• Home
  • Suggest A Craft
  • DIY Newsletter

Needle Work

Art, patterns and techniques

  • About CraftGossip
  • Our Network
    • Bath & Body Crafts
    • Candle Making Ideas
    • Crochet Ideas
    • Cross Stitch
    • Edible Crafts
    • Felting Patterns
    • Glass Art
    • Home & Garden Ideas
    • Indie Crafts
    • Jewelry Making
    • Kids Crafts
    • Knitting Patterns
    • Lesson Plans
    • Needlework
    • Party Ideas
    • Polymer Clay
    • Quilting Ideas
    • Recycled Crafts
    • Scrapbooking
    • Sewing Patterns
    • Card Making
    • DIY Weddings
    • Not Craft Ideas
  • Giveaways
  • Roundups
  • Store
  • Search

Smocking 101 – Learn How To Smock

January 20, 2008 by kasey anne 1 Comment

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 and has been done since the Middle Ages, is unique among needlework techniques in that it was frequently worn by laborers. Other popular embroidery patterns are primarily ornamental and depict status symbols. Smocking was used to make clothing that was both form fitting and flexible, and its name comes from smocking a farmer’s work shirt.

 

 

How to Do Smocking the Easy Way | TREASURIE

 

Simple DIY Ideas for Clothes: Smocking Tutorial by Diy Stitching

How to Sew Honeycomb Smocking 

Here are some interesting smocking links to get you started Smocking – My Introduction

or if you need a little more visual help Everything Sewing has detailed video’s on how to smock and for all your supplies check out Creative smocking.

Thesmockingbird.com

or crosseyedcricketsmocking all of which are great sources for supplies and design plates.

When it comes to preserving a traditional craft, learning to smock is definitely a step in the right direction. Not only is smocking an art form that takes patience and skill, but it is also very important for young people to learn.

There are many reasons why smocking is important. For one, it is a skill that can be used in a variety of different ways. Whether you are looking to create a garment from scratch or just need a repair done, learning to smock can come in handy. Additionally, smocking can be used as a form of self-expression. Whether you are looking to create a unique piece of clothing or just want to add a bit of flair to your wardrobe, learning to smock can be a great way to do so.

There are also a number of practical reasons why learning to smock is important. For one, it can be used to create repairs on clothing. Whether you need to fix a tear in a shirt or replace a seam, learning to smock can be a great way to do so. Additionally, smocking can be used to create garments from scratch. Whether you are looking to create a dress or a shirt, learning to smock can be a great way to do so.

Overall, learning to smock is a great way to preserve a traditional craft and to give young people the opportunity to create unique pieces of clothing. Not only is smocking an art form, but it is also a skill that can be used in a variety of ways. If you are looking to learn more about smocking, be sure to take a look at some of the resources available online.

What kinds of smocking exist?
Traditional English smocking, in which the cloth is marked with dots before being gathered into pleats with the dots as guidelines. The pleats are then maintained in place by embroidering on top before the gathering threads are removed.
North American smocking, in which the stitch pattern is used to control the fabric as it is pulled up rather than gathering.
Radial smocking is the process of drawing up a piece of fabric in the shape of a ring doughnut.
Smocking in North America in which the stitch pattern is used to manipulate the fabric as it is pulled up rather than gathering.
Smocking is popular in Italy. This is distinct in that the stitches connect the dots rather than creating a little thread at each.

Related Ideas:

  • aari-indian-work-embroidery-patterns-free-needlework-
    Aari Work Hand Embroidery Tutorials and Patterns
  • candlewicking-white-work-embroidery-patterns-free-needlework-japanese copy 2
    White Work Embroidery Patterns
  • chicken-scratch-amish-gingham-work-embroidery-patterns-free-needlework-
    15 Chicken Scratch Embroidery Tutorials
  • japanese-kogin-work-embroidery-patterns-free-needlework-
    Kogin Embroidery Patterns And Tutorials
«
»

Trackbacks

  1. Smocking 101 · Craft Gossip :: Craft Blog Network says:
    February 1, 2008 at 1:02 am

    […] Smocking is an embroidery technique used to gather Read the full post Smocking 101 […]

Have you read?

Primrose and Bee Punch Needle Pattern from DMC

King Sophie’s World – Where Photography Meets Embroidery in a Stunning Art Evolution

Stitch Stars: Taylor: Over 20 unofficial embroidery patterns for stitchy superfans

DMC American Camping Embroidery Pattern – A Nostalgic Outdoor Stitch for Summer Lovers

Chats on Needlework by Emily Leigh Lowes – A Vintage Stitcher’s Treasure Trove

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Needlework Patterns and Ideas

There is no better place than the Needlework blog for all the latest tutorials and free patterns. Need some inspiration? We have you covered there too with awesome artists and links to amazing websites. Are you an avid cross stitcher? Maybe embroidery is thing, No matter what kind of stitch you are passionate about, there is something for you on the Needlework blog.There is no need to spend hours searching the internet for the latest news in the Needlework world, just stop by Craft Gossip and find everything you need for your next stitchy project. C'mon in! Have a seat, grab a cup of tea and catch up with your favorite stitchy friends.

Explore

Applique Artists Christmas Craft Inspirations Craft News and Events Crazy quilting Cross stitch DIY Tutorials and Patterns Embroidery Felt Free Patterns Giveaways Hand Holiday Machine Embroidery Needlepoint and bargello Needlework general news Patterns and charts Tips Tutorials

RSS More Articles

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo for Kids
  • Primrose and Bee Punch Needle Pattern from DMC
  • Striped Ripple Afghan- Free Crochet Pattern
  • Knitting Pattern Review: Sabai Top by PaulaStrickt
  • Book Review – Capture Your Own Life with Collage Quilting
  • 4 FREE Christmas in July Digital Stamp Borders
  • Designer Spotlight: Needle Lot Designs
  • Coffee Cozy Knitting Patterns
  • Book Review: Sew Green: Reimagine, Reuse, Recreate
  • 12 Travel and Vacation Scrapbook Layout Ideas

Copyright © 2025 · CraftGossip | Start Here | Contact Us | Link to Us | Your Editors | Privacy and affiliate policy