who knows?). We do still have them all and they will be passed down to the next generation and who knows? Maybe there are still a few smocked dresses left in me is a great grandchild ever appears. Darn it, I hate that there’s an ocean between us (I’m in US) because I’d love to spend an afternoon showing you all the wonderful patterns, books and paraphernalia I have for such sewing. Smocking is very relaxing to do while you relax and watch TV or just want to relax in a snuggly chair with a cup of tea. Have fun and don’t hesitate to contact any of us older smocking grandmas if we can help.

Love making things for my granddaughter. She was a surprise baby, as my daughter was 40. She was born in the first year of the pandemic and the shops were closed. My daughter lives 3K miles away in the middle of Canada and between us and my stash made all the crib sheets, burp cloths, swaddling clothes, receiving flannels, 1st nighties, quilts, blankets, knitted and crocket jackets, hats - just everything she would need and unable to get at that time to set up a nursery. It was great fun. I recently made 3 felt mice, who sleep in large oyster shells collected on our beach, with little blankets to go over them. She is coming out with her Mom & Dad to spend a month with us this summer. So looking forward to it. That is what life is all about.

When my daughter, who is the same age as Tamlyn, was little I wanted to smock dresses for her. My husband bought me a pleater, which gathers up all the fabric for you. Then you just smock on top of it. I made lots of dresses for her and I am now making smocked dresses for my granddaughters. I really enjoy it and I’m sure your daughter will love all the sweet clothes you are making for her baby girl. Enjoy

… Rachel your joy is infectious , love all your nana made this legacy plans I sing this what life is all about ., and the possibilities for the Luna bunny are perfect for every occasion , meaning you can add something as a gift for Easter Halloween spring winter … endless fun and a great scrap buster too , oh and matching Luna and Layla outfits 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼💙💙💙‼️‼️‼️‼️

Congratulations on your grandchild Layla … grandchildren are magical 💞

For the future, it would be great if you could make the rabbit a dress and your granddaughter a dress in the same fabric. She will go crazy for this. But not until she’s three or four. Lovely ideas from a lovely grandmother. You look so happy.

Well, I can’t wait to see the hand-smocked dress!!!!

It is so much fun spoiling are little ones!!!! You will have such fun.

Well done you for tackling hand smocking! When her girls were little, a friend went smock-crazy and made the cutest things! She didn't have half the machine capabilities you do. I imagine you could machine-smock fairly easily which makes your decision to do it by hand even more impressive. Go Nana go!

The smocked dress is going to be gorgeous 💕💕. I can’t wait to see it made up x

Lovely ideas from a great grandma❤

The smocked dress will be beautiful. I have made so many Lunas for gifts I absolutely love making them they are beautiful heirloom gifts.

What lovely makes for your granddaughter ❤

Keep the scraps of everything you make for Layla. Then take pictures of her wearing the garments. When she’s older you can transfer the pictures to fabric and use the scraps to make her a quilt! I’m working on one for my first granddaughter. She’ll be 28 in September! 🤪❤️

Hope you got on well with your plans for the little bunny dress. It will be adorable 🥰.

I just had a baby girl, and my mum has embroidered blankets etc for her. I'm absolutely going to give my daughter all the items to give to her family when she has one, so it becomes a family Heirloom ❤ it's such a beautiful thought!

Layla's blessed to have you!

Yay! I can't wait to see what you do with the smocking and the little hat. I remember doing smoking about 30 years ago, it's a bit tedious, but very cute when finished. It is pretty easy. Best of luck with it all. I'm envious, now I have two grandsons and they are boring to sew for.

As your granddaughter grows up she will have great fun going through your stash picking out fabrics for you to make something for her @belleandboo have the sweetest fabrics for children @sewamelia has done smocking, she has made some lovely dresses for her daughter

Love your vlogs and I couldn't believe it when you held up the Luna Lapin book! I too have just had a first Grandchild, In February. Her name is Lili. She and her Mummy and Daddy live in Sweden. We went out there for Easter so I made her a Luna :) It is such a lovely make, quite a bit of hand sewing which I really enjoyed, but so lovely to see the end result. Lili loved it, she held onto her arm and I have some fab photos which her equally fab parents took of her for me. I made the t.shirt dress and desperately want to make the little cloak. Enjoy it all xx

Some gorgeous ideas for your lovely granddaughter. I can't wait to see them. Thank you so much for taking part in #selflesssewapril23 ❤

These will be gorgeous makes Rachel. I used to make many hand smocked dresses and found it much easier to just pleat the top edge of the front skirt piece instead of making a panel to insert. I'll be interested to see how you do it. I'm sure it will be wonderful whatever method you use.

