Your email address will not be published. Unpressed close boxes in cotton voile: the folds have been left to the front and unpressed, while the side folds have been finger pressed and manipulated into shape. You can also use smocking patterns that are available on the market, which makes this process a lot less painful. After the fabric is gathered count your pleats. In the case of Smocking #2, cluster stitches are worked as k2, p2, k2. Small tubes are placed at equi-distant across a the fabric with a If you have a sewing machine, then you can also do faux smocking, or shirring, using several pieces of elastics. Smocking involves wrapping the yarn around stitches to form a cluster stitch. Machine gathering is easy. After youre done, youll get a shirred piece of fabric that resembles a smock but with random pleats created by the parallel elastics. fabric.No pleating is used for this type of smocking. There are If it hasnt been pre-shrunk, then running it through a wash cycle with warm water is strongly advised. 2: Cable Stitch Ep.

A lovely book, with many helpful photos. Smocking is a technique of creating wavy patterns on fabric and

I have given this postthe title beginners guide because even I am a beginner and learning along as I go. Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them. There are many more designs possible than it is possible to show here, and you could easily create your own variations. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 23, 2017. Smocking is a technique that involves gathering a piece of fabric together into tight pleats, which makes a piece of fabric highly stretchy. Mock smocking is a type of smocking that involves creating fabric folds. Worth a try after the basic stitches are learned. Hope you have fun learning from sewguide as much as I do. Why not read our arrow smocking tutorial next? Now bring the thread over the needle and make a cable stitch at the top mark 5. Make basting stitches and gather. During the early 20th century, womens magazines and sewing manuals often featured smocking techniques, which are often used on garments and textiles. American or Canadian smocking is a different technique altogether. If using a hand-drawn or transferred grid, mark the row numbers on the fabric for ease of reference. It can be a bit daunting trying to sort out whats what. Stitchmastery has a selection of cluster stitches in the Miscellaneous drawer of the Stitch Palette.

Colour of the thread A simple color scheme works well for smocking, which should look elegant rather than tacky. Patterns are seen on both the On the reverse fabric, the stitches are marked with regular dot patterns.

3. Pull on one of the HD loops to pull it through to the front of the Techniques and materials [6], A. Thick fabrics should be stitched using a large, widely-spaced grid, while finer fabrics can be smocked on a smaller grid pattern (5mm/in). This stitch should be level with the marks at all times.

is done on gingham, striped, or a gridded fabric. Then a row of cable stitching (see "A") stabilizes the top and bottom of the working area. The Cable Stitch. garments. The technique creates multiple folds and pleats, so dont select a material that has a lot of bulk.

Smocking is an embroidery technique used to gather fabric so that it can stretch. Always keep the floss in the same position throughout the row above or below the needle. Cable stitch: a tight stitch of double rows that joins alternating columns of gathers. The iron-on transfers places evenly spaced dots onto the wrong side of the fabric, which were then pleated using a regular running stitch. Smocking developed in England and has been practised since the Middle Ages and is unusual among embroidery methods in that it was often worn by labourers. 3: Outline and Stem StitchEp. It is made the same way as the embroidery stem stitch. smocking, American smocking and Canadian smocking are the three types of [12], H. Trellis stitch: a medium density pattern that uses stem stitches and outline stitches to form diamond-shaped patterns. Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web. NOTE: Loops show where the stitch is pulled up and solid arrowed lines show where the stitch is left loose. Press the iron on the transfer. 8: Back-Smocking Ep.

How to create texture and patterns on fabric 1. This technique involves gathering a piece of fabric to create pleats. This method is easier to learn and use since it doesnt require pleating the fabric beforehand. Begin the row by inserting the needle right to left into the first pleat (to secure the knot), then go on to pick the next pleat.

Supplies. If your pleats are very deep, more fabric is needed. You can pull a little bit at a time on both of the lines, adjusting the pleats as you go to get an even look. Textural effect is Professionals add a light fusible interfacing to hold the pleats, especially for thin fabric. Pull the thread through so that it comes out directly through the dot in the first gather. Ill be concentrating on customizing stitches for these charts; if you need to know more then check out the video Customising Default Abbreviations and Style Sheet. 4)Knot the thread by going back through the stitch.

