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Smocked Girls Dresses; Ideas & Inspiration

After 2 boys, my little sister just found out she is having a girl! She is due this summer, and we are all ecstatic for her!!

She found out when my Dad was here babysitting while we were in France, so the night before he left I packed up “the Dresses” to send to her.  Most of my kid’s clothes I have given away, but I kept in my daughter’s closet certain ones that were “extra special”. I never wanted to pack them away for fear of forgetting about them.
So that night I got them out of the closet and sent them off to Utah.  Before I did, though, I snapped some photos of the ones I had made over the years.
So indulge me a bit today, as I have a nostalgic “my kids are getting so big moment”… as I share some of the dresses I have made with you.
Just a note… I snapped these photos VERY late at night and did not have time to iron any of the dresses! Some of them look “wonky” because they are not on the hangers straight… sorry! 
This one was actually a gift for my niece…
Easter Dress from a few years ago
Another Easter Dress
Yet another Easter dress, I can’t believe how little she was!
She wore this one for my sister’s wedding, so it seems appropriate that my sister gets it now. I hope the formula stains come out of it ok…
Just a fun summer dress. It’s reversible, one of my favorite patterns, Lucy by Children’s Corner
Easter again…
One of my favorites of all time…
I’m so excited to have a new baby niece this summer!!! Oh my she is going to be so fun to sew for!!

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22 Comments

  1. Very adorable dresses!! Isn’t having a girl so fun?!! My daughter (she’s 5) has gotten so picky about what she wants to wear, so I guess it use to be fun for me, but now it’s frustrating!! Most of the time I just go with it. I try to make sure she only has clothes in her closet that I love. Otherwise she’ll pick out the ugly stuff and insist on wearing it! But if she’s only got cute stuff, then most of the time she looks okay – except her idea of “matching” is far from my idea of it. lol
    Congrats to you sister!!! yay!

  2. I think it’s wonderful that you can share the dresses that you made with so much love can give to your new little niece. I am sure she will feel very loved and special wearing those treasures.

  3. oooh I love little girly dresses. I have dresses that my Grandma smocked for me, that my girls wore. So sweet! Little girls & Nieces are so fun to sew for. I have 3 little girls of my own and I have 6 nieces! That is a lot of sewing fun to be had!

  4. What fun that the newest member of the family will be a little girl! I recognize a few of those sweet smocking plates from Creative Needle. A great magazine that is terribly missed.

    These dresses are made with such love, and perfect for passing from one family member to another. As an owner of an heirloom sewing and smocking shop, I adored seeing them. Thank you so much for sharing with your sister and us!

  5. I love your smocking dresses! I have always wanted to tackle smocking but the pleating intimidates me. Any suggestions for sites or books to get me (and your other smocking challenged followers) started?

  6. Wow! Thank you for sharing. This morning I pulled out my first smocking project which has been stored for a few months. Your pictures are an inspiration. My project is for a granddaughter’s first birthday in June.

  7. People are getting away from dressing their children in Easter clothes in my hometown. It does my heart good to see your children looking so fine in theirs throughout the years

  8. I loved your dress parade! I do exactly the same thing except my daughter that I smocked for is 20 years old now! I have saved my absolute favorites for her daughter when she has one. Right now I am enjoying making the first of 3 blessing gowns for my grandchildren this year. I made one of Martha Pullen’s grandmother’s hope chest patterns with shark’s teeth and inserted lace going down the front. Never tried that technique before and it was a lot of fun!

  9. Seriously? You made all of those!?! I’m blown away right now. I love the one that was from your Sisters’ wedding. The colors were just so sweet. That’s great to share the love by passing them on to your sis. Congrats to her!

  10. Holy smocking, batman. Wow. That is a skill I would love to learn. Your girls must be some of the best dressed around. Thanks for sharing some great inspiration.

  11. What wonderful little dresses! For baby stains I use Dreft Laundry soap it has gotten everything out for me. Even stains that has been there from my previous kid. Good luck and have fun with your new little niece.

  12. M-

    What gorgeous dresses and how special that you can give them to your soon-to-be niece. They are beautiful and I understand why you kept them all. I had no idea you could smock, but I’m not surprised. What can’t you do?!

    Sorry to read about the finger incident. So scary. Glad that it doesn’t require surgery, but two visits to the doctor and stitches is bad enough. Reminded me of Traci’s little sweetie. Hope you are healed soon!

  13. oh my…i just found this wonderful site today. And, now i’m totally addicted to it. I’m pretty sure we could be best friends!! My youngest, of 3 girls, is 5 so my smocking days are over. But, i smocked that cute purse dress too!!! Fun fun times!!

  14. I stumbled upon your blog while perusing Pinterest. Had to write a comment and tell you how much I love “The Dresses” post. Our family also has “The Dresses”. These are a series of exquisite smocked dresses that have been gifted by an Auntie that has lived in Spain for 45 years (think Auntie Mame!).She started sending them to her first niece and ended with the 5th! “The Dresses” have all been passed around, over, shipped, reshipped, and cherished. Since my daughter is the youngest, I was the “keeper” of the dresses. I was delighted to mail them off to Michigan three years ago when my niece gave birth to two beautiful little girls. “The Dresses” are now on their second generation. PS- My daughter even wore one of MY smocked dresses for her second birthday. Thanks for sharing your family’s tale.

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