Friday, January 15, 2010

Machine Embroidery - Freehand








Sometimes my imagination almost exceeds my ability! This is my first try at freehand machine embroidery...what was I thinking? Never the less, I thought I'd share a project I did for Emma's crib. It was a machine embroidered bumper pad with Nursery Rhyme figures. I think all totaled...there are six. It took much longer than I expected. Unfortunately it didn't stay in her crib too long as that extra bounce that I thought it needed was just what she needed to stand on to exit the crib. We have her crib set up in the guest room at my house and she will not let us take it down. She insists on sleeping in her "Little Girl" bed at Nana's house. At four she will have to move to a "Big Girl" bed this summer.

13 comments:

Goosegirl said...

Oh Gwen, I just love these bunnies so much. I wish I could come over to your house and watch how you do this. I don't understand how it works, but it is so lovely.

I am laughing about her stepping on the "extra bounce" to get out of her crib. Both of my girls were climbers and would use anything to escape the crib. But those poor, beautiful bunnies having little chubby baby feet stepping on them, it makes me smile. I miss chubby baby feet.

Shannon said...

I am so thrilled to find your blog. I smocked your Little Mermaids plate and your Ballerinas plate for my daughter several years ago. Those were two of my favorite dresses ever. I look forward to seeing more pretty projects from you!

Jeannie B. said...

We all know you Gwen!!! Your famous in the Smocking World!! I had to look to see if you were THE Gwen ------!! And yes you are! You have a beautiful Grand daughter. I'm sure you'll have fun sewing and smocking for her. I hope you reprint your Peter Cottontail, copyright 1985 in some form. It is the cutest Bunny plate I have ever seen!

La Table De Nana said...

Oh my gosh cute children and clothes and crafts:)

Sewconsult said...

Oh, my goodness, I can't believe I just stumbled upon your blog. I should have been folding laundry, but decided to browse a while. I, too, used many of your smocking plates in years past. Your bumper pads are darling. They need to be hung as wall decor if not in use.
Welcome to the world of blogging.
Beckie in Brentwood, TN
(owner of The Wishing Well in yrs past!)

Smocking with Gwen said...

Thanks so much for all the "warm fuzzies"! I have decided that this is the year that I will get those favorites reprinted. It's a shame not to. Grandchildren, Austin and Emma have kept us so busy. My son-in-law just returned from his third deployment to Iraq/Afghanistan. Emma was three weeks old when he left for his second tour. I have to say that as much as I love smocking, holding that sweet baby girl was so much more important over the last four years. "We're" more independent now so that will leave "Nana" more time to smock.

Barbara said...

How beautiful they all are. Much more elaborate than the basic diamond smocking.

The Muse said...

This is art!
As a Nanny (grandmother) i love this, as an artist i see the beauty and the hard work...
off to see more of your blog...
truly lovely!

Becky said...

Beautiful work - beautiful grandchildren. I hope you will post often to inspire us all. I've been looking for the Peter Cottontail smocking plate also. Are you still selling a few or do we have to wait for a reprint? I think it's my favorite, and I would love to have it at some point. Looking forward to seeing more of your beautiful creations.

The Tablescaper said...

Wow! beautiful, just beautiful.

- The Tablescaper

jnglo said...

Gwen,
I love your princess plate! Is that a plate that you have published? I have a granddaughter who is very much into princess anything. Jean

Marysia said...

Hi there Gwen,

Just found your blog as someone showed your lovely Petter Cottontail picture smocking plate.

Can you tell me where I can purchase your smocking plates from?

I am a very keen pattern drafter/designer/smocker and just getting into picture smocking.

Thanks for sharing via your blog
Marysia.

Lindsay RC Wilson said...

Gwen, I had seen your blog a couple months ago when I started smocking. I just ventured into picture smocking and was trying to hunt down an adorable bunny I saw elsewhere, only to find my way back to you, and the comments on this post. You mentioned you may have Peter Cottontail reprinted. Did this happen? If so, where might I find this plate? Thanks!