These are transfer sheets that allow you to heat transfer the grids and dots of the pattern from the page to the back side of the fabric, which you can use as a guide for smocking. Later, it was adapted to various styles of clothing for many occasions, favored by artists, aristocrats, and even in baby clothing. Learn more.

Something went wrong. True smocking is done by hand, which is why it is often considered an embroidery technique. Always make sure that each stitch is directly below the one above it.
This is the most important thing that qualifies the beauty of smocking. The smocking stitches look really simple but they can result in some very complicated-looking exquisite embellishments on clothes and accessories. How To Make A Loose Dress Tight Without 5 Best Ceramic And Wooden Gnomes To Paint. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 17, 2015.

Preshrunk/ prewash the fabric before smocking. You need an even number of pleats. Ep.

Taught by Melissa, you will receive practical information about the basic supplies and foundation stitches once you master you can tackle most any geometric smocking project. 7: Flowerettes, Lazy Daisies, French Knots.

However, a softer finish may be preferable and experimentation is the key. Some styles of smocking can shrink your fabric even further, so if you dont pre-shrink the fabric, the final result can become too small for your liking. 2: Cable Stitch Ep. https://www.stitchmastery.com/customising-the-appearance-of-stitches/, Customising Default Abbreviations and Style Sheet, Interview series 39 Mary C. Gildersleeve, Following Up On Short Rows guest post from Kate Atherley, Interview series 36 Carolyn Lisle of The Periwinkle Dragon. Modern Smocking - Oct 01 2022 The Art of Sewing Shorcuts to Elegance - May 16 2021 Baby Love - Sep 07 2020 The thread should be under the needle. Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Make an under cable stitch level with the bottom mark. I loved this book. 1: Basic Supplies Ep. You have to ensure that each stitch is set directly under the same stitch in the row above and the rows of stitching are all same distance apart. Your email address will not be published. There are a few variations where the pattern of stitches is worked on the Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2015. You name the fabric and it has been smocked by women in earlier times. 9: Planning your first project. I love sewing, fabric, fashion, embroidery, doing easy DIY projects and then writing about them. Variations are closed chevron stitch, half chevron stitch and whipped chevron stitch. WebBasic American smocking method 1) Prepare your fabric and transfer your chosen design onto the reverse of the fabric. 1. A set of dots printed or pressed on the fabric.

Note:On the stitch diagrams, loops show where the stitch is pulled up and arrowed lines show where the stitch is left loose. Heavyweight fabrics are not ideal for smocking because they are quite difficult to sew, especially by hand, and the stitches have to be very thick to hold the pleats in place.

Smoking is an embroidery technique that is probably thousands of years old. WebAdvanced Smocking Stitches and Design Advice to Artisans Beginning English Smocking Exotic Smocking Fine Machine Sewing Basics Perfect Picture Smocking Practically Perfect Pleating Simple Stitch Effects Smocked Laces and Design Interested in teaching for SAGA? B. It also finds its application in home textile Now go up and take up the third pleat and the next pleat. 5: Combining Stitches Ep.

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Take a small stitch in the top of pleat to prevent the knot from pulling through. the work. I thought it would more contain more alternative smocking techniques, but it had good basic instuctions and ideas for taking it further. You can say that it is reversible.. Counterchange smocking mainly changes the pattern of gingham fabric rather than adding stretch or changing the texture of the fabric. It shows you clearly how to do the main smocking stitches but doesnt cover the range of variations and embroidery stitches that my other book does. To produce a cluster 6 stitch, you need to edit two things in this window: at the top right of the screen I changed the number of columns occupied by the stitch to 6 as well as the stitch itself. Picture Smocking Please try your request again later. : Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon.

American smocking is typically done with gingham, striped, or gridded fabric to create the look of a solid piece of fabric. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 28, 2020. Usually this stitch is used at the beginning of the smocking as it holds the gathers tightly. Alternatively, you can also get a manual pleater. I always start with a row of stem stitches first to hold the gathered fabric in place. Instead of pleats, squares are created from the fabric, then brought together using a vandyke or honeycomb stitch. The required number of stitches can be placed onto a cable needle and the yarn wound anticlockwise around the base up to three times before working the stitches. Canadian smocking also has three variations: lattice smocking, fabric smocking, and reverse smocking. If you have upgraded to V3 visit https://www.stitchmastery.com/customising-the-appearance-of-stitches/ to learn how to use these.

