COLLEGIATE FABRICS

THREE CHEERS FOR YOUR FAVORITE TEAM!!!

RA!! RA!! RA!!



*****During the month of November, All Team Fabrics are 20% off*****



Come by today and check out these deals while they last!



Visit the website-- www.thesmockshoppe.com-- to view all our Collegiate fabrics.

Beautiful Fall Bishop

This bishop was smocked by a customer; what a great way to get fall colors without using dark fabrics!


Note how pretty that neckbands is.
To cut so that the pattern is accented as in this sample you need to you need to first check the direction of the print. Prints, unlike woven patterns, may not be printed with the grain. Bias is always cut at true bias (a 45 degree angle with the grain). Sometimes a print may not be true but if it is not off very much you can cut it to line up a pattern. Always keep in mind that you have to allow for the seam allowances needed to sew the bias on. For example. if you need a 1/4" seam allowance your pattern repeat should start after that 1/4th.

We have this fabric available in this color way as well as an orange, blue and green combo. (Others have purchased the second color combo for a twist on the WAR EAGLE look!)

We offer this fabric by the yard, as a ready to smock kit (bishop is cut out, shoulder seams done, sleeve treatment of choice, pleated and tied off) and also as a ready to smock garment (all you need to do is smock it, remove the gathering threads, and let you angel look so pretty in it). We even can smock it for you!

Any fabrics you see on our site can be done in this manner whether it is a bishop, yoke dress, bubble, button on, or other styles.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Mary

WOW! All I can say is that is the craziest looking post below yet! I am so sorry! I don't know what happened! I hope to do better! If you can't follow it, contact me on FB!
Jennifer

More New Smocking Designs and Patterns

Crosseyed Cricket has some new smocking designs .... we've already ordered them and they are on the way to the shop! Contact the shop to reserve your copies now!

Oliver + S is also coming out with three new patterns for the fall season!We will be ordering these patterns as soon as they are available. If you would like for us to pre-order for you, please contact the shop and let us know which pattern(s) you would like and the size.

Replcement Books and A New Shipment

A few weeks ago, we received word from Michie' Mooney that some of her Beginning Smocking books were missing pp. 17, 18, 19, & 20 (these are the center pages). If you purchased a book in January when I brought them back from market, you should be fine, but check. The books that were missing the pages were from the last printing.
We have received the replacements.....if you purchased your book from the shop and are missing the pages, please bring it by so we can exchange it for you.


We have also received several popular Maja's Heirlooms patterns that we have not had in stock: Justin (boys' shirt and shorts), Jesse (boy or girl short or long romper), Felix (boys' shorts/pants and shirt), Sophie (girls' top, pants with no side seam....small size has romper) , Corey bubble, and Jordan romper. I have used the Sophie pants pattern for my son when I have wanted a pattern with no side seam. The pattern has a ruffle on the bottom so I add the length that I need to the appropriate size (and omit the ruffle, of course!).

Lastly, new McCarn smocking designs..... "Monkey Shines," "Baby Hearts for Kerry," "Lacey," and "Olivia Grace," which you can view here:

http://www.ellenmccarn.com/new.html

New Classes and Website

Beginning Machine French Sewing Class
(Teacher: Mary Strickland)
Dates-Wednesday, August 10 and Thursday, August 11
Time- 1:00-4:00
Project-Daygown
Cost-$45.00 plus cost of kit



Tatting (Teacher: Amy Young)
Dates: Monday, Thursday-August 15, 19, 22, 25
Time: 10:00-11:30 OR 6:00-7:30 (you choose time)
Cost-$40.00 plus cost of supplies (purchase at The Smock Shoppe)



Beginning Smocking (Teacher: Mary Strickland)
Dates: Mondays-August 15, 22, 29
Time: 6:30-8:30
Cost-$45.00 (includes kit)



Bishop Construction (Teacher: Mary Strickland)
Dates: Wednesday and Thursday, August 24 and 25
Time: 6:30-8:30
Cost: $45.00 (You must have a smocked bishop ready to construct to take this class.)



Crochet (Teacher: Rose Cooper)
Date: September 8th
Time: 6:00-7:30
Cost: $25.00 plus cost of supplies (purchase at The Smock Shoppe)



Shadow Work Embroidery (Teacher: Sally Everett)
Begins September 8...length will be determined by project which has yet to be determined



For all classes, please call the shop to sign up...
(334)793-8233




OUR WEBSITE: The website is finally up! You can visit the shop online at www.thesmockshoppe.com. We are not able to do online orders yet but you can view some of our stock. We try to post fabrics as they come in. To order, call the shop and one of our associates will be happy to assist you with your sewing needs.

