* This article can be found in Sew Beautful Issue #105, March / April 2006 *
For a printable PDF version of this article, click here
For a printable PDF version of this article, click here
Sue Johnson and I have worked together on numerous pictorials and articles for Sew Beautiful over the past 10 years, and in that time, we have not only become dear friends, but she has assumed the role of my second mother. She offers advice on life and literally begged me to have a baby every chance she got – just like a mother. When my son Aiden was born, Sue jumped at the chance to make him something precious for his first Easter portrait, and, I have to admit, I jumped at the opportunity to let her do it.
For this design, Sue used the “Baby Bubbles” pattern from The Children’s Corner along with the embroidered spoke collar pattern and design from Julia Golson’s book, Basic Embroidery. She widened the bubble pattern to allow for more densely packed pleats. To coordinate with the tiny blue flowers on the collar, she stitched an all-blue geometric design on the bubble using DMC Six-Strand Embroidery Cotton #3725-light blue. The bubble is Imperial batiste, and the collar is Nelona Swiss batiste with tea-dyed ecru lace insertion (1/2-inch L-2/778) and a matching lace edging (7/8-inch L-2/773) from Martha Pullen Company. The crotch and back bodice button with pearl buttons.
INSTRUCTIONS
Use DMC Six-Strand Embroidery Cotton #3725 Blue. Pleat seven rows. Top and bottom rows are holding rows.
Design is worked from Row 1 to Row 5 to the width of the yoke.
1. Starting on Row 1 at left side, up cable one, trellis down one to Row 1-1/2, cable five, trellis up one to Row 1, cable one. Continue across row.
2. Starting on Row 2 at left side, down cable one, trellis up one to Row 1-1/2, cable five, trellis down one, cable one. This is a mirror image of the previous row, which will continue across this row.
3. Alternate Steps 1 and 2 down remaining rows from Row 2 to Row 5, as shown on graph, ending on Row 5-1/2. -SB
Sue Johnson is the owner of The Country Mouse providing resources for heirloom sewing and designs by commission. She has been a contributor to Sew Beautiful magazine for over 10 years.
For a printable PDF version of this article, click here