Creative Needle Smocked Bishop Sewing Tutorial

[@judyhowell6742]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Audrey is just precious.

[@sarahclassicsewing]

Thanks so much, Judy. Really appreciate that.

[@mom2ljj]

These are so gorgeous I must say I am hooked and can't wait to do a shoulder placket- version. I had to check I do have that pattern...hmmmm I have been using a pattern by Miche this pattern just came in the mail.

[@joygwaltney2453]

This is a great video - very thorough, and a desirable pattern. I am definitely going to try it next. Thank you for showing all the variations and sharing your suggestions. This is my number one channel.

[@sarahclassicsewing]

aww thanks so much, and check out this video, it's become my preferred method for constructing a bishop kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHynaYqembCLmac

[@maisonarness2685]

So darling! I love this. You have such talent in the sewing world. I love the 2 once you made with the little pearl's! I'm trying to master the smocking design you used with the points towards the garment!

[@sarahclassicsewing]

Thank you! Yeah, I'm loving adding beads to smocking lately. Gives it another dimension :-)

[@maisonarness2685]

Yes! This may sound odd- I just followed your Instagram page and had NO clue you lived in Savannah GA! I just moving to Fort Stewart Army base. I am joining a SAGA group that is in Savannah and does heirloom sewing. You should teach a class on heirloom. Your talent is amazing!

[@sarahclassicsewing]

Ahhh I'm just seeing this comment now -- sorry. Yes, in Savannah and I'm in that guild -- the waving girls! Yayy :-D you'll love the ladies. They are super sweet and super talented.

[@maisonarness2685]

Yes! I haven't went to a meeting yet, due to my husband in the field and army stuff. Though one month I plan to when he is home to watch my son! I've met a few of the members at sewing shops and facebooking information- sweetest women I've ever met! Thanks for the kind thoughts on the group! Moving from Texas 5 months ago I had to give up my last SAGA... so I'm glad their easy to Adjust to!

[@JodyBarber76]

Thank you for posting all your videos! They really help so much! I haven't been smocking very long and therefore, the inside of my dresses are messy! I just took classes about 5 years ago and have only made a couple of dresses. The dress I am working on now is actually the one my sister started when we took our classes. It was pleated and sewn together at the shoulders. There are no instructions with it and I have no pattern, so your videos have helped me figure out how to do the neckline and the placket and the closure. Have you lined any bodices before? I've been trying to search for a video, but haven't had much luck! Thank you so very much!

[@sarahclassicsewing]

Thanks Jody, you are too kind. Okay, have I lined a smocked bishop before? No... and I haven't really heard of others doing that either. It has been something I've wanted to try for a few years and haven't gotten around to it. It seems like you could cut out two bishops and pleat one up like normal, then take the other one and gather the neckline. Then attach both into the bias band at the neckline and that would give you a lining as well as a petticoat/slip. Like I said, it's been a thought of mine for a while... maybe I'll try it soon and make a video? Anywho, best of luck with your projects.

[@JodyBarber76]

Sarah Classic Sewing ...Thanks so much! I was thinking of just the bodice...If I play around with it and am successful, I'll let you know! And I would love to see what you do! PS. You tickle me when you say anywho! Have a great night!

[@sarahclassicsewing]

Well in that case, you could do a rounded yoke, finish the edges off with some lace, and maybe tack it down in a few spots around the bishop. I'd love to hear what you could up with though :-) hahaa anywhoooo. Thanks, have a good night, too.

[@monicabarrios1719]

De donde compran esos patrones de los vestidos?

[@rashidfelaifel9001]

How do you create picture in smocking on the fabric please??

[@isabelbayer4350]

Thank you for the video

[@elidayheinertreheinert4973]

You work is very good.

[@sarahclassicsewing]

Thank you :-)

[@bradleyhenrie3117]

Do I add seed beads to bishop after all smocking is done?

[@sarahclassicsewing]

I add the beads as I'm smocking -- just thread them onto the same floss/thread I'm using to smock. :-)

[@samanmalee18]

Where do you get that pleater? Link?

