weekend links: special lisa edition

Liesl has been traveling this week, so she hasn’t been able to pull together her usual Friday roundup of links and inspirational images. But don’t despair! We have a special guest contributor for today’s weekending reading post. Here’s our special guest Lisa with her recommendations for the weekend.

Hi Everyone, I’m Lisa from Pink Hollybush Designs and I am so excited and honored to be here to share some weekend inspiration with you. Adding details that make an outfit special, while expressing my creativity, is what I love about sewing, and as the former President of the Smocking Arts Guild of America, I especially love handwork. With summer finally arriving (even here in New England), I find it so enjoyable to have some portable handwork stashed in my bag to work on while sitting through a child’s sports practice or keeping watch by the pool. So here are some ideas to help spark your sewing creativity, and get those creative juices flowing!

Both of the dresses below could be made with the Building Block Dress Book, or Ice Cream Dress pattern. The embroidery detail is just stunning.

embroidery inspiration

Dress 1, Dress 2

These You Tube videos from Mary Corbett will help if you are unsure how to work any of the stitches.

Of course, I have to suggest some smocking: and the Library Dress with its wide waistband is perfect for a smocked inset. It’s summertime with sand pails and sail boats!

smocking inspiration

If you need help with the smocking stitches, check out the Smocking Arts Guild You Tube videos or my Smocking Stitches Guide.

I love how Kate matched the kitties on the Music Class Blouse with the kitty peeking out of the pockets.

Jumper made from the Oliver + S Building Block Dress book

To try something similar, match this Matryoshka doll fabric from Robert Kaufman with this Matryosha Embroidery Pattern.

Russian nesting dolls

Or pair an ice cream print fabric with this Ice Cream Cone Pattern. And how about some ice cream inspired women’s wear?

ice cream

Buttons can be that special detail that makes the outfit, or they can just be fun!

button inspiration

Link 1, Link 2, Link 3

If you are sewing for yourself, the Metro Tee could easily be modified to make this look. Or create this stunning top with the Cappuccino Tunic. Convert the center front gathers to tucks, add some additional tucks to the shoulder seams and complete the look by finishing each tuck with a simple machine pin stitch stitched with a size 110 needle.

inspiration for women's tops

Links

Have a wonderful Memorial Day and Happy Stitching!



 

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