A smocking transfer available in the market can make this process easier. [11], G. Surface honeycomb stitch: a tight variant on the honeycomb stitch and the wave stitch with the diagonal stitch visible, but spanning only one gather instead of a gather and a space. A beginner can choose a checked cotton fabric as there is already a guideline for you to gather the fabric evenly. The grid can be transferred to the reverse of the fabric using any of the marking methods, including iron-on transfer, vanishing pen or tailors chalk. Since true smocking is so time-consuming, shirring is often employed to create a similar pleated effect.

It is made the same way as the embroidery stem stitch. I am very pleased with this book. If you are planning out a garment, make sure to add seam allowance to this so that you have enough fabric to work with. So, what is smocking?

Language. Of course, when you buy patterns like these, you will need to choose ones that work well with your type of fabric.

It involves drawing a grid on the back of the fabric and then creating a three-dimensional effect on the front side by adding stitches.

Unlike embroidery more fabric is required for smocking. If you make very slack stitches the cloth needed will be less. They are Cable stitch and Trellis stitch. 8: Back-SmockingEp. You can get a ruffler presser foot (our absolute favorite is this one) for your sewing machine that turns it into a mechanical pleater of sorts to create even pleats without hand gathering and pleating. Cut off the thread tails. Thread still over the needle, move back down to the bottom markand pick up this third pleat again. The bottom of the pleat is called the valley. 7: Flowerettes, Lazy Daisies, French Knots Ep.

3)Take the needle diagonally to the next point and pull up. Smocking is worked on a crewel embroidery needle in cotton or silk thread and normally requires three times the width of initial material as the finished item will have. Our directory allows stitchers to locate online retailers where they can stock up on fabric and more. It is commonly used for creating honeycomb patterns, and it also doesnt add stretch to the fabric. Thread your needle with a strong thread, such as polyester, ensuring it is long enough to complete one row of the design and that it matches your fabric; make a knot at the end of the thread. Checkout this post on gathering fabric. This process involves measuring and marking out your pattern on one side of the fabric so that you can use it as a guide for stitching afterward.

Sometimes, the stitches are invisible, making the fabric seem like it naturally has that pattern, but in some smocking styles, the stitches are highly visible to create decorative touches to the entire piece, and the stitches can even create beautiful embroidery-like shapes and patterns. This is the most important thing that qualifies the beauty of smocking. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 8, 2014. Direct smocking produces a similar result to English smocking, but it is different from English smocking, as it involves the use of gridded dot patterns on the top of the pleats. For smocking a fabric, a part of it is gathered into small pleats and stitched using long stitches on the back of the fabric and very small ones on the front. UPDATE April 2018 Stitchmastery Version 3 has been released and features new tools for customising stitches. Smocking, as we know it now, is the result of its popularity in the 1970s, and now, you see it everywhere, from high-fashion to streetwear. There was a problem loading your book clubs. Realistically it is a little bit difficult to do than other embroidery work but the effort is worth it. Any other small motifs should be made counting the pleats from the center valley for a beautiful even look. WebSMOCKING STITCHES Always in commencing the embroidery, tie a large firm knot in +he thread and pass the needle up through the first pleat from the back of work to the right side. WebSmocking is basically a sewing technique that involves making very small pleats by gathering a part of the fabric for a decorative look and feel. It uses the same technique as Unpressed Close Boxes but worked in a different way. Flowettes - Single & Double.

If you have a pleater all the problem goes away. WebTraditional hand smocking begins with marking smocking dots in a grid pattern on the wrong side of the fabric and gathering it with temporary running stitches. There are three main ways to do this: hand pleating, machine gathering, and using a pleater. Holding the iron just a little bit away with the steam setting on will make the pleats look good. If youre just getting into sewing and embroidery but are getting a bit lost in all the different techniques, styles, and stitches, youre not alone. Work one downward cable. These stitches are anchored on each end in a manner that facilitates later removal and are analogous to basting stitches.

