Liesel has been out of town this week, which means she hasn't had the chance to compile her regular Friday round-up of links and inspiring images. Don't worry though! Today, we have a very special guest contributor stepping in to bring us some weekend reading material. Please welcome Lisa from Pink Hollybush Designs who is here to share her favorite picks for the weekend ahead. Hello everyone! I'm thrilled and deeply honored to be here sharing some weekend sewing inspiration with all of you. For me, the joy of sewing lies in adding those little touches that really elevate an outfit while also letting my creativity shine through. As someone who used to serve as the President of the Smocking Arts Guild of America, I have a particular soft spot for handwork. With summer finally making its way to even chilly New England, it’s such a treat to have some portable handwork tucked into my bag so I can work on it during kids' sports practices or while lounging by the pool. Here are a few ideas to spark your own sewing imagination! The two dresses shown below can both be created using either the Building Block Dress Book or the Ice Cream Dress pattern. Those embroidery details are absolutely breathtaking. [Image description: A beautifully embroidered dress showcasing intricate stitching.] Dress 1, Dress 2 If you're unfamiliar with any of the embroidery techniques used here, Mary Corbett’s YouTube tutorials will definitely come in handy. Of course, no sewing post would be complete without mentioning smocking! The Library Dress with its wide waistband offers the perfect canvas for a smocked inset. It’s summer, after all—what could be more fitting than designs featuring sand buckets and sailboats? [Image description: A smocked dress featuring a delightful nautical theme.] For those needing guidance on mastering the smocking stitches, the Smocking Arts Guild’s YouTube channel or my own Smocking Stitches Guide should provide plenty of assistance. I adore how Kate paired the kitties on her Music Class Blouse with the ones peeking out of the pockets. It adds such a personal touch! [Image description: A charming blouse adorned with matching pocket details.] To achieve a similar effect, consider pairing Robert Kaufman’s Matryoshka doll fabric with this Matryosha Embroidery Pattern. [Image description: A vibrant fabric featuring classic Russian nesting dolls.] Alternatively, match an ice cream print fabric with this Ice Cream Cone Pattern. And why stop there? Let’s not forget about some sweet inspiration for women’s wear too! [Image description: A playful collection of ice cream-inspired garments.] Buttons can often be that special element that transforms an outfit—or simply add a touch of fun! [Image description: A display of creatively designed buttons.] If you’re working on self-sewn pieces, the Metro Tee can easily be adapted to mimic this look. Or take it up a notch by creating this striking top using the Cappuccino Tunic pattern. Transform the center front gathers into tucks, add extra tucks along the shoulder seams, and finish each one with a simple machine stitch using a size 110 needle. [Image description: A sophisticated women’s top with elegant tucks and finishes.] **Links** - Last week Liesl shared that she had experimented with sewing something outside her typical style. Following the lessons in *The Curated Closet* has been incredibly enlightening for me as well. - It’s fascinating to learn about how women historically used textiles and needlework to preserve family histories. Check out the Winterthur Museum webcast titled "Who’s Your Daddy? Families in Early American Needlework." - These sculptural embroideries caught my eye and seemed worth sharing. - Artist Charlotte Baily mends broken ceramics using embroidery, drawing inspiration from the Japanese art of kintsugi. - If you collect embroidery or admire beautiful linens, exploring the history of Madeira embroidery might interest you. - Given my history background, it’s no surprise I loved *The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society*. It beautifully blends humor, history (WWII in this case), and resilience. - I spent last weekend at a family wedding held at the stunning Point Bonita Lighthouse in California. If you’ve ever wondered what life was like living in a lighthouse, *The Lighthouse Keeper’s Wife* offers an intriguing glimpse. Wishing you a fantastic Memorial Day weekend and happy stitching! [Related posts section] --- I hope this version feels fresh yet maintains the original spirit! Let me know if anything else needs tweaking.

Linen Rayon Fabric

Linen Rayon Fabric,Mixed Floral Printed Cloth,Striped Pattern Fabric,Linen Blended Cloth

Shaoxing Aiyi Textile Co., Ltd. , https://www.aiyitextile.com

June 06, 2025