Smock 23.4.13

Some time ago Nat @natr took shots of her beautiful needlework - I foolishly mentioned that I had done some smocking and agreed to post a shot one day....

Every year, for centuries, the village has celebrated May Day with dancing around the maypole etc. One year we had a huge influx of young boys and the SOS went out to anyone who could help to make a little smock... I happily said yes and although it took ages to do the needlework, I think I'd do another one if it was needed! They came out of storage yesterday for this year's event so I nabbed it and got a shot before it was given out. (I embroidered P and 2011 on the cuff for posterity & identification!)
Thanks for calling by :)

[Phil]

@natr As promised. Best viewed small without scrutinising the stitches! :)

[Tessa]

Beautiful. A job well done.

[Mark Mywerds]

Never mind 'viewed small', this looks great!

[Tony]

Nice work Phil, I'm no expert but that look GOOD. Looks great enlarged !!

[Hazel A]

I end viewed large and there is nothing wrong with your needlework. Lovely shot

[Cheryl Sim]

Your needlework is perfect and what a lovely smock, I can see it being danced around maypoles, lovely picture!

[Padlock]

Lovely detail well captured

[Gerry]

very beautiful phil

[alia_801]

Lovely needlework, and how nice that it gets used each year in such an ancient ceremony too! :)

[Nat]

Philsie it's stunning!!! Absolutely gorgeous and I agree with dad, it's fantastic viewed large. Fav!

[Lisabell]

Nothing to scrutinize, you've done a wonderful job! I love that your village celebrates May Day.

[Cat Whiskers - Nan]

This is so beautiful! You are so talented

[Diana]

A job well done....ideal for the occasion. As kids I remember celebrating May Day....today it is just a word on the calendar. Too Bad!

[Bev]

Wow! Great shot! And the work is stunning! You did an excellent job. It's very lovely. I'd wear it! It makes me think of The Wicker Man when you mention dancing around the maypole! I know... I'm weird. Great job, Phil - both on the needlework and the photo! :)

[Helge Erik Storheim]

It is beautiful Phil (I had to learn needlework in Primary School and I had the same teacher my mother had when she was in Primary School ;-)

[Shirley Banford]

Awesome!

[Ann H. LeFevre]

This is lovely! My mother used to do smocking but sadly we have none of the dresses she made for us. I remember ages ago- and I really mean ages!- dancing around a Maypole when I was in Nursery School!

[Lisa Pouncy]

Oh my goodness!! This takes me right back to my O level needlework. I did some smocking for the practical part of it...got a D overall, or a fail if you want to be pedantic but only due to my lack of writing ;o) xx

[Michelle]

Beautiful!

[Phil]

@natr Thanks Nat! :) I had mentioned it to the 2 ladies who take care of the May Day costumes, both seemed a little quizzical as to why I wanted to borrow it back but, bless them, in the chaos of clearing the house for the new settees, one of them knocked on the door with it for me - in the end they had remembered and I had forgotten! So glad they did, I was pleasantly surprised by how well it looked! I helped to give out the smocks and frocks on Tuesday and noticed a couple of smocks from ages ago that needed some attention, and I was foolish enough to say so (uh oh there goes my free time for the next few months!!) Glad I could keep my promise to share it with you though :) x

[Nat]

@filsie65 Not foolish at all. I'm glad you're helping them. And again, thanks for sharing it Phil. I must get back into mine - Karma makes it difficult though :)