May Meeting: Blocking the Neckline and Smocking

This month, everyone should have their Wee Care dress pleated and ready to block the neckline. You will need the Neckline Blocking Guide in your pattern, a pinning board, pins, and scissors.  Please bring your pleated dress and the above supplies to the meeting.

Before you begin, you will need to unpick the pleating threads for 1 1/2" at the back opening edges for all sizes.  The Neckline Blocking Guide has marks for the different sizes included in the pattern.  You will use the neck edge line that matches the size of the dress you are making.  Note that it has marks for neck edges, sleeve seam lines, center front line, and the back openings.

Place the Neckline Blocking Guide over your pinning board, placing the pleated neckline at the edge line that matches the size dress you are making, then match center front, back edges, and sleeve seams.  Pin the dress to the Guide and board.

Now evenly fan out the pleats, and tie off the pleating threads.  Some people like to leave the top holding row loose so that it is easier to put the binding on later.

The pattern directions also give you the directions for pulling up the pleats on each sleeve.  Do this after you have blocked the neck edge.  After all the threads are tied off, you are ready to smock the dress.

There are suggested patterns for smocking the sleeves and the dress included in the pattern and also in the AS&E issues that include this Wee Care pattern.  Here is one example:

After smocking is completed, follow the directions in the pattern to attach the neck binding, finish the back edges, and hem the dress.

YEA!  You have completed your Wee Care Dress!