Fully Smocked April/Harper Bubble

We love to mash up April with the Harper bubble! We were inspired by the Olivia fully smocked bodice to change the April  bodice to be fully smocked.

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Pattern: April & Harper

Fabric: Garden Blues Cerulean Smocking Plate: Sampler from Rocking Smocking Book DMC Floss: 210, 3766, 3838, Blanc (Purchase Match Your Floss and note number.)

*Available at childrenscornerstore.com while supplies last.

Supplies

Children's Corner Patterns April and Harper patterns

with all fabrics and notions from pattern covers

Freezer paper

*It is recommended to line this bubble with the same fabric as the outer fabric.

Instructions

1. Lengthen Harper bubble pieces using chart below. 

2. For bubble placket double the measurement from the chart above and add that amount to the placket length.

3. Cut out April bodice pieces except for the Center Front Bodice. Use the instructions for curving the neckline of April.

4. Make a full copy (not on fold) of the Center Front Bodice pattern piece curving the neckline.

5. Measure across the widest point of the Center Front Bodice pattern piece. Cut a block of fabric for the smocked center bodice that is 3x this measurement plus 1 inch for the width and 1 inch longer than the length of the pattern piece.

6. Pleat this block of fabric with the number of rows that will fill the fabric top to bottom. Remove pleats from ¼ in of the edges and tie off pleating to the size of your center bodice piece. Smock.

7. Pin the smocked fabric and block with steam so that it fits the Center Front Bodice pattern piece. Let dry.

8. Trace another full copy of the Center Front Bodice pattern (with curved neckline) out of freezer paper. After cutting it out trim off 1/16 inch around all pattern edges.

9. Center freezer paper on blocked smocked fabric. Check for smocking placement. Lightly press freezer paper with an iron set on medium. This will adhere freezer paper to the fabric.

10. Stitch all the way around the freezer paper right next to the edges using a stitch length of 1-1.5. Stitch again directly next to first stitching.

11. Trim very close on the outside of the stitching to cut out your smocked bodice.

12. Construct bodice according to pattern instructions. After ruffles are stitched between the bodice pieces finish the edges and press seam allowances toward the center. Whip stitch the seam allowance to the center bodice by hand to ensure that the ruffles stay toward the sides (very important). Also consider stay-stitching the neck edge if lining fabric wants to roll to the outside.

13. Continue construction according to patterns. Follow April/Harper mashup video for additional instructions if needed.

Made by Melissa Sansom

Click the printer icon below for printable version.