I learned to smock at school when I was about ten and have forgotten every bit of it sadly .in this time of hardship it’s about time sewing classes where bought back instead of throw away Britain

I did my first smocking project using the smocking dots. I used the then in publication Australian smocking and Embroidery magazine and made the design called "The Happy child" for my niece who as turning three at the time (she's now in her early 20's). I actually purchased a pleater after that project and smocked and embroidered clothes for my own children as they came along. It's such a beautiful form of fabric manipulation I have two smocked and embroidered christening gowns one of which won best in show at the Perth Agricultural show in Australia. My advice is to use a comb to smooth out the peats and even them out when you are preparing your fabric. I also advise not taking a huge chunk of the pleat with your needle as you make the stitch. Try and take a "bite" not a chunk of pleat when you make a stitch as this will help with the blocking method. I also advise drawing in the amscye and zigzagging over the one BEFORE you cut the armscye part and after you have blocked the insert. Use steam and lots of pins on the ironing board to block your piece and once dry it will be ready to sew with - remove all the pleating row threads except for the very top and bottom threads as this will help to retain the shape especially if you use mini piping when sewing the insert in. It has been some 7 years since I have smocked anything but you've inspired me to do something fun for my youngest who is 8. She's still small enough and it is considered rather trendy to have something with hand embroidery on clothing these days.

Ahhh the dress and sun hat will look great. Im sure you can easily do the smocking. Perhaps if you want to make another dress quickly you could do shirring instead of smocking? Cant wait to see it. The toy will be lovely too. Think I would want to machine sew it if possible. I have made toys before and when you stuff it you will need more stuffing than you think. When you think you have put enough in you need to put more in. Use a chopstick or something to push it down. It needs to be firm. Good luck with it all I'm sure it will all be gorgeous!

Love your videos , can’t wait to see Layla’s makes

❤these ideas! When my children were little I had grand plans to make Teddies and knit wardrobes for them. Of course as a new mum I had no time for that 😂. I hope someday I will be a grandma and can use the patterns I bought way back then. Legacy thoughts abound 😏

I smocked many clothes for my daughters and now my granddaughter is wearing them. I had a pleater that you run your fabric through and it pleats the fabric for you.

I’ve followed Rosery Apparel for a while now. I love her style. I have done smocking in college for a children’s wear collection but not in years.I’ve also made lots of stuffed animals and angels from Tilda Books. So much fun xxx

Great ideas love the smocking and can’t wait to see the results. I have made the Luna rabbit for my grandson but never made any clothes for him. Now I’m inspired to make him some haha. Can’t wait to see results. Love to Brontë and Layla

Rachel, I have made Luna and she’s very cute😊. As for the smocking, I know Amelia from SewAmelia has made several dresses like that for her daughter so I’m sure she could be a good resource for you as well.

Love your projects and can't wait to see them!

Such lovely ideas x

That little dress will be the cutest! It’s nice to see you so happy and to hear about baby Leyla. ❤

Excited to see Layla's smocked dress. It looks gorgeous. Good luck with all your projects.

Great ideas for your new granddaughter! Smocking isn't difficult; the pattern created by the embroidery is meant to keep the 'concertina' in place that you created with the gathering. You might enjoy researching the designs because at one time, they designated a man's trade and/or region and were as well known as Ukrainian shirt embroidery patterns. Also, the use of coloured embroidery floss is relatively new; they were done monochromaticly for the trades. There is so much history with them!

I've just about caved into buying Luna Lapin. Then I see there are a couple of other books. I love the one with the Highland Coo!!!!

Love your planned makes. I did smocking years ago at school & loved it, you have reminded me I bought a child’s pattern which I’ve never got around to making😮

You have lovely plans and I was so taken with Luna Lapins coat particularly. I used to make a lot of soft toys and rag dolls and this really tempted me back. I love your plans for Layla too. I’m making 2 dresses for my granddaughter ,almost one. They are the Geranium dress by made by Rae which I’ve made a few times now in different sizes and it’s a great little pattern and the Pansy dress by sewoverit which is a basic jersey dress, again I’ve made a few times. See if you have enough fabric to make matching knickers as my daughter-in-law loves these. I did a smocked dress for my niece years ago and suffice to say it’s the only one I’ve made. You need a really good light. Another idea for you is a mat to lay the baby on. I made one up for my grandson Henry in animal fabric and it’s been used loads. I made it quite big to cover a large area. Good luck with your plans and can’t wait to see them. 😊

Lovely video. Can't wait to see these finished. I know how much fun it is to have a baby granddaughter. Mine is 5 and loves everything Grandma makes for her.🥰 Also, keep in mind that every beautiful heirloom started out as a gift from a loving Grandma/Mom/etc. so it is entirely possible that that beautiful little smocked dress will end up in a museum in 100 years or so.

