Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and we’re dreaming in all things red and pink! Below, we’ve gathered together some of our favorite Valentine dresses to sew for your little sweetheart, from the pages of both Classic Sewing and Sew Beautiful magazines.
The Lilyana Dress by Gail Doane
Featured in: Classic Sewing Spring 2022
Is it counterchange smocking or surface honeycomb smocking? Why, it’s a combination of both with beads added to the mix! Gail Doane has cleverly combined these two smocking stitches to create The Lilyana Dress. The white tone-on-tone smocking is the foundation, and red is a vivid accent color for the beads, buttons, and ribbon. The instructions and pattern (sizes 2–6) are available in the downloads for our Spring 2022 issue.
Heart to Heart by Ruth Johnson
Featured in: Classic Sewing Spring 2023
Simple smocking and embroidery stitches embellish this exquisite dress for your special girl! Designed by Ruth Johnson, the gingham dress features a smocked waist and charming heart pockets embroidered with chicken scratch hearts. The heart pockets will be her favorite for hiding little tokens of affection. This dress is featured in our Spring 2023 issue, and the downloadable dress pattern is included in the issue downloads in sizes 4–8.
Bows and Scallops by Kathy Dykstra
Featured in: Classic Sewing Holiday 2017
This dress makes any occasion a happy one, especially when your precious girl wears it. Using traditional heirloom sewing techniques, Kathy Dykstra has created a stunning dress with a shadow appliqué hem, yoke, and bow motifs. The instructions, templates, and pattern (sizes 2–10) are available in the downloads for our Holiday 2017 issue.
![Gail Doane Smocked and Beaded Dress]()
Smocked and Beaded Dress by Gail Doane
Featured in: Classic Sewing Spring 2017
This elegant cotton sheen sateen dress is beautifully smocked and beaded by Gail Doane. Gail’s eye for precision and picture-perfect children’s apparel brings us an elegant smocked dress ideal for Valentine’s or virtually any special occasion. You can find the dress pattern (sizes 4–10) and smocking plate in our Spring 2017 issue. While this issue is now out of print, we also offer a start-anytime online class in which Gail will walk you step-by-step through the creation of this project. Downloadable patterns and instructions are included with the online class purchase.
![Spring Bouquet dress by Vaune Pierce]()
Spring Bouquet by Vaune Pierce
Featured in: Classic Sewing Spring 2019
This sweet linen sleeveless confection is accented with a Liberty of London lawn print for the collar and the piping used in the armholes and the hem. The front bodice is decorated with vertical piping that frames a delicate scallop of lazy daisies. A scalloped daisy garland accentuates the geometric smocking, and the shaped collar continues the scallop theme. Pair it with a red or white cardigan for cooler February temperatures. For the pattern, designer Vaune Pierce used the Classic Sleeveless Yoke from Classic Couture for Children — High Waist version. Or, you can use any sleeveless yoke pattern. The pattern alterations, construction notes, smocking plate, and embroidery template are all included in our Spring 2019 issue.
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Maddie’s Pearls by Martha Ullmer
Featured in: Classic Sewing Holiday 2016
The Maddie’s Pearls design by Martha Ullmer takes on a lovely Valentine’s look when constructed with red and white fabric. The contrast of colors makes this dress a frilly and festive favorite. For the pattern, Martha used Sue Stewart’s Rose pattern. You can find the pattern adaptation instructions, smocking plate, and smocking with pearls instructions in our Holiday 2016 issue.
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Let’s Have a Conversation by Frances Messina Jones
Featured in: Sew Beautiful December 2013/January 2014
Smock the perfect Valentine’s Day bishop for your littlest sweetheart using Frances Messina Jones classic picture plate! Featuring everyone’s favorite Valentine treat, this adorable smocking plate is included in our December 2013/January 2014 digital issue of Sew Beautiful. You can use any bishop patten to create the dress (Frances used Ellen McCarn’s Ultimate Bishop Dress pattern).
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Sweet Valentine by Linda Richards and Monica Estrada
Featured in: Sew Beautiful January/February 2006
This darling dress designed by Linda Richards and Monica Estrada is featured in our January/February 2006 digital issue of Sew Beautiful. Geometric and bullion smocking, a scalloped yoke, capped sleeves, and heart-shaped pockets make this dress a treat. Monica Estrada designed the smocking plate, and Linda Richards turned it into a novelty look that can be worn any time of year. The downloadable dress pattern (sizes 2–6) is included with the digital magazine issue, along with the instructions and smocking plate.
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