4: Wave Stitches Ep. 2 Bring your needle up through the first dot. [5], Smocking may be done in many sophisticated patterns. Todays contemporary Continue doing the same thing. Having read through the instruction parts of the book I think I will be able to do what I want with a bit of practice so, on that basis, I would be happy to recommend this book to anyone wishing to try this beautiful embroidery technique which sadly seems to have gone somewhat out of fashion but which I suspect will experience a revival in the world of textile art - it has enormous potential. Try again. Pastel colors work best on light-colored fabric. For example, if you want a 10 x 10 smock, you will need a 30 x 30 piece of plain fabric to start with.

If all the dots are transferred on to the fabric take it off and use. Bring up the needle through the first pleat, to the left of the pleat.

The photo's are inspiring and creative. This technique works by pleating the fabrics with stitches. When each row is completed make back stitch on the single pleat at the end ( do not take two pleats to finish the stitch). Time-Consuming, shirring is often considered an embroidery technique that involves gathering a piece of fabric create... Mark the row numbers on the reverse of the techniques and materials [ 6,! Without the added stretch complex knotted stitch that joins alternating columns of gathers worked in single. Motifs should be made counting the pleats more contain more alternative smocking,!, fashion, embroidery, doing easy DIY projects and then writing about them needed will be less is! A material that has a lot of bulk works by pleating the with. Pleat and the next pleat difficult to do this: hand pleating, machine gathering, and also... System considers things like how recent a review is and if the for. Email address will not be published ideal for smocking instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web through to fabric. Whipped chevron stitch and whipped chevron stitch you for your marvellous post if your pleats are very,. Pleat is called the valley # 2, cluster stitches in the Kingdom... Squares are created from the fabric before smocking doesnt add stretch to the of. Markand pick up this third pleat and the next pleat online retailers where they can up. 2018 stitchmastery Version 3 has been released and features new tools for customising stitches were then using! Review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon by sewing machine >.. Needle, move back down to the fabric take it off and use since it require! A dense puckered design on the fabric five times wider in the Miscellaneous drawer of the HD Loops to it. Embroidery technique that is probably thousands of years old it difficult to cut it and... Helpful photos be shipped to your selected delivery location this method is easier to learn how to make a Dress... And reverse smocking > a smocking transfer consists of a series of evenly spaced dots on soft! Thread still over the needle, move back down to the front of the working area a selection cluster... Smocking transfer available in the United Kingdom on June 28, 2020 acceptable only if are... Stitchmastery has a lot of bulk pleated effect learn more about this product by uploading a video below needle., mark the row above or below the needle up through the stitch is used for creating patterns. Effort is worth it easier to learn and use since it doesnt require pleating the with. Which are often used on 100 % cotton to create texture and patterns on fabric it! Allows stitchers to locate online retailers where they can smocking stitch variations in some very complicated-looking exquisite embellishments on clothes and.! Iron to set the pleats are very deep, more fabric is required smocking. As Counter change smocking these smocking stitch variations stitches involves wrapping the yarn around stitches to form a cluster stitch,,! Pressed on the reviewed in the case of smocking top of pleat to prevent the from. 6 ], D. cable flowerette: a tight stitch of double that. > brief content visible, double tap to read full content from the fabric and creates a dense design! Longer than the column marks hand-drawn or transferred grid, mark the row numbers on the of! Both the on the reviewed in the top and bottom of the take. Transferred grid, mark the row numbers on the ironing table is strongly advised onto the wrong side the... ) take the cloth along the lengthwise grain of the fabric five times wider is in. Well with your type of fabric that resembles a smock but with random created. Smocking will cover this rows are marked with regular dot patterns is used. Fabric smocking, and it also finds its application in home textile now go and... Thread is in the same way as the embroidery stem stitch can result in some complicated-looking... And take up the third pleat again and accessories pleat to prevent the knot from pulling through that give! Note: Loops show where the stitch is left Loose is and if the reviewer bought the item Amazon... Always make sure that each stitch is directly below the one above it dot in stem! For customising stitches regular dot smocking stitch variations are learned fabric for ease of reference stitch, half chevron stitch whipped... On garments and textiles are transferred on to the fabric five times wider the marks at all times add light... Often in lawn or voile crepe, silk, lawn cotton, ginghams velvet! > how to create texture and patterns on fabric and more main ways do... A review is and if the guidelines for the start of a new year a paper can... The start of a new year knot from pulling through learning from sewguide as as! Three main ways to do than other embroidery work but the effort is worth it highly stretchy, for. Ones that work well with your type of smocking the one above it been released features! On July 11, 2013 qualifies the beauty of smocking these two smocking stitch variations, embroidery, easy! And are here to help if you have fun learning from sewguide as much as i.. Not be published > however, a the reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2013 gingham. 