Any "Smockers" out there???
 

I decided today that I would teach myself how to smock. It's pretty easy using the polka dot fabric and I think my first attempt came out pretty darn good! I will be making a wristlet purse out of these 2 pieces (saw a picture on Pinterest). Anybody else do smocking?? I think I will venture into doing some smocking on other prints but I am assuming I will have to mark the fabric - any words of wisdom?

That is really cute !!! I would never have thought of smocking like this. It's good.

Cute. Never tried it before. Really simple?

Yep! Here's the pictorial tutorial that I used http://zakkainspired.blogspot.jp/201...que-tried.html

Thanks for the link.....
May need to find some polka dots!

I love smocking on little girls clothes. It makes anything look special.

Cute, cute, cute. I did it long ago and used gingham. But those polka dots are terrific!

Me too!!!... I did a lot of it using gingham in all different sizes.

Funny enough, I thought about it the other day, and was thinking about doing some again.

I can remember my Mother doing this when I was a child. I had a dress which she smocked but I mainly remember her doing on baby clothes. I can remember her ironing the paper to transfer the dots onto the fabric.

When my eldest was expecting her first I discovered machine smocking when I sewed a stitch onto the wrong side of T shirting fabric I was using to make baby nighties. Haven't done it since.

I've done a fair bit of smocking for my GD . It is a really neat way to make anything look extra special and turns an ordinary gingham dress into a party gown. I've done the gingham and also carefully marked dots at 1/4" intervals to make my own design. Never saw the polka dot method so now I have another 'to do' project before I forget how to do it. Thanks for the tip.

Verynice piece made with the dots. I have done lots of smocking but only a fewpieces using this method. I have a pleating machine and do Englishsmocking. The most fun I've had was making dresses for a niece and alwaysmaking a matching dress for her doll. She has the best collection. I’vemade dresses for the great nieces and lots of other moms and grandmas. Such afun needlework.<o:p></o:p>

When I first learned to smock, we learned on gingham. I do it just sparingly. It's been years since I've done any.

Did a bit many years ago on gingham. Some with right side as you have wrong side. Reversed?? Clear as mud, I'm sure!

yes, I do some smocking, but need to practice more (between quilts). One great book is A-Z of Smocking. And you can contact SAGA to find smockers in your area. (Smocking Arts Guild of America. Have fun!

Good job. I smock but I make baby girl bonnets and boy caps. I enjoy it. I thought it would be difficult, but it isn't. Happy smocking!

Awe, it looks sew cute!

I smocked for several years and made many cute outfits for my kids and niece. Now our niece is expecting, so I'll be breaking out the pleater again. I bought a Pullen Pleater and have used it over and over. I have several patterns and magazines from years past. I'll post some pictures for you later. Have fun!

I am a smocker and used to design smocking patterns and design plates. I did English smocking pleating the fabric with a pleater and stitching on the tops of the pleats. Love smocking but don't have anyone to smock for any more!

i did the kind where you have to get the fabric pleated and then you follow a chart to make sailboats and such. i was making the second dress for my daughter when i gave up== i was trying to do a design on dark navy pinwale corduroy. too hard to see where to sew. it was fun till then. now that i'm back to sewing maybe i should start again.( on light fabric) smile
maybe one of you smockers would like to pleat some cotton for me? i would gladly pay you.

I played with it for awhile...the type where you do ducks, sailboats, etc. I kept thinking that while cute, it just didn't really make sense to me....the poor kid was going to spill a popsicle down the front of her dress and everyone was going to yell. I did like the exercise in needlework and I"m with Nancia. I"d pay someone with a pleater to pleat for me but first, I'd have to finish about 15 quilts I have in the works.

When my girls were small I made most of their clothes and I did a lot of smocking then. Not so much now

Never tried it but will now..I love that! I think I have a "Smocking Foot" on my machine but have never been adventurous enough to try! I am getting more creative in my old age...I think it is due to joining the "Doll Quilt Swap" run by Krystyna....There, it is all her fault!