A Little "Lilly" Inspiration

While strolling through a department store in the late winter or early spring, I spotted some of the most darling shift dresses in the girls' department. These "Lilly" dresses are the perfect choice for the south's hot summer weather. Not having a little girl, I immediately thought of my sweet little cousins. The "Lillian" by Children's Corner was the perfect pattern for me to make my version of those dresses. I knew the fabric wanted to use, too....the "preppy" pink, green, and yellow whales!

Children's Corner "Lillian"

My "Lilly" Dress and detail on back...

For three little cousins...two little dresses and a pair of shorts! The shorts are for my son. A great pattern is the "Felix" by Maja's Heirlooms. I lenghten it for by son. I added the patch pockets on the sides....after sewing the side seams, lay the coordinating fabric on the side and decide how large you want the pocket. My finished pockets are about 8" by 8".

One of our white tees with a gingham applique or a simple navy monogram is perfect with the shorts complete this outfit!

New from Wendy Schoen and Petite Poche

Five of the sweetest patterns from Wendy Schoen Designs are now available! Mastering Shadow Work Embroidery is a must for everyone interested in this beautiful art! Please call the shop to reserve your copies...they are sure to go quickly but we can always reorder! 334-793-8233

Yes, We're Here!!!

I can't believe it's been almost TWO months since my last blog post! Life has been crazy, and it's sometimes difficult when I'm in one city and the shop is in another....that's life, right?

Onto the important things....

Crochet Class: June 7th, 6:00-7:30, the cost of the class is $25.00, not including supplies. Rose is teaching the class. Call the shop to reserve you spot.

Brite White is coming in! Now's the time to freshen all those spring and summer creations! We also carry sodium perborate. Both are excellent washing agents for heirloom garments.

A COOL new piece that's PERFECT for summer dresses, skirts, shorts, or anything else you can thing of! So cute!

Remember, anything you see on the blog is available for shipping! Simply call the shop and we will be happy to help you! (334) 793-8233

SPRING FABRIC COMBINATIONS

***Let me preface this post with I don't HOW it's going to LOOK! Blogger is doing crazy things, or maybe it's the user! I hope it's understandable! Some really fun and fresh fabrics are in the shop right now and these are a few of the combinations we put together yesterday. The bubble fish aren't new for us but this color combo is...LOVE the orange, yellow, blue, and seafoam! Yes, that is pima seafoam gingham! It's been missing for a while and a favorite of mine! PERFECT for a baby boy or girl! The FIRST picture features a Riley Blake trio with pink and turquoise pima checks, and turquoise and red piques. These are GORGEOUS!!!!

The last floral picture is my personal favorite....so fresh! It's a sweet a aqua and lime swirl flower with the lime pique and aqua pima gingham check.

These are some patterns I thought of for outfits with the above fabrics: Children's Corner Macy, Ellen, Isabella; Bonnie Blue Riley, new Summer Irene (cute...ruffles on hiney!); Maja's Sophie, Larkin

Now, for some little guys! We have campers and two different cute little car/auto prints. The latter two are small scale prints and can be used for tiny fellows, too. All are perfect for shorts or rompers. The shop has several other boy prints, as well as many checks which I LOVE for little boys! If you're making shorts, be sure to check out our top quality line of tees to match.

Boy patterns to use: shorts-Maja's Felix; Children's Corner Jackson; Rompers- my favorites- Maja's Donald; Children's Corner Johnny

Don't ever hesitate to call the shop to ask about our current selection of fabrics and patterns!

Happy Sewing!!!

Crochet Class

Are you interested in learning to crochet? Now's the perfect time! Rose will be teaching a beginner crochet class on Thursday, April 7th from 5:30 to 7:30. The cost of the class is $25.00. This doesn't include supplies. If you are interested, please call the shop to sign up (334) 793-8233.

Soft Shorts

Do you love the minky/cuddlecloth fabric in the cold weather months? Did you know it also makes a soft, sweet pair of shorts for your little girl too? I saw the idea somewhere so I thought I would give it a try for my two little cousins. They turned out precious! The fabric is lightweight so I think they will be perfect for spring. Here's a peek at one outfit...

I used Maja's Heirlooms Sophie for the shorts. The pattern doesn't show a ruffle on the shorts so I cut off the hem allowance and added a hemed ruffle. This pair is a size 8. On the smaller pair, rather than hemming the ruffle, I doubled the fabric. I like the look of this but it was more difficult to gather.

We have the following colors of minky/cuddlecloth: Tiffany blue (pale aqua) that I used above; light pink; light blue; white; and chocolate. It makes wonderful appliques too. Wouldn't light pink shorts and a bunny applique be so cute for an Easter Egg hunt?

If you can't visit the shop, call us and we will be happy to fill your order and send it to you!

