A New Class

Driving home from Sewing at the Beach 2018 this year I dreamt up another class...did that with the Elegance Christening Ensemble (also available as a kit) two years ago...must be something about driving for 6 hours. I kept thinking I needed to work up something using one of the Embellished Edgings that I teach. So, introducing the latest class...the Ascot Dress and Bolero Jacket.

Why 'Ascot'? Remember the race scene in "My Fair Lady"? It was a very stylized scene with everyone in shades of black, gray and white. Eliza proves she has learned all the good doctor has taught her but eventually loses her cool and breaks into her cockney accent with colorful language in the heat of the race. The black and white stripe with the Beaded Armenian Edging reminded me so much of that scene.
The dress uses packaged piping so we can concentrate on the unusual edging stitch. The edging starts with entredeux inserted like piping, then it's decorated with the first row of the Armenian Edging stitch, as you can see here. Then a second row of the stitch, with added glass seed beads, is added to the first row. Top the dress off with a big, curvy bow in the back, cute buttons and you've got an adorable outfit.

The little bolero is completely edged in the Beaded Armenian Edging stitch. When it's finished you have an outfit worthy of a part in the Ascot Race scene.

Embroidery, beads, new techniques, heirloom sewing and doll proportions: it's all wrapped up in one neat, unique class!