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Our site offers you a variety of products for sewing & needlework, but we specialize in items to help the smocking beginner. We also offer many quick and easy children's garment patterns that . We hope you will enjoy your visit with us as you "scroll and click" to view... cupcake graph

  • our many products for sewing and embroidery
  • our "HOW-TO" learning projects
  • our expanding list of freebies like the cupcake design shown on right. (Scroll down for additional info relating to free smocking designs.)

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 (hairbows, 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.

FREE BEES and other Freebies!

free bees flyer

Click here to view larger cupcake imageTo receive either free smockingdesign shown here (Mary-Claire's Cupcakes or Free Bees) send your request to via any email program (type "cupcakes" or "free bees" on the subject line.

If you would like both designs simply send two separate request (i.e. send us a different email for each design plate). Your requested design will be attached to an email reply that we will send to you.

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

Visit our site frequently to watch for the following free smocking and machine embroidery designs that will be available in the near future:

  • 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.
  • Free "Pleaterless Smocking" directions for anyone that wants to try smocking before purchasing a pleating machine or locating a pleating service.

    You can quickly master the two stitches "most frequently used" smocking stitches with the help of the following free lessons and soon be creating a variety of smocking designs.

    1. Pleaterless Smocking, Lesson #1,
      The Cable Stitch
    2. Pleaterless Smocking, Lesson #2,
      The Trellis Stitch


Some samples of this easy Pleaterless Smocking" method can also be viewed on our new jumper/sundress pattern (Madeline Grace, shown in right column) and on the sample shown below:

smocked dress

Smocking created using the "pleaterless smock" method often produces results that are more pleasing than if pleating were done on a pleating machine. Uniform pleats will 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.).
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All Beginning Smockers take note . . .
These new "Pleaterless" smocking instructions will also include detailed information (and photos) for smocking on fabric that has been pleated with a pleating machine. You will be able to print the free download and keep it as a handy reference for creating attractive smocking using either method for creating pleats.
We are stocking a variety of fabrics that will be especially suitable for pleaterless smocking and will make those available for purchase when the pattern and designs are completed.

Below are fabrics that we think will work especially well with the pleaterless method. Images shown here are only 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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pictureNEWS . . . updates as of March 26,, 2012
From the desk (i.e. sewing machine) of Diane Bruce . . .

A wonderful idea for spring . . .
One sheer dress,
Lots of Looks!

 For specific info relating to Creative Keepsakes smocking and sewing products used, click on the dress images (on right) to download a PDF file (larger and easier to print accurately).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

smocking patternAfter many months of experimenting with additional variations and of testing direstions, free smocking lessons for the beginner are almost completed. Also, new children's dress patterns will soon be availabe for purchase.

  1. The Cable Stitch,
    Pleaterless Smocking Lesson #1
  2. Madeling Grace
    Empire Waist Sundress/Jumper Note: Smocking design, Bailey's Butterflies, is not included in pattern.
  3. Expand-a-Pattern Kit #1

 

 

 

 

 

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 March 26, 2012