How to Do Smocking.
- 1. Make a small stitch under the first dot. Pass the needle through the fabric from one side of the first dot, under the dot to the other side. Pull ...
- 2. Continue taking stitches under each dot in the row. Pass the needle through the fabric from one side of the second dot, under the dot to the other ...
- 3. Finish stitching the remaining rows of dots. Thread your needle again and do the next row in the same way. Continue stitching the rows and securing ...
- 4. Gather the first two rows. Pull the end of the thread from the first stitched row gently, so that the fabric is folded into small, even gathers.
How to make a perfect smocking?
Steps to smocking. Step 1. After the fabric is gathered count your pleats. You need an even number of pleats. Now mark the center two pleats. The center of your smocking is actually the valley between these two pleats. You can make a mark at this place with a small stitch or using the chalk. This is a very important step in smocking. Step 2
What is smocking?
What is smocking ? Smocking is a design technique to control the fullness in a piece of fabric, with beautiful embroidery stitches. To do smocking, regular gathers ( or pleats) are taken on the fabric with long stitches on the back and very small stitches in the front.
How to sew smocking on the wrong side?
Mark the required number of rows for smocking on wrong side using a fabric pencil/chalk. Now, thread the needle with 3 strands of cotton thread, tie a knot at the end. Take a narrow elastic of the size smaller than length of the fabric you have, after pleating.
How do you mark the center of a smocking?
Now mark the center two pleats. The center of your smocking is actually the valley between these two pleats. You can make a mark at this place with a small stitch or using the chalk. This is a very important step in smocking.
How do you smock on a sewing machine?
2:145:45How to smock/shirr fabric easily with your sewing machine - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOne centimeter or three eighths of an inch from the upper edge. The seam won't be sealed at theMoreOne centimeter or three eighths of an inch from the upper edge. The seam won't be sealed at the beginning. So you don't sew forward and back again but just begin with the seam.
How do you do smocking techniques?
0:406:34How to Sew Lattice Smocking - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo first I'll draw parallel lines 1 inch apart going across the whole section where I want theMoreSo first I'll draw parallel lines 1 inch apart going across the whole section where I want the smocking. Next rotate your fabric 90 degrees and draw the next set of parallel lines 1 inch apart.
Can smocking be done on a sewing machine?
It was often used at the yoke or cuffs of a labourer's smock or for babies' clothes. Today we can recreate this effect much more quickly using a sewing machine. Our modern machines offer a range of decorative stitches suitable for creating the effect of 'smocking'.
What are the two basic methods that can be used in smocking?
They are Cable stitch and Trellis stitch. Simple borders, lines and thousands of patterns can be created with cable and trellis stitches (Figure 9.21).
Can you do smocking by hand?
To do smocking, start by making a grid on a piece of fabric using small, evenly-spaced dots. Then, thread a needle and make a small stitch under the first dot, from one side of the dot to the other. Then, bring the stitch to the next dot and repeat.
How much fabric do I need for smocking?
The smocking rule of thumb is roughly 3 to 4 times the amount of finished fabric needed when making small pleats.
What kind of thread is used for smocking?
Materials Used for Smocking NEEDLES - Crewel needles size 5 – 8 are used for smocking stitches. THREAD - Embroidery floss is the best thread as it is strong and can be separated into one to six strands. Cotton thread is used for cotton and silk thread is used for silk.
What is the difference between smocking and shirring?
Shirring is gathering fabric to decorate garment sections like the yoke, sleeves, and bodice; while smocking is a technique where fabric is gathered as a decorative embroidery design. Shirring results in round tucks that are evenly spaced, while smocking creates pleats without a stretch.
What are the materials and tools needed in smocking?
Smocking requires lightweight fabric with a stable weave that gathers well. Cotton and silk are typical fiber choices, often in lawn or voile. 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.
How do you cut a smocking dress?
1:5318:41SMOCKED DRESS TUTORIAL. | NDIFON NTUI | - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the front and back will be the same you just have to add enough allowance. So that it can passMoreSo the front and back will be the same you just have to add enough allowance. So that it can pass through the hip. And all the way up to the top all right.
How do you pleat for smocking?
5:009:06how to pleat for smocking - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you're like oh it's not square let me pull this layer that way it's if you pull too much on theMoreAnd you're like oh it's not square let me pull this layer that way it's if you pull too much on the bottom. More than on the top and the bottom fabric is going to well.
