Smock: Fabric Choices

In the "Mustn't Spoil Your Frock Smock" pattern I go into a little detail about things like fabric choices for the smock and how you can customize the size to fit your child, but I wanted to give you a little info here too.

Here is a page from the pattern:



When I originally conceptualized this pattern, I was trying to figure out a functional way to use quilting cotton for a smock. My original pattern had a seam at the shoulder and the body was lined in vinyl to make it waterproof and I used Scotch Guard Fabric Protector to guard it against stains. This method worked out OK, but Scotch Guard must be applied after every wash to really maintain its protective properties and that just isn't practical. And the purpose of using cute quilting cotton is defeated when there are food stains all over it. So I scrapped that plan and once I realized that most waterproof fabrics could still be cut on the bias and used to make bias tape (I cover this in the pattern), I went full steam ahead in that direction.

Here are my favorite fabrics to use for this smock:

1. Ripstop Nylon
Its not really a flashy fabric, but its so practical. Its lightweight and breathable, water resistant, easily washes out in the sink, dries super fast, and can be found at almost any chain fabric store. Oh and its cheap. This fabric can be ironed on a low setting to make the bias tape.

I have mostly seen it in solid colors-- but simple is beautiful, plus I am working on some ways to jazz it up a bit. Stay tuned.


2. Oilcloth
I am no expert on textiles but from what I've gathered the term "oilcloth" covers a broad spectrum of treated fabrics and has evolved significantly from its original namesake.
Because there are so many fabrics that can fall into this category, for the sake of making this smock I'd like to address a few things.

The oilcloth that I used on the pattern cover is acrylic coated cotton. It worked beautifully. It retains the qualities of fabric, like stretching on the bias and gathering easily, but water beads easily off BOTH the right and wrong side, making it really easy to wipe or submerge to clean. Also, I should mention that to make the bias tape, I didn't iron it (although you can on a low setting using a pressing cloth) I simply used my fingernails to crease the fabric and it stayed quite nicely.




Lately many top fabric designers are releasing ultra-cute designs in "coated cottons". The up-side is that these fabrics come in so many cute patterns and colors and are widely available. However, they are only waterproof on the treated "right" side of the fabric (although I suspect they'd maybe fair OK if submerged...but I haven't tried it), so can only be wiped clean. This is fine for a smock, but I'd recommend using a piece of vinyl for the pocket (sorry to be repetitive here) so that the back of the fabric won't come into contact with the food messes.

Also, many of these coated cottons seem to be a tad expensive (But oh how cute!)

Another kind of oilcloth that I am familiar with is that really substantial and stiff plastic-feeling stuff that you often see used for tablecloths etc. Its a PVC coated cotton mesh. I haven't tried using this yet, and am not sure how it'd work for a smock, so use it at your own risk!

Have any smock fabric suggestions? I'd love to hear them!

Toddler Smock Pattern

*Smock Giveaway Closed, but please visit my Etsy shop if you are interested in a pattern!

Introducing...

I'm so excited to share this pattern with you. It's been a long time in the making...meaning I made it a long time ago, but getting it into PDF format has been a challenge for me! At any rate, it's done and I couldn't be more pleased because I think it's a pattern that will be really useful...for girls AND boys!

This is one of two patterns I designed that will be in the upcoming sewing pattern book, "Fabric Extravaganza: One Yard Wonders", but I am offering it now as a PDF in my Etsy shop.

And to celebrate, I am doing a giveaway...what else?!

But this giveaway is a tad different than usual.

Everyone's A Winner

If you'd like to make this smock and would like a free pattern, I'd love to send you one.
All I ask is that you be willing to actually make the smock, and post a photo and link back to my blog/Etsy shop when you are finished.

Deal?

If you are interested, send me an email: daniellebwilson(at)gmail.com

I may cap the number at some point, but for now its free patterns for one and all.

Happy Sewing!

More smock details Monday!

Anticipation

So the thing is, I felt kind of silly when I first started my Etsy shop. I kind of went into it with a very "stick my toes in and see" mentality.

I'd had my eye on this little stack of fabric for a few months now, but kept talking myself out of buying it. Some nagging thought about not actually needing it or some such thing.

And then I realized last week that I had saved up enough money from my silly little Etsy shop to make such a frivolous purchase, and so I did.

And it sure was fun opening my delightful box of colorful fabric today.
I can hardly wait to get my scissors into it!

You're going to want to win this!

My friend Emily is doing a great give away for one of her talented friends named Sarah. Check it out here.





It ends tonight so hurry over and leave a comment

Baby Not Included

I've added some more things to my Etsy shop....
Vintage baby clothes. Avery was my model--those arms are a dead giveaway huh?
I will be adding even more in the next few days, so if you are in the market for a vintage baby sweater, check back.

Happy Weekend!

Dreaming Tree Wall Hanging PDF Pattern ...done

I will probably continue tweaking it here and there as I get more feedback from my highly overpaid editors, but the pattern is done and available in my Etsy shop.

And please don't buy it if nobody else does to make me feel good about myself, mom. I can handle the rejection.

Thanks everyone for your help and encouragement.

Now, off to do something not craft related. Happy weekend.

What I'm doing instead of cleaning...

I've been trying to teach myself a little bit about Adobe Illustrator by turning this wall-hanging I made for Avery's room into a pattern. When I made it originally, I had a vision of what I wanted it to look like, but no pattern...so I made one--which was by far the most time-consuming part of the project. So, I thought I'd try and lay it all out in a PDF and see if I could sell it on Etsy. It should be in my (empty) shop in the next few days. If Avery will ever take a nap that is.

So how full of myself am I that I put my name on the cover twice? Yeah pretty full.