Add a touch of DIY smocking to your next project with the Blooming Rose free smocking plate! Designed for the advanced beginner, Blooming Rose is a fun and simple way to try picture smocking. Did you know smocking isn’t just … Read More ...
Two needlework publishers bring smocking forward
Two of our favorite publishers are joining forces! Check out this announcement from F+W Media:
… Read More ...F+W Media, Inc. (www.fwmedia.com) and Country Bumpkin Publications (http://www.countrybumpkin.com.au/) have formed a partnership to create a range of digital and physical products for
Country Bumpkin in the USA
Sometimes I wish I lived in Australia so I could attend needlework classes at Country Bumpkin headquarters. You, too? Here are some awesome opportunities for folks in the USA to get a little Aussie needle flavor. Country Bumpkin’s e-newsletter announces,… Read More ...
Technique: Japanese smocking
This beautiful technique is new to me: Japanese smocking. Carolyn of caro-rose-creations lets us peek at a bag she made at a local workshop. Awesome. You can see more at Carolyn’s blog post. And if you are familiar with … Read More ...
A tasty pomegranate
This luscious pomegranate is a bit of a departure for tinctory. Her smocked jewelry usually doesn’t incorporate much beading, but the glass-bead “seeds” are perfect for this work. You’ll want to see it from every angle. See more photos … Read More ...
How To Smock on gingham
Stephanie Hung of The Crafts Dept. (MarthaStewart.com) suggests smocking on gingham for beginners. She says,
… Read More ...The squares in the gingham pattern act as sewing guides so you can make perfectly spaced stitches. As the thread makes knots in the front,
Inspiration: tinctory
I continue to be fascinated by the smocked necklaces created by Eva of tinctory. Textural, earthy, and above all original. See lots more of them at her blog post.
… Read More ...Smocking as art
Inspiration: tinctory
Eva of tinctory smocks fabric into organic forms as focals for her exotic jewelry. So original. So beautiful. See more on her blog.
… Read More ...Tutorial: Lozenge smocking
Smocking is an ancient technique that is commonly found in heritage and historical clothes. However, this classic surface ornamentation is making a surprising resurgence in modern design.
The lozenge design variant on North American smocking is made using a grid … Read More ...
Smock for prizes!
Country Bumpkin announces Reach for the Stars, An International Smocking Competition. CB’s e-newsletter says,
… Read More ...We are delighted to promote Reach for the Stars 2011 through Australian Smocking & Embroidery. With great prizes to be won, this competition is
Online resources: Smocked aprons
Machteld of Medieval Silkwork points to a wealth of tutorials for creating smocked aprons, which are authentic components of many medieval costumes. She wonders,
… Read More ...Where these types of smocked aprons really part of the working class wardrobe or were they
Tutorials you may have missed
Embroidery Techniques and Tutorials
There are many different embroidery stitches available to embroidery enthusiasts, and each has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. In this article, we will share some of the most popular embroidery stitches, as … Read More ...
Smocking 101 – Learn How To Smock
Smocking is an embroidery technique that is used to collect cloth in order for it to stretch. Smocking was extensively employed before elastic in cuffs, bodices, and necklines of clothes when buttons were not desired.
Smocking, which originated in England … Read More ...