What type of stitch is applied first and is mostly used in smocking?
1. Outline stitch: The outline stitch (also known as a stem stitch) comprises overlapping diagonal stitches running in the same direction. It is often the first row of stitches applied to a garment to hold the pleats in place.
What is the difference between smocking and shirring?
Shirring is gathering fabric to decorate garment sections like the yoke, sleeves, and bodice; while smocking is a technique where fabric is gathered as a decorative embroidery design. Shirring results in round tucks that are evenly spaced, while smocking creates pleats without a stretch.
How do you add smocking to a pattern?
Cut the yoke pattern piece in muslin. Align and center the muslin on the smocked section's wrong side, pin, and stitch in place about 1/4 inch from the muslin edge. Center and pin the muslin on the smocked section's wrong side, then stitch in place.
How do you make a smocked dress?
0:1710:03DIY SMOCKED DRESS from scratch - Dress for the besties - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNext step and make sure the lens of the crest I want is 75 centimeters which is the lens from yourMoreNext step and make sure the lens of the crest I want is 75 centimeters which is the lens from your pressed to upper your knee or where you want it to be.
How does a smocking Pleater work?
A smocking pleater is a machine invented by the Read Company of South Africa in the 1950's to make pleats for smocking. onto specially designed needles which are threaded with strong thread. Once the fabric is pleated, it is blocked and sized in preparation for your beautiful stitching.
How to add smocking to fabric?
There are two ways of doing this. You can make the smocking on a pre cut pattern piece or Do the smocking on the fabric and then cut the pattern. I would be doing the second method unless it is a square piece of pattern.
Where to put smocking transfer?
Place the smocking transfer right side down on the fabric.
How to make smocking stitches look good?
Holding the iron just a little bit away with the steam setting on will make the pleats look good . The most important thing in making beautiful smocking stitches is to do all your stitches with consistency. Always making your stitches even and smooth, placing your needle along the same plane pleat after pleat.
What thread do you use for smocking?
Smocking stitches are done with regular embroidery thread. On silk clothes use silk thread and on cotton fabric use cotton thread. 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.
What is smocking in embroidery?
Smocking is a design technique to control the fullness in a piece of fabric, with beautiful embroidery stitches. To do smocking, regular gathers ( or pleats) are taken on the fabric with long stitches on the back and very small stitches in the front.
How much cloth do you need for a smocked piece?
You need atleast 3 times the cloth for the width of the final piece. ie if you want a final smocked piece of 10 inches you need to take 30 inches cloth to do the smocking. But then it also depends on the tightness of the smocking stitches. If you make very slack stitches the cloth needed will be less.
How many strands of thread should I use for smocking?
One or two colors, two or three shades of the same color are all preferred for smocking. I use three strands of thread for the smocking stitches; for a thicker effect, you can choose four strands.
What is the trick behind smocking?
The real trick behind a successful smocking of your garments is the preparation and stitching stage. So, check out each stage prior to and after smocking to get the best-finished results for your embroidered garment. Moreover, each stage is subdivided and well-explained with a step-by-step guide.
How to get the best results from smocking?
In this stage, you will have to wash the fabric and press down the wrinkles on them. If you’re using a very thin or lightweight fabric, then you can add some fusible interfacing.
How To Do Smocking On A Sewing Machine?
If you want to control the fullness of your embroidery garment around the bodice, neckline, and shoulders, then do smocking. This embroidery technique helps to gather the fabric of these areas and makes them lose fitting.
How Can You Do Smocking On Extra Small Or Fine Pleats?
However, you may face the drawback of unclean fabric on the underside. So, try to use chalk or a removable ink pen in your fabric.
Why do you need to add stitches to smocking?
You will have to add small stitches in smocking to create some elasticity around the fabric or garment. However, you will need proper equipment or materials to perform smocking easily and efficiently. The real trick behind a successful smocking of your garments is the preparation and stitching stage.
What is smocking in sewing?
July 7, 2021. Jessica. Smocking is one of the famous types of embroidery that allows you to add decorative and unique stitches to garments. In addition, you can create some elasticity in your garments while doing your stitches. Therefore, smocking is the best way to get finished embroidery garments with mesmerizing design and stitches.
What is stage 4 sewing?
Stage 4: Smocking On Sewing Machine. If you have gathered and made the stitches, it’s time for you to do smocking on the garment. However, you must double-check if the gathers are even or not. So, if your fabric is ready, start sewing from the parallel rows of your decorative stitches.
