Part Three of Sewing Curriculum-Hand Embroidery and Smocking

This is the third post in my most recent series of posts. Click here to find parts one and two.

My goal for these posts is to create a list of patterns to sew that gradually build sewing skills while increasing confidence through repetition. A sewing curriculum of sorts. In this list you will find patterns that I find particularly challenging, introduce a skill that has not been previously covered, or continues to reinforce previous learning objectives.

I’ll be including learning objectives for each pattern beneath the options. I’m a former teacher. I’m all about some learning objectives. I’ll also be linking up all the patterns to various shops. Hopefully that will introduce you to the different sewing shops in the United States/on the Internet.

The patterns listed below could all be made in different types of fabric, so I will include a suggested fabric with each item. I will list them in italicized writing.

1. A diaper set with sleeves and a collar. Use French seams at side seams. Add hand embroidery and try this trim technique. Either of these has a boy and girl option
   • Creations by Michie #147
   • Kathy Dykstra diaper set with collar and sleeves
     • Continue work on collars and sleeves.
     • Introduce hand embroidery techniques.
     • Learn alternate trim option.
     • Learn to do and use French seams at side seams. Try this tutorial.
     • At this point I suggest trying to use a thinner, heirloom-esque fabric. Some examples of thinner fabrics are batiste and lawn.
2. A pattern with a twist. This can be made for boy or girl.
   • Use Michie 123 and my tutorial to create a new sunsuit. 
   • You can alter any pattern you want! Try looking at a Children’s clothing website, finding an outfit you like, and figuring out how to use a pattern to make it. This is one of my favorite parts of sewing. Give it a go! If you need help picking a pattern to make an outfit, shoot me a message, it’s one of my favorite things to do.
     • Learn to manipulate/alter patterns
       • You can use a lot of different types of fabric for this outfit. Here are some examples: a broadcloth, chambray, lawn, gingham, shirting or seersucker. If you have a machine that does embroidery and want to put some on the bib, try using a 100% cotton fabric for the bib. I find it much easier to hoop and embroider.
3. A Smocked Bishop. If sewing for a boy, skip to number four.
   • Childrens Corner Bishop
   • Any Bishop pattern-there are quite a few out there.
     • Tip: Check sleeve length-currently sleeve style is fairly short, in the 90’s they were longer so check to make sure the pattern you choose has the length you like.
     • Introduce pleating. Check out this tutorial.
     • Introduce smocking. Check out this tutorial.
     • Use French seams to finish all edges. Use this tutorial or the one above.
       • Use a thinner fabric for this at first. Try a lawn or a batiste. Over time you can try thicker broadcloths or even baby corduroy but it is easier to pleat the thinner fabric in the beginning.
4. A Smocked bubble
   • Children’s Corner Jamie.- Choose this option for boy. Here’s a tutorial for View F. And a tutorial for View E.
   • Michie 142
     • Practice smocking. See above for tutorial.
     • Practice pleating. See above for tutorial.
     • Continue work with French seams. See above for tutorial.
       • Use a thinner fabric for this at first. Try a lawn or a batiste. Over time you can try thicker broadcloths or even baby corduroy but it is easier to pleat the thinner fabric in the beginning.
5. A smocked dress or bubble with collar, sleeves, tucks and other details.
   • Children’s Corner Lee with a Ruffle Collar.
   • Collar’s Etc. Yoke Dress
   • Children’s Corner Basics for Boys III.
     • Start incorporating all techniques into one outfit. Include smocking, tucks, ruffles, etc to create a truly one-of-a-kind look.
       • Use a thinner fabric for tops and a bottom weight fabric for bottoms at first.

The patterns listed above are some of my favorites. They are certainly not the only patterns that could be used to fulfill the objectives listed above. If you have a question about a pattern and whether or not it works, send me a message. I’d be happy to help. The next posts in this series will be focused on specific types of sewing. Sewing with knit, heirloom sewing, etc. I hope you are enjoying these. Feel free to send your suggestions or comments my way.