smock tops (a shared tutorial)

What to do for a drooling baby who keeps soaking through layers of clothing?  In the past I've often used bibs to keep the little babe dry, and now a new discovery has replaced the messy, flappy, often garish bibs.

 
How sweet it is to see little children dressed in simple, functional clothing that can easily be hand-made?  These cotton and linen smocks were inspired by sweet Melanie at Our Ash Grove, with a little dose of Elsa Beskow.

 

I am often inspired by the  illustrations of clothing in children's books.  I've long admired the smock top on this little fella in Ollie's Ski Trip.  When I saw the tops Melanie made for her baby boy (who is just a week younger than my little boy), we chatted and decided to do a two-part tutorial together that shows both of our versions of the smock top.  You can check out her smock tutorial here.  (Disclaimer note : I have been thoroughly influenced and creatively inspired by Melanie...this is entirely her idea...isn't she brilliant?)

I first assessed my dwindling piles of fabric and found some linens, including an old, old pair of brown linen pants that were my favourite for several years.  I snipped away the holes and salvaged the remnants.  On the inside, I've used some flannel prints.  Melanie pointed out that it keeps the babe dry with an extra cozy layer...so clever!  Once I gathered and pre-shrunk the fabric, I made some very basic measurements.  For a 6 month old baby, I went a little roomy and made a pattern out of brown paper bags.  The measurements are roughly as follows:

• front neckline down to front bottom hem is about 9.5 inches
• front shoulder strap to front bottom hem is 14 inches
• width across bottom hem is 13 inches, but it could also be up to 15 or 16 inches
• back shoulder strap to front bottom hem is 16 inches
• an important note is to make the back shoulder strap with a slight curve to snugly fit babe's back

 
Step 1   Trace the pattern onto the wrong side of the linen and the flannel.

Step 2   Cut out one pattern from both the linen and the flannel.

    
Step 3   Pin the two pieces with right sides together and sew allowing for a 5/8" or 1" seam allowance.  Make sure that you keep the bottom hemline open.  Do not sew this part at all!

Step 4   Carefully cut triangles all the way around the seam allowance.  I don't know the technical lingo for this important step, I just know that this is how I've always made lined bodices in the past and it works really well.  It allows the material to squish together when you turn it inside out without letting any bumps or puckers to form.

Step 5   Now trim off the excess seam allowance so it is just about 1/4" from the sewn edge.

 
Step 6   Turn the smock inside out and press with an iron.  I love this part...now it's all clean lines!

Step 7   Fold the bottom hemline inwards on both the linen and the flannel sides of the smock.  Stitch all the way around the smock, about 1/4" from the edge, including the bottom hemline now.  This gives it a finished look and prevents the smock from losing shape in the wash.  Also, add buttonholes to the front strap ends and sew on buttons onto the back strap ends.  You'll need the help of the little babe now to find the right placement for the buttons.  I like to make the straps a little long so that I can just move buttons as my child grows...it kind of lengthens the wear of the garment.

 
Step 8   This is where more creativity comes alive.  I really like applique work in that it is a simple, yet easy way to make a piece of clothing unique.  It took me a long time to figure out if you use the double sided sticky fusible webbing (available at any fabric store), it makes the applique go on soooooo easily.  For years I never used this stuff, but now I'm hooked!

 
And here is the finished smock.  It looks a lot better on, though.  Perhaps it's the model, though...he is so darn cute, I think!

 
 
The versatility of these smocks is wonderful.  The first one I made, which is really roomy, fits my two and a half year old daughter, even if it is quite snug.  I have plans to make her bigger, fuller, pinker ones this spring.

 
I hope you find these smocks as sweet, clever, and versatile as I do!  And be sure to check out Melanie's version...it's wonderful to see how the same idea can be manifested in different ways. 

Oh, and the timing is so good!  Just today, little Huckley broke his first tooth!!!  Bring on the drool!

Comments

[Melanie]

AAAGH! I love this! This is so fun. . . :) Now I'd like to make your version!
love to you, Jules!

[Rachel]

I love these smocks - so glad you guys collaborated on these! I love your designs (the toadstool!!!) - and the blue linen is gorgeous!

[soili]

Thanks for the tutotial. I can't wait to try this. I have loved Elsa Beskow's books all my life and I would love to see my baby dressed in this smock. Lovely.

[Tinyplum.wordpress.com]

So cute! I'll have to try this for my little chickens.

[angie]

these are so sweet! I to love the clothing children wear in the books (especially Elsa Beskow). I wonder if my 9 and 10 year olds would be open to wearing these???hmmmmmm

[a little crafty nest]

Melanie...Such fun! Let's do this again...and again!
Rachel...Thank you.
Solili...I'd love to see your creations. And Elsa Beskow's inspirations are endless. My 2 yr old daughter is next in line for some beautiful, storybook clothing.
Tinyplum...Chickens in smocks, I love it:)
Angie...I would love it if my children will still let me dress them at 9 and 10. Good luck!
xo Jules

[shayray]

The smocks are so sweet. I want a little girl now.

[Jenny]

Oh I've been waiting for these tutorials. I've read through both tutorials very well and am ready to give it a go....maybe tonight while my man is out of town. Thank you so much!!! My 16 month old is currently cutting FOUR molars!! Poor guy. One question.....what do you use the smocks for for your daughter? Do they have a function for the older kids or is it just the cuteness factor? :)

[kyndale]

i seriously love them. thank you so much for the tutorial. i think my littlest would love one for his messy work!

[Jenny]

My first one is made!!! I got right on it after both of you posted your tutorials. I wanted to blog about Kian's new smock and was wondering if I could link back to your blog and tutorial in my post so that you would get credit. Is that ok?

[W-S Wanderings]

LOVE these! My Littlest One is growing herself up quite quickly, so there is little need for bibs now. But these smocks are SO versatile, as you noted, that they could be a sweet layer in colder weather, and a charming breezy stand-alone top in hot weather. Awesome!

[a little crafty nest]

Shayray...Little girls are such fun!
Jenny...Oh poor wee one:( The smocks for my older girl are simply sweet little clothes. She doesn't drool or need a bib but I do love the look of them. And what a great summer top! Of course you can link up...that's what this wonderful blogging world does so well. I'll be right over to take a peek!
Kyndale...Messy work, quiet play, cozy times...so versatile.
WS Wanderings...You get this so well! The summer top is so sweet...I used to wear these all the time in my wanderlust days following music shows. Perhaps I'll make one for myself, too!
xo Jules

[kendra]

these are darling!!! as are the models!

[Heather]

GASP!!! These are DARLING!!!

[Heather]

I think a Flicker group needs to be started for this adorable project. It would be so much fun to see everyone's interpretations and the little models that grace them.