My Mother's Needleart
I mentioned on my last post that I was going to do a post about an art that not many people do anymore. I have recently been mesmerised by Alicia Paulson's recent posts on her blog Posie gets Cozy. She and her husband are going through the long process of adopting a child and she has been sewing little girl dresses that are just so precious. If you scroll down through her posts you'll see some smocked dresses. Which brings me to the purpose of this post. My mother was a sewing teacher but the one art she loved the most and taught for quite a while was smocking. I am reminded of it every spring when I get this out for Easter.
It is one of my most treasured things. She also made many dresses for my daughter which I still have. Here are some pictures of some of those. First, a romper.
A dress with matching bonnet
Detail on a dress.
I love the sleeve detail on this dress.
A Christening dress.
I just wanted to show some of her work and I hope you enjoyed it. I remember when I was getting married she smocked an enormous white satin wreath and put that on the front door so everyone would know her daughter was getting married! I don't know what happenned to that wreath but I sure wish I had it now. She taught me and my sister, not my brothers though, to sew early on so she set the stage for our own needleart of quilting which both my sister and I do now. My Mom passed away in 1999 so I am surely happy I have these but I mostly wish I had learned how to smock from her.
What beautiful work. That is a lost art. You are so lucky to have them. Your mom sounds like a very talented lady. God bless and have a great week.
ReplyDeleteOh, those are beautiful! I had always promised myself that if I had a little girl, I would learn to smock. Well, my little girl is almost 23 years old and I still don't know how. Your treasures are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWow, she did absolutely gorgeous work!! The smocking is just unbelievable. I can tell you treasures these and I am sure your children will too. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou mom did beautiful work. I'm glad you kept those dresses, it will be nice to hand down to your daughter some day.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful handwork! Smocking always says "feminine and delicate" to me.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful, treasured work. Smocking is becoming a lost art. Those Easter eggs in a basket are perfect for the season. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful. Treasure them forever.
ReplyDeleteThis is am AMAZING post. Oh this work really reflects your mom and keeps here right here with us. Reading this: "I remember when I was getting married she smocked an enormous white satin wreath and put that on the front door so everyone would know her daughter was getting married!" made me so happy for you. Happy to have such a delightful Mom and a delightful memory. Gosh Chris, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen smocking for years. What a talent!
ReplyDeleteHappy Weekend ~Natalie
How fortunate you are to have such amazing and beautiful heirlooms from your mother. Obviously you inherited some of that talent!
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful your mother's smocking is! You are so lucky to have those treasures. My mother taught herself to smock, so she could make me clothes. Sadly, I have none of them now. I never really learnt how to do it nicely.
ReplyDeleteMy mom smocked me dresses too. Oh so lovely! I love these little dresses.
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