I have made the Luna Lapin it is very well instructed and to put together if i can you most certainly can ive not attempted the clothing not been brave enough, but fear not Luna is decently clothed in simple makes the clothing will not be an issue for you though happy sewing and Congratulations on your newly arrived Granddaughter its such an amazing feeling isn't it x

Loved this. You are making precious memories that will be treasured, isn't it just wonderful that those of us who sew can give such happiness. x

What a fabulous vlog, I was smiling all the way through seeing the joy in your face when you were talking about Layla. I can not wait to see the smocked dress . Thank you so much for supporting x

Hi Rachel. I have little once’s and found straps with hat quite constrictive. You could use some elastic on sides of straps to give her little wiggling room. Best wishes.

That was lovely - you need to check out Claire Englands you tube channel for tips on Luna plus she has worked out how to machine sew it but I prefer the hand stitched look. Be warned they are so addictive!!! You won’t stop at one, and definitely make the coat it’s fabulous 💕

Ah little Layla is going to be one well dressed baby with Nana Rachel on her team! Good luck with the smocking it looks scary! You still look loved up and positively glowing following Layla's arrival - maybe I should 'order' a grandchild 🤔😂🥰

Sewing for babies/children is just the best! I had never heard of Luna Lapin or bunting for that matter until I went to the UK. It’s awesome how social media brings us all together and we learn new things. Happy Sewing Rachel…

Congratulations to your family on they arrival of your 1st grand baby 💕I was think maybe you could do a sew along on the Luna Lapin as I have the same book it would so inspire me to make one too 😂🤣just a thought 🥰I have 14 grandchildren and 10 off them are girls Oldest being 19 ,youngest 6moths .

Gorgeous Rachel can’t wait to see everything made up. Sew Amelia makes gorgeous smocked dresses for her daughter. Good luck I’ve no doubt you’ll smash the smocking and become hooked 😊

The trouble with Luna is she is very addictive, she has many friends that need making too lol. Luna even has her own FB group.

I watched Sew Amelia do some smocking on one of her little girls dresses, it looked fab, very pretty. Maybe she would have some advice if you get stuck, I’m sure you will make a great job of all your makes for Layla x

Your projects look adorable! Especially Luna. Looking so forward to see the finished projects. 🥰

Up to the age of 8ish, my mum made virtually all of my clothes and many were smocked dresses. As long as you can hand stitch it's pretty straight forward. You will smash it. You used to be able to get iron on transfers for the dots and maybe you still can. Alternatively perhaps select gingham for your first attempt as that will give you a predetermined grid. My mother never used to gather the material but just used to take care setting the first row and then the rest followed. Enjoy your first creation, there will be many more !

Gorgeous ideas Rachel - I’ve never done smocking but I have no doubt you will smash it ❤

Awww loved this! Can’t wait to see them made up ❤

The smocked dress will be adorable! How is Peiper adjusting to little Layla? He's no longer the baby of the family now.❤

Congratulations, how exciting. Lucky Grandaughter with all your lovely plans. Have fun😊

Lovely projects for your granddaughter. I believe Luna can be made on a machine if you add seam allowance, I have also had this on my project list for years and not done it 😂. Smocking will look amazing x

Please do a reveal vlog, so we can see the smocking and luna

You remind me of myself last year, my first grandchild is now 1 year old and I made her lots of dresses and a Studio Seren mouse for her 1st birthday. The Maggie Rabbit is another pattern I’ve made previously. They’re all gorgeous so you’re granddaughter will treasure hers I’m sure. Never done smocking (shirring yes, smocking aaah no!) so can’t wait to hear how you get on as it could spur me on! Lovely vlog x

Lovely ideas, new grandchildren are a joy and very exciting times ahead. I have made Luna she is very fiddly. Good luck with the smocking, I look forward to seeing the results ❤

Im so excited for you and your Leyla projects Rachel xx

I think Sew Amelia has also done a smocking episode for her daughters dress last year?

Fabulous vlog! I have made a few Luna Lapins some by hand some machined . I always machine the ears do look really nice with liberty print inside! But I think hand sown ones are my fav's. Look forward to seeing your finished makes.

Can’t wait to see your smocking! X

Thank you Rachel, Wow your always so busy! Are you still selling your destash fabrics? I have messaged you to purchase some, but I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong? I made a hats for my granddaughters. I popped a tiny strip of velcro to keep it fastened

You’re going to be busy!

xXX👍👍👍

Such gorgeous ideas, especially the smocked dress for Layla! If you want any more ideas/help with the smocking, there is a fantastic RU-vid channel, @sarahclassicsewing with lots of ideas/tips/techniques for children's smocked dresses. I found her videos so helpful when making things for my little girl. I cannot wait to see how it turns out - I am sure it will look so beautiful!