Smocking? Any experts here?

[pampamz]

I want to try smocking some stuff for DD. I am an "ok" sewer but have never tried this or even seen a book on it.

Any suggestions on where to start? Is it seriously labour-intensive and I should just buy smocked stuff for her?!!

Thanks (I hope I posted this ok in the lounge, wasn't sure the Craft forum was right for it?).

[AngelaS]

I'm a smocker! The best resource out there is put out by Country Bumpkin and is a book called "The A to Z of Smocking". It's about $25 but SO worth it as it explains EVERYTHING you need to know. Country Bumpkin is also the publisher of the Austrailian Smocking and Embroidery magazine which is about $15 an issue but has patterns and GORGEOUS pictures in it. :D

I taught myself to smock 4 or 5 years ago and love it! It's really not hard, but it does take some time. It's worth it tho! PM me or email me if you want to chat more. :D

[MartiesMom2B]

Lizajane smocks. She posts frequently in the Reality Layette section.

-Sonia
Mommy to Martie & Mei

[lizajane]

here i am!!

i like the ellen mccarn smocking books. you can find smocking plates (the patterns are called plates) that indicate that they are easy for beginners and you definitely want to start with those. you don't need any sewing skills, you just need to have great attention to detail. you have to keep your stitches in line and count your stitches to be sure your designs come out right. start with geometric smocking, not pictures. once you feel like you are crusin' on geometric projects, then try pictures.

some tips that really help me-

when you work, use the guide rows to tell you where to put your next stitch, NOT the other stitches.

when you go up and down on your project, making "waves," you always have your thread UP to go DOWN and DOWN to go UP. you have to move your hand up or down to make the thread be in the right place. when you go in a straight line, you just let the thread go where it naturally goes.

finally, TAKE A CLASS!!!!!!!!!!! it will make it a lot easier to learn.

email me anytime with questions. i am super busy, but will try my best to answer them!!!!! i love to talk smocking!!!

[pampamz]

Thank you ladies! I lost my post -- didn't see it moved here.

Anyways, I am going to try to find the books suggested and give it a go.

What do you smock? Do you just go to it on an existing dress or top? Is there special smocking thread? I totally thought this was machine-done, with elastic thread.

No matter -- I quilt by hand so this is similar in nature. Thanks again, I may pm you for more help.

TX!