How to do a smocking stitch?
This stitch is more elastic than any other of the smocking stitches, and is equally suitable for fine or coarse work. Start in 1st pleat. Take a stitch through top of 2nd and 1st pleats together, catch them together with a 2nd stitch but this time taking needle down back of the 2nd pleat until 2nd gathering thread is reached, then bring it out. Catch 3rd and 2nd pleats together with a stitch, make a 2nd stitch over this and take needle up back of 3rd pleat and out at 1st gathering thread. Continue up and down in this way until row is complete. Work a 2nd row on 3rd and 4th gathering threads and consecutive row s if required . Honeycomb is used mainly to finish off a pattern.
How to steam press a smock?
To do this, pin the smocking face down on the ironing blanket stretching it to the required measurement. Place a damp cloth over it and pass a hot iron gently over; the weight of the iron must not rest on the material or the pleats will be flattened. Continue passing the iron gently over the cloth until it is dry.
How to do surface honeycomb stitch?
Surface Honeycomb Stitch: Bring up needle on left side of 2nd pleat from right; make a stitch over these 2 pleats and take needle down on right side of 2nd pleat and pass it through 2nd and 3rd pleats halfway between 1st and 2nd gathering threads. Continue up and down, advancing one pleat with every stitch.
What thread to use for smocking?
Clark’s Anchor Stranded Cotton is one of the best threads to use, working with three or four strands in the needle according to the fineness of the material. Milwards “Gold Seal” Crewel Needles should be used and for the preliminary gathering threads use No. 40’s sewing cotton. The smocking stitches can be carried out in one colour on a cream ground or several colours can be used with a very good effect.
Why is smocking so popular?
Because of its beautiful appearance, simplicity and usefulness, smocking has become very popular for use on lingerie, children’s wear and many other articles.
Where to put needle in pleats?
This stitch is used at the commencement of most patterns. Bring needle up on left side of a pleat, then pick up next pleat to the right allowing needle to slant as shown in diagram. The thread here is kept above the needle, it can however be kept below with needle slanting upwards.
What is the art of smocking?
The Art Of Smocking: How To Guide. Of peasant origin, smocking is a decorative means of gathering a wide piece of material into a required measurement. The word “smock” comes from the Anglo Saxon–smoce–meaning a shift or shirt, and from early Saxon days men working in the fields wore these loose fitting tunic-like garments.
How to do honeycomb smocking?
To practice this form of smocking, mark about six rows of dots on a small piece of material. Make the dots a quarter inch apart, and the rows the same distance from one another, placing dot under dot, so the lines run square and true in both directions. The work progresses from the upper left dot across two rows to the right.
What is a smock?
Smocking is a decorative method of gathering fabric developed in England. It was commonly found on the clothing of laborers and farmers because of its practicality in making garments flexible.
What is the Smocking Arts Guild of America?
There’s a Smocking Arts Guild of America (SAGA) that offers classes, retreats, newsletters and much more. They have a large online and social media presence.
What color embroidery thread is best for smocking?
Using an embroidery thread in a contrasting color gives the prettiest effect, though white on white smocking can give a very rich appearance.
How do you smock extra small or fine pleats?
There are several simple ways and methods smoking in your extra small folds instead of drawing dots. For example, you can mark in grids instead of points. However, you may encounter the downside of unclean fabric on the bottom. So try using chalk or a removable ink pen in your fabric.
What are the basic smocking stitches?
There are different smocking stitches for embroidery clothes. But if you want to do smocking on your sewing machine, check out these basic stitches.
How to do smocking pleats?
The first step is to pleat it. You can mark the starting and ending point of smocking with a fabric pencil. While using a smocking pleater is an easy way of doing this, you can also do it without this equipment. While working on the fabric just remember 3:1 ratio, and start pleating the fabric.
What is smocking a fabric?
Smocking a fabric is a popularly used embroidery pattern for years. This type of embroidery pattern is widely used in making clothes more fashionable. It is used to fancify skirts, shirts, frocks, kids wear, and pillows as well. You can either smock a fabric using a sewing machine or with your hands. If you are wondering how to smock a dress ...
How to keep pleats in place?
To keep the pleats in place use a running stitch, which you can easily remove later. Go on removing the pearl pins used previously while pleating the fabric. Mark the required number of rows for smocking on wrong side using a fabric pencil/chalk.
