Liesel has been on the road this week, which means she hasn't had the chance to put together her regular Friday roundup of links and inspiring images. Don't worry though! We've got a fantastic guest contributor stepping in to share some weekend reading material with us today. Please welcome Lisa from Pink Hollybush Designs who is here to bring you her top picks for the weekend. Hello everyone, it’s such a pleasure to be here sharing some weekend inspiration with you all. Sewing is one of my favorite activities because it allows me to express my creativity, especially when adding those special little touches that elevate an outfit. As someone who previously served as President of the Smocking Arts Guild of America, I absolutely adore handwork. With summer finally making its appearance even here in New England, I love having some portable handwork projects tucked away in my bag to keep me entertained during long waits—like sitting through a kid’s sports practice or lounging by the pool. Below are some ideas to spark your sewing imagination and get those creative juices flowing! 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 simply breathtaking. [Image description: Two beautifully embroidered dresses] For those looking to learn more about these techniques, YouTube tutorials from Mary Corbett can provide step-by-step guidance. Of course, no discussion about sewing would be complete without mentioning smocking. The Library Dress, with its broad waistband, provides the perfect canvas for a smocked panel. Think of sunny days filled with sand buckets and sailboats! [Image description: A smocked dress featuring a wide waistband] If you're new to smocking, resources like the Smocking Arts Guild YouTube channel or my own Smocking Stitches Guide can offer invaluable assistance. I particularly admire how Kate paired the Music Class Blouse with matching pocket kitties. It adds such a delightful touch! [Image description: A blouse adorned with embroidered cats] To recreate something similar, consider pairing Robert Kaufman's Matryoshka doll fabric with this Matryosha Embroidery Pattern. [Image description: Fabric featuring Russian nesting dolls] Alternatively, an ice cream print fabric could be paired with this charming ice cream cone pattern. Why stop at kids’ clothes? How about incorporating some ice cream-inspired designs into women’s wear? [Image description: An ice cream-themed fabric] Buttons can also serve as that perfect finishing touch that ties everything together—or they can simply be fun accents. [Image description: Various button designs] If you’re interested in creating your own wardrobe pieces, the Metro Tee can easily be adapted to mimic this stylish look. For a more elaborate design, try making this stunning top using the Cappuccino Tunic pattern. Transform the gathered center front into tucks, add extra tucks along the shoulders, and finish them off with a simple machine stitch using a size 110 needle. [Image description: A sophisticated women’s top] --- As we wrap up, here are a few links worth exploring: - Last week Liesl mentioned experimenting with styles outside her comfort zone. Working through The Curated Closet has been incredibly helpful for me too in defining my personal aesthetic. - It’s intriguing to discover how women historically used textiles and needlework to chronicle their family histories. Check out the Winterthur Museum webcast titled "Who’s Your Daddy? Families in Early American Needlework." - These sculptural embroideries caught my eye recently—they’re quite unique! - Artist Charlotte Baily repairs broken ceramics using embroidery, inspired by Japan’s kintsugi tradition. - If you’re into collecting embroidery or simply appreciating fine linens, you might find the history of Madeira embroidery fascinating. - History buffs like myself will enjoy "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society," blending WWII history, humor, and resilience. - My recent trip to a family wedding at the picturesque Point Bonita Lighthouse in California reminded me of "The Lighthouse Keeper’s Wife," a captivating novel set against the backdrop of lighthouse life. Wishing you a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and happy stitching ahead! --- P.S. For anyone curious about related content, stay tuned for upcoming posts where we’ll dive deeper into some of these themes. Until then, keep those needles moving!

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June 06, 2025