Monday, November 22, 2010

Anyone for Smocking?

Surprise Gift
I received an early morning phone call the other day - well it seemed early as I was still under warm covers and reading with a cup of tea at hand - from a wonderful quilting woman who was very kind to me when I first arrived to live here in Canada. She said she remembered that I once had mentioned I used to enjoy smocking when my children were young. Apparently she had received some goods that someone wanted to pass on to new owners and among them was a 'Sally Stanley Smocking Pleater' and a pile of books (I have only pictured half of them!). Well, as soon as she saw it she said she thought of me and was just phoning to see if I'd like them. Yes, yes, yes! What a wonderful morning surprise for me and, well, of course I could not ignore such serendipity! So now I have a beautifully maintained smocking pleater and many books redolent with their previous owner's fervour - handwritten notes and a very warm cloth-oriented spirit attached. I feel very blessed. I am also conscious of a sense of stewardship and privelege. I do not know who they belonged to yet I feel a sweet connection with her. I'm not sure when I will begin smocking again, however I feel confident that I will.

At close of weekend needle I have been trying different border fabrics for the rabbit small cloth. I am debating whether I have made the base cloth too long for the rabbit or even for two rabbits. We shall see! I have also nearly completed the second bear small cloth. Christmas is drawing nearer and it feels great to have a little pile of storycloths ready.

Happy stitching wishes, Gilly

14 comments:

  1. always loved looking at smocked baby clothing. i have a kit of 12 blocks of little girls dresses with some smocking. i managed to stitch one block but it is another wip. it is the cutest quilt ever with redwork in between the stitched dresses. at least, your post reminded me of it.

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  2. gilly, i can take pictures of the pattern and the block i completed. can you send me your e-mail address? i will NOT publish it.

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  3. Wow Gilli, back to the oooooold technique!!!
    A VERY long time ago I made a skirt in smock .. (for myself, that was !)That was a LOT of stitching.
    I think I stick to my little cloths now...

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  4. How wonderful. I haven't smocked in years either and now, with my first grandchild on the way my mind has been on smocking for some reason.

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  5. Oh, Gilly, I am green with envy. I've been looking for a smocker for ages! Not to do traditional smocking, but to experiment with. Lucky girl.

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  6. Hi Els - yes the old style - well I guess I have an English traditional background in many ways. I don't think my children feel it as much but I certainly do. But I KNOW what you mean about 'little cloths' - so great to work with. Gilly

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  7. Hi Dolores- first grandie? - oh a perfect time to smock - no better reason! Gilly

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  8. Hey Penny - if you lived around the corner you could borrow it at will! BTW your son's artwork is stunning. Gilly

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  9. Gilly you are just so lucky to have something like this handed on to you....I reckon its fate. can't wait to see what beauties you produce with this.

    xt

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  10. how lucky! i was just as thrilled when my m-i-l offered the family feather weight! i always had wanted one.
    now i have never seen a pleater so am glad to see it pictured here. there is a pleating attachment dot the featherweight but i have no idea how to use it!

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  11. Hi Gilly, When my daughter was little I used to buy her these little Polly Flinder ( think that was the name) Dresses and they always had beautiful smocking on them. They were my favorite. Can't imagine being able to make one. And if it were me I would be trying to think of any way that I could use the process to do something very non traditional or unexpected lol. Hope you atleast try it!!! Good for you .. :)

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  12. gilly! where are you? i hope you haven't gotten tangled up in the smoking machine!

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  13. ha ha ...smocking machine i meant!

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  14. Thanks everyone - It is so nice to hear from you. Have a wonderful Christmas. See you soon. Gilly

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