Happy Sewing!

Machine French Sewing Class

Mary will be teaching a Machine French Sewing Class on Wednesday, March 23, and Thursday, March 24. The class will meet from 1:00-4:00 each day. This is a beginning technique class. You will make Sarah Howard Stone's Babette. The class fee is $60.00. The pattern and kit are not included in the fee.

Please call the shop to sign up for this very popular class!
334-793-8233

More New Fabrics

These beautiful coodinates arrives at the shop on Monday! Aren't they fun?! There are so many options for little girls' outfits with these fabrics...we can't wait to see your creations!





We also received the Mary Kathryn Barton patterns, some of which were featured in the "White Issue" of "Sew Beautiful."

A little reminder: Easter is 7 weeks away! Time to begin sewing if you haven't already! (Hint to me!!!)

They're Here!

The two laminated fabrics that we ordered at market in January arrived this past week!

I (Jennifer) cannot wait to make my Little Guy a rain jacket from the bicycle print! I love the gray! I plan to use the Oliver + S School Days Jacket & Coat Pattern. I have never made this before or sewn on laminate. I searched the internet for some tips and found two different sites. I am sharing those links with you at the end of the post.

For little girls, I think the daisy print would be precious in a rain jacket but I can also see a darling poncho!!! How fun would that be?! We will be on the look-out for a poncho pattern but I think you could probably find a vintage one online somewhere.

Don't forget to check out the links below. The one from Michael Miller fabrics is from a post on making a splat mat which is another fun use of this fabric! I included it because they give get tips for sewing laminated fabric.

http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/pdfs/Laminated_Tips.pdf

http://www.michaelmillerfabrics.com/Blog/splat_mat_Tutorial.pdf

Reversible Dress

If you remember, one of the patterns we got at market in January was the Trisha's Treasures "Exchange Dress" which is a drafting guide for the Children's Corner "Lucy". The two pictures above show Rose's dress spring dress using the Exchange Dress pattern. It is totally reversible so her granddaughter has 2 dress in 1.....how cute is it?! On one side, she appliqued flowers and on the other, a bunny.

We still have a few copies of the pattern available, and can get more, of course. Call or email the shop for yours!

Matching Outfits

A Little Something for A Sister and Brother...


This sweet vintage-inspired outfits were made from Carol and Christopher Baby Dress, Bubble Two-Piece Suit, and Diaper Shirt Pattern by Lyn Weeks Designs. The pattern, many fabric choices, and notions are available in the shop. Come by or call to to yours!

A SPECIAL FRIEND

IN MEMORY

Many of you remember our dear friend, Pat Calloway, who passed away on January 9th. Pat had such a loving spirit, and offered her friendship freely. When my husband Wayne was ill, she volunteered in the shop so that it would be easier for me to spend more time at home with him. She was always ready to give advice and share her sewing skills with everyone.

Pat lovingly created beautiful garment after garment for her fourteen grandchildren, and in the past few years, for her two beloved great grandchildren. Many knew that Pat had rheumatoid arthritis, but no one ever heard her complain. She was a wonderful example for all of us.

We hope that all who knew Pat will be able to join us on Wednesday, February 9th, for a celebration of Pat’s life and her friendship to all of us. We will have on display many of Pat’s lovely creations. Members of her family will be here; please stop by and let the family know how much Pat has meant to us.

Mary Strickland

CELEBRATION IN MEMORY OF

PAT CALLOWAY

THE SMOCK SHOPPE
1445 WESTGATE PARKWAY
DOTHAN, AL 36303

Wednesday, February 9th

5:30-7:30 PM

RSVP 334-793-8233

Exchange Dress

This is the "Trisha's Treasures Exchange Dress" that was the previous featured on the previous post. I found this picture that I took at the fall market. It is a redrafting pattern that you use with the "Children's Corner Lucy." It's a wonderful year-round dress!


We have something new and excited just around the corner at The Smock Shoppe! Be sure to check your email, the blog, and Facebook frequently in the next week!

New from Market

Trisha's Treasures "Exchange Dress" pattern redrafting project guide is one of most anticipated patterns! It will go quickly! (You need Children's Corner Lucy for this also.)

We have been waiting for the reprinting of Lyn Weeks'"Frannie" and "Frannie's Big Sister." This dress has the sweetest yoke....a beautiful design for Easter!

Summertime Baby: This is a darling shadow work, embroidery, and baby sewing book!

The two fabrics above are LAMINATES!!!! They should be arriving soon! We are very excited...can't wait to create rain jackets for our little girls and boys!


All of the fabrics below have already arrived and are GORGEOUS! Each are 60" wide. We have other fabrics will be arriving soon that were also ordered at market.