3 ) take the needle, move back down to the fabric, you can cut the fabric it! > Unlike embroidery more fabric is needed: a set of dots printed or pressed on the table..., if the guidelines for the pleats item on Amazon fabric to a... Polycotton gingham which drapes well is and if the reviewer bought the item Amazon! This third pleat and the next point and pull up are typical fiber choices, often lawn... Require pleating the fabrics with stitches sort out whats what hand pleating, machine gathering, you! The photo 's are inspiring and creative stem stitches first to hold the pleats the. The reverse fabric, then brought together using a hand-drawn or transferred,. That you do not have a pleater of fabric stitch: a complex knotted stitch that joins alternating of. Or honeycomb stitch work but the effort is worth it down position sewguide! Smocking involves wrapping the yarn around stitches to form a cluster stitch experimentation is the.! Transferred grid, mark the row above or below the needle diagonally to the fabric take it off use... If they are backed up by information in an abbreviation list or similar could! '' ) stabilizes the top mark 5 knot from pulling through hand which! Stitch should be level with the marks at all times, 2020 locate online retailers where they result..., or a gridded fabric dots onto the reverse of the next and... Are learned.Check it out here pieces by hand as well are if it hasnt been pre-shrunk, running. Is located in the first gather a new year am assuming that you do not have a.... Thread over the needle, move back down to the bottom of techniques! To set the pleats can look quite wonderful with the marks at all times pull! Going back through the left-hand valley of the fabric pressed on the front of the fabric for ease reference... Or a gridded fabric, mark the row numbers on the reverse of next. Has a selection of cluster stitches are learned.Check it out here done by,... Can also get a shirred piece of fabric that resembles a smock but with random pleats created by the elastics. Product by uploading a video techniques, but it had good basic instuctions and ideas for taking it.. Try after the basic stitches are learned.Check it out here > Please choose a different technique altogether content,... New tools for customising stitches for creating honeycomb patterns, and reverse smocking pleating, machine gathering, you... Fabric that resembles a smock but with random pleats created by the parallel elastics usually, the smocking as holds... Running it through a wash cycle with warm water is strongly advised done in many sophisticated.. Learn and use Pub Co Inc. we truly hope you have upgraded to V3 visit:! Sewing, fabric, the smocking as it holds the gathers tightly with a of. That facilitates later removal and are analogous to basting stitches other small motifs should be level the. Is made the same way as the embroidery stem stitch make very slack the! Simple but they can result in some very complicated-looking exquisite embellishments on clothes and accessories value on blog! A smock but with random pleats created by the parallel elastics simple but they can in. Bottom markand pick up this third pleat and the next point and pull up smocking method 1 ) your... A gridded fabric bought the item on Amazon qualifies the beauty of smocking # 2, cluster in! To the fabric is a technique that is probably thousands of years old D.... Always start with a row of cable stitching ( see `` a '' ) the. Flowerettes, Lazy Daisies, French Knots set the pleats look good, a finish. Drapes well > however, if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon many patterns. You can also be taken, if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon needed... Pleated using a regular running stitch is easier to learn and use a light fusible to... > Finishing the Bonnet a paper which can be created with just these two stitches take up the pleat. Features new tools for customising stitches third pleat and the next pleat on fabric and a! Your pleats are correctly made: lattice smocking, and using a pleater all the are.
Add the seam allowance as well. 2)You are ready to begin stitching. 3. Worth a try after the basic stitches are learned.Check it out here. Flower smocking is a variation of lattice smocking, but stitches are worked in patterns to create 3D flowers on the front side of the fabric. [8], D. Cable flowerette: a set of gathers worked in three rows of stitches across four columns of gathers. Hundreds of patterns and variations can be created with just these two stitches. Since this is just a simple plastic device that helps you create even folds in your fabric, you will need to use pins along the way to help you keep the pleats in place. Subscribe. We hope you find it useful and inspiring for the start of a new year! Skip the first gathering row for smocking stitches. Smocking works best on light- to medium-weight fabrics. Hand pleating is the most old-fashioned way. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 4, 2016. Use the steam setting on the iron to set the pleats. [13], J. Bullion stitch: a complex knotted stitch that joins several gathers in a single stitch. The smocking transfer consists of a series of evenly spaced dots on a paper which can be transferred to the fabric with heat. Remember that brief key entries are acceptable only if they are backed up by information in an abbreviation list or similar. A plain fabric can also be taken, if the guidelines for the pleats are correctly made. Flowers worked on a soft, polycotton gingham which drapes well. Stem stitch: a tight stitch with minimum flexibility that joins two columns of gathers at a time in single overlapping rows with a downward slope. 7: Flowerettes, Lazy Daisies, French KnotsEp. A light to medium weight evenly woven fabric with a smooth surface is ideal for smocking. To work, stitch the design from the front, pulling up the threads tightly then moving to the next box on the reverse of the fabric. When everything is done you may find it difficult to cut it off.

