Smocking up a Storm - Blue floral pique dress

I bought a kit for this dress on special a couple of years ago to smock for one of the twins when they reached 4. It is from Australian Smocking and Embroidery Issue 80 and is called 'Babe". Then, at the Country Bumpkin sale of model dresses earlier this year, I found the model of this dress and, at $15, couldn't resist it, even though I already had the kit.

Veronica couldn't resist it either, and the model became hers. To make the kit or not? A consultation with Niamh decided it, and I began smocking. It felt pretty odd, I must say, making an identical dress for a twin who does not look like her sister, and never dresses the same. Would it be an anticlimax for the wearer?

It's a lovely fabric - powder blue pique with dark pink roses. It pleats and smocks beautifully.

The smocking is fairly simple and very elegant - a scalloped effect with a lattice in the centre.

The embroidered roses are NOT bullions, but cast-ons. Not only is this a nice change to stitch, but they look really good - a good match to the roses on the fabric.


The thread colours are beautifully matched as is the dark pink fabric for the piping.

I embroidered a small initial on the yoke to identify the owner and distinguish between this one and the model (on which I am currently replacing lost buttons!).


I like this dress a lot, but I am going to resist buying kits on special in future, unless I have a particular occasion in mind. Too complicated!