Bella's stocking is finally done. And I have to say that I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. It's probably not quite as pink as she would like, but in all honesty, what is?
I've been collecting Bella's stash of fabrics for a while now. Little pieces of fabric that are just the right pink to become a dress or a quilt or a stocking. I never really have anything specific in mind, other than Bella of course. And it's been the same with her stocking. Nothing specific in mind, just a little pile of prints that seemed to go nicely together.
I knew that I didn't want this stocking to be too pink, because of course, there may come a time when pink loses it's magic for Bella. And I knew that I wanted it to look like it had always been there, in the family. But that was pretty much it on the ideas front.
When I received the latest copy of Marie Claire Idee's I knew that I wanted to include a little bit of red work in the design but was still lost about where to actually go with it all.
So I left the pile of fabrics sitting around and waited for inspiration to strike.
And then a couple of days ago I started cutting and placing pieces on the design wall and it all fell in to place.
I've used a combination of liberty prints, linen pieces, a couple of retro japanese prints, and some pink polka dot flannel. When I was at the Knitting and Stitching show last month I picked up a bag of vintage lace and crochet trims for next to nothing and used a large piece for the top of the stocking.
I've then lined it with one of my favourite vintage, tiny floral prints.
I embroidered the Doe and the Dove designs randomly and added my best red crochet trim ( I can't remember where I got it, but I really love it) to give it that little extra kick.
I really do like the fact that the stocking has a vintage feel to it, whilst still being young and girly looking.
And because of the lining it's good and sturdy - perfect for holding all those presents from Santa!
Now I just have to hope that Bella likes it as much as I do..