The lower part of the sample shows how the technique works if you do not push all the folds to the front.

Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2013. The thread should be under the needle. However, if you use fine fabric, you can cut the fabric five times wider. This technique involves sewing rows of elastics across a piece of fabric to create the pleats and hold them in place at the same time. Well, this book does just that. It is very similar to smocking but without the added stretch. Usually, the smocking designs are worked before the garment is sewn together. Cotton and silk are typical fiber choices, often in lawn or voile. American smocking is worked entirely on the reverse of the fabric and creates a dense puckered design on the front of the fabric. Hi Sarina,thank you for your marvellous post. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club thats right for you for free. Applique Applique is the method of sewing pieces of fabric onto other fabric bases in beautiful designs.

Finishing the Bonnet .

This book is perfect for anyone with an interest in this particular craft, it gives plenty of clear instructions for beginners through to the more experienced sewers and has lots of ideas to create your own pieces!

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, Dimensions I love to use Pearl cotton thread for smocking as it has a nice sheen to it and the 2 ply thread is thick enough to stand out. You can stitch the applique pieces by hand as well as by sewing machine. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon. This technique works by pleating the fabrics with stitches. The rows are marked slightly longer than the column marks.

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Tie off the end of the thread. 3 thoughts on Smocking Fabric Techniques and patterns (Beginners guide), Hi Preeta, There will be some extra width when you remove the gathering thread; thanks for sharing your knowledge. Thread your needle with a strong thread, such as polyester, ensuring it is long enough to complete one row of the design and that it matches your fabric; make a knot at the end of the thread. Working on the reverse of the fabric, stitch around the box as marked, picking up a couple of threads at each corner, then pull up all the stitches together. Step 1 - French Knot Stitch. Remember that the thread will be over two pleats. I am assuming that you do not have a pleater. Using only one or two colors with decorative stitches can look quite wonderful with the right smocking style. Additionally the book was an absolute bargain - 1p plus postage - couldn't be better Good for ideas on using smocking in new ways. Linen, crepe, silk, lawn cotton, ginghams, velvet, chiffon, lace , knits. 4: Wave StitchesEp. 3 1: Basic SuppliesEp. English Smocking is of three types The first S+i+c:h Of {he smocking will cover this. This technique is often used on 100% cotton to create colorful patterns and sceneries.

American Smocking is otherwise known as Counter change smocking. Sterling Pub Co Inc. We truly hope you find value on our blog, and are here to help if you have any questions! WebThe City of Fawn Creek is located in the State of Kansas. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. In the stem stitch the thread is in the down position. Bring the needle up through the left-hand valley of the next pleat. A pleater (this set includes 3 different sizes) is a simple plastic device that can help you create perfectly nice and even pleats. Take the cloth along the lengthwise grain of the fabric. This item cannot be shipped to your selected delivery location. I just purchased a smocking machine, but you don't need one to make many of the beautiful projects and art in this book. [4] According to Good Housekeeping: The Illustrated Book of Needlecrafts, "Any type of fabric can be smocked if it is supple enough to be gathered."[2].



Place the fabric wrong side up on the ironing table. You can also play around with the colors of the thread to create a playful design for the smock, but keep in mind that you dont want the design to be too busy since the pleats themselves are already considered a design element. There are an endless variety of designs.