![\"blue](\"https:\/\/www.clairemeldrum.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/blue-linen-capris.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nI started these back in February during Laura Johnson’s stash buster contest but didn’t get them finished up until recently. \u00a0 \u00a0Laura owns Ellie Inspired<\/a>, which does a lovely range of downloadable\u00a0patterns, many of which include smocking. \u00a0I was inspired by Kari Mecca’s heirloom cargo pants<\/a>\u00a0from the book Sewing with Whimsy, but modified the final product based on what I had in my stash. \u00a0Ellie (my niece Ellie, not Laura’s Ellie) is a busy, active girl and I didn’t want her to have to worry about skirts while she’s zooming around. \u00a0I think this is a good compromised for heirloom sewing. \u00a0Classic materials, classic details, modern pattern.<\/p>\n I used leftover linen, three different white laces from my stash, 1 yd of blue twill tape and some not-so perfect entredeux and then made corded pintucks.<\/p>\n I used the bottom pants from EI’s Lil Bluebird<\/a>\u00a0but I made a couple of changes to the pattern. \u00a0I added pockets, removed the cuff at the bottom edge and made a sew-on waistband instead of a simple fold over casing like Laura’s pattern indicated. \u00a0 \u00a0 I made the top<\/a> several years ago in a toddler size, and it’s very flattering, too. \u00a0I just didn’t have anything in my stash that would work and I know Ellie has lots of cute white t-shirts.<\/p>\n The pintucks around the pocket and the legs came out really well. \u00a0This linen is more\u00a0substantial than a batiste and when I sewed an uncorded sample with my 2mm double needle, it just looked like top stitching. \u00a0It didn’t pop or give the fabric texture. \u00a0So I used #10 crochet cord (the same stuff I use to make my super fine piping), ran it in the groove of my pintuck foot underneath the fabric and it was exactly right. \u00a0Now I just need to finish up a little smocked dress I made for Celeste. Not much to do there: just the neck binding and the trim on the sleeves. \u00a0Maybe I’ll try and fit that in tomorrow. \u00a0Maybe.<\/p>\n I’ve also started on my Baltimore album quilt<\/a>. \u00a0I have one border and four blocks traced, all of the fabrics washed and pressed, and I’ve started on my first block. \u00a0By the end of the summer I’d like to have at least 2 blocks done. \u00a0The basket was very easy to do but I’m struggling a bit with the leaves.<\/p>\n They have very round, curvy points. \u00a0It’s much easier to make a leaf with the starch method when something has a sharp point because it’s a fold. \u00a0You fold over one edge and press. \u00a0You fold the other edge and press. \u00a0Here I’ve got to deal with teeny weeny curves that fold and bulge. \u00a0I’m going to keep trying but if I don’t like the results, I may just redraw the leaves to give me easier points.<\/p>\n I’ve been working away at my EAC\u00a0crewel course<\/a>, too (sigh. \u00a0are we there yet?).<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n