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Our site brings to you a variety of products for sewing & needlework, but we specialize in items that will help you learn to smock and in children's garment patterns especially for the sewing beginner. We hope you will enjoy your visit with us as you "scroll and click" to view...

  • our many products for sewing and embroidery
  • our "HOW-TO" learning projects
  • our expanding list of freebies
You'll discover products and projects for just about anyone who enjoys:
  • smocking
  • machine embroidery
  • quilting for babies and children
  • sewing for babies, children or adults
Please browse our catalog and view all of our smocking design plates, smocking patterns, baby quilt patterns, machine embroidery and books for creating accessories (hair bows, tote bags, etc.) to complement your children's smocked clothing. 

PayPalTo ensure all of your credit card orders are secure when sent via the Internet, we offer online purchasing through PayPal. If you wish to order by mail, fax or telephone, you can use the printable order form.

Our selection of "free stuff" from smocking designer, Diane Bruce, continues to expand. Click on the underlined links below to open and print any of the following freebies:

  • Free Beginners Guide to Smocking
  • Free patterns for easy "learn to smock" projects
  • Free adaptation sheets, on our Free Downloads page include new ideas for many of our most popular smocking patterns
  • Free machine embroidery items (coming soon) to coordinate with smocking and sewing projects
  • Our section of   "smocking freebies" as described below.

FREE BEES and other Freebies!

Visit us frequently (bookmark us, for easy return) to check for our most recent free items. Scroll down (bottom of this column) to view instructions for receiving free items such as the Free Bees below.

free bees flyer


Items currently on the Freebie drawing table include:
  • Free smocking designs
  • Free "learn to smock" directions (with an emphasis on stacking cables to create picture smocking.)
  • Free machine embroidery designs to coordinate with your smocking design.

    Our next free smocking designs
    (available in early 2012) include:
  • Pleaterless Smocking, Lesson #1, The Cable*
  • Pleaterless Smocking, Lesson #2, Trellis Travels
  • Mary-Claire's Cupcakes (scroll down to view)

* In addition to the free "Pleaterless Smocking" design shown below, samples of this easy smocking method can be viewed on new pattern garments and new fabric samples (in column on right).

smocked dress

Smocking created using the "pleat-as-you-smock" method (i.e. pleaterless) often produces results that are more pleasing than if pleating were done on a pleating machine. The above image shows uniform pleats that conform to the woven design of the fabric. This method also works well with fabrics that have an evenly spaced print (various dots, florals, etc.).
.
All Beginning Smockers take note . . . These new "Pleaterless" smocking instructions will also include detailed information (and photos) for smocking on fabric that has been prepleated on a pleater. The free download can be printed and kept as a handy reference for creating attractive smocking stitches.

Click here to view larger cupcake imageFree directions for
Mary-Claire's Cupcakes are now available. This smocking design includes complete directions for stacking cables to create the picture design. Click any cupcake dress, to view larger image of the bishop variation of these cupcakes.


Our Freebie Pages will be updated frequently. We are currently testing directions for:

  • Lilly's Ladybugs (smocking)
  • Beetle Boys (smocking)
  • Baby Bugs (machine embroidery)

Click here to request notification when new items are added to our site. Simply type the word "items" in the email that opens & then hit send. Please note that your privacy is very important to us.  We will never share your email address without permission from you.

Click to view info for receiving current free smocking design.Click here to view instructions for receiving current free smocking design.

Below are fabrics that we think will work especially well with our free smocking designs (pleaterless method). Images shown here are a sample of the 60" cotton fabrics that we have selected.

fabric samples

We will continue to shop for fabrics that help make our "Pleaterless" smocking designs a quick and easy creation.


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smocking patternNEWS . . . updates as of January 20, 2012
From the desk (i.e. sewing machine) of Diane Bruce . . .

cupcake graphAlthough the graph for Mary-Claire's Cupcakes is available (WRITTEN border directions included), I am working on a border GRAPH& can send that in a follow-up email if you indicate you want that. To receive this free smocking design, send your request to us via any email program (type "cupcakes" on the subject line) or simply click here, type "cupcakes" in the email that opens & hit send.

Additional beginning smocking lessons, as well as patterns and designs for the experienced smocker, are also being developed and will be announced after the items listed below are finis

  1. Pleaterless Smocking Design #1 (free smocking lesson #1, will be available early August).
  2. Empire Waist Sundress/Jumper Pattern (available for purchase in early August). Smocking design, Bailey's Butterflies, is not included in pattern.
  3. Expand-a-Pattern Kit #1 (for purchase)

I appreciate your continued interest and and your patience with the delays of the past. The future will be filled with a new promptness as we continue to provide you with new sewing patterns and smocking designs.

To receive an email notification when new items are added to our site, send your request via any email program (type "items" on the subject line) or simply click here, type "items" in the email that opens & hit send. Please note that your privacy is very important to us.  We will never share your email address without your permission.

 

sundresssundress back cover

To open larger (easy to read) view of the empire waist pattern front cover or back cover, click appropriate image on left.

 

 

 

 

 

 

jumper picturesClick Images to open larger views of additional pattern samples shown below.

 

pink sundress

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: To return to this home page after viewing the larger images, click the back arrow near the top left.

smocking flyerWith the "Pleat-as-you-Smock" designs (i.e. pleaterless smocking designs) learning how to smock does not require a pleating machine (pleater). Directions and photos are also included for learning to smock on macine-pleated fabric. These designs will be free downloads. Click here to read more....

On left (pink column) scroll down to view fabrics that we think will work especially well with the free smocking designs (pleaterless method). Images shown here are a sample of the 60" cotton fabrics that we have selected.

Most of the fabrics you will see are in limited supply (from Creative Keepsakes or elsewhere). For best selections, be watching for the announcement of their availability in an email notification (if you requested notification of new items) or in the NEWS...section (top of this column) of our website.

 

 

 

Smocked Easter DressesAs we continue to test the directions for the Expand-a-Pattern kits, we continue to try new ideas. Sleeve ideas now include a pleated option shown here on the white batiste dress. (Smocking is design # 702d, Hannah Marie.)

Sleeves of the blue linen dress are gathered. Narrow lace and whip-stitch piping are elegant accents added to the sleeve band.

A new skirt option (not shown) includes inverted pleats using coordinating fabrics

We expect to have all kit items in our inventory soon along with updated directions which will include all the new options described above.

Scroll down to view additional ideas using the Expand-a-Pattern kit.

 

dress pattern

toddler dresses

Click here to scroll through our "Idea Gallery" page & view additional Adapt-a-Pattern Ideas.

 

All designs provided herein, as well the content and images on this web site are copyrighted material of Creative Keepsakes, Inc.
Creative Keepsakes, Inc. •  P. O. Box 421 •  Hot Springs, AR 71902  •   Phone 501.760.1922 •   email: diane@ creativekeepsake.com
Site last updated on January 20, 2012