[@LR-fz5us]

I want the board where can i buy

[@clairesteinriede9110]

Where do you get most of your supplies? I'm about to make my daughter's First Communion dress and we really don't have many heirloom shops~ thanks!! Love your work!

[@sarahclassicsewing]

+claire steinriede I love love love farmhouse fabrics. We don't have a local heirloom store either. But I've been shopping at farmhouse for years, they are a mostly online store. If you have questions on exact pairings or whatnot, just give them a call. They are so helpful. Good luck with the communion dress and thank you 😙

[@marilynperry3708]

Your work is amazing! I am an avid knitter and seamstress. I want to start smocking but don't have the smocker? How do I complete this without the machine?

[@sarahclassicsewing]

+Marilyn Perry hey there, thank you. You can do this with iron on dots (I have a video but I'm on my phone and can't link it... But you'll see it if you search through my videos). You could also pleat gingham (again, I have a video on that) since you can use the gingham grid pattern as your guide. Hope that helps 😊

[@sherrikitchen7927]

Do you pre wash your fabric before cutting?

[@sarahclassicsewing]

hmm well there's a loaded question ;-) in general, yes, but I've heard of others not prewashing and being fine. I think the general rule of thumb is that prewashing is the "better safe than sorry" route. But then some fabrics lose a bit of their sheen if you prewash. Are you asking about a particular fabric?

[@laurasemerano6207]

I LOVE your videos! You're so talented....I just made the newborn size for a friend, the neck looked large, did you think it was big, perhaps it was my mistake.

[@sarahclassicsewing]

+Laura Semerano thank you, thank you. Audrey wore this as a newborn and the neckline was a smidgen big, but nothing huge. Did you use a blocking board? The great thing about bishops is they are pretty forgiving with fitting... So if it doesn't fit as a newborn, the baby will grow into it. Great thing about babies 😊

[@laurasemerano6207]

thank you so much! I love how you can sew with baby girl on your back!! You're amazing

[@laurasemerano6207]

I made a mistake with sleeves, so cut off seam and had to make armhole smaller, there for I also trimmed same amount off of tops of fronts and back. My biggest mistake was that I removed the holding thread, then did outline stitch, didn't help so I hand sewed the top holding row.....I get worried when things weren't perfect that it won't fit ...thanks for your talents

[@sarahclassicsewing]

Hmmm... I didn't quite follow your mistake with the armholes, but you should still have plenty of room for little baby arms. Now with taking the holding thread out too soon, hand stitching is one solution. Another (possibly easier way) would've been to set the dress down and lay the neckline out (say on your ironing board) and position the pleats how they should be. Then you can take some freezer paper and iron on top of the pleats and the paper will act as a holding row so you can machine sew your neck binding onto your dress. Anywho... don't sweat it :-) I make mistakes all the time.

[@sarahclassicsewing]

You are too kind :-)

[@janiewerner]

I'm not clear on why you cut off 1.5 inches off the top of the garment? Also what fabric did you use for the white and pink day gowns? Audrey is so beautiful!

[@sarahclassicsewing]

Hey Janie, love the new profile picture. So pretty. Okay, I only cut off 1.5" from the purple twill version with the cap sleeves since I wanted the sleeves to be above Audrey's elbow. The pink and white gowns I left alone. The white is a beautiful swiss batiste from farmhouse and the pink is an imperial batiste. I'll update the description box to include links :-) And thank youu!

[@rosiehinesley1508]

Beautiful little girl. What is the fabric of the white dress? Thank you.

[@sarahclassicsewing]

Thanks, and it's linked in the description box. bit.ly/2dpZkPj

[@leslieblaylock7337]

Never use snaps on a bishop!! Either use elastic loops for pearl shanks or buttonholes!!

[@sarahclassicsewing]

It's sewing, you do you 💕👌 also, since having children, I dont recommend using the elastic loops or anything similar... such a pain to get on a wiggly baby, but if you want to do it, be my guest.

[@madpiper4354]

OMG! What a Karen! Feel sorry for this husband.

[@lindahammond249]

You were sewing a CUFFED sleeve, not a capped sleeve :-)

[@sarahclassicsewing]

+Linda Hammond 😂 you are right. Mommy brain...