Smocking anyone??

[DancingRoundTheKitchen]

Can anyone tell me how easy it is to do smocking? Or point me in the direction of where I can learn??

Easy (well, fairly easy) but time-consuming. I had a book, but there's a good explanation here (second part here).

Oh gosh smocking is on my to do list along with felting and spinning. It's just so pretty... thanks for the links

Thanks for the links! Going to give it a go.

I am doing smocking at the moment and I can't quite believe how much more I have to do on my dress! So time consuming and I don't think I've got the bug. I'll finish this dress and gladly hand the pleather back. Good luck!

I did smocking but I don't think it was the 'traditional' way. Was easy.

Sewed lines of shirring elastic (as its called) and then sprayed with cold water - amazingly you just watch the fabric crinkle up and get the effect it's brilliant!

It's probably not right for you, but as a quick method this is how I did it. www.rufflesandstuff.com/2010/02/shirring-tutorial.html?m=1

That's shirring, really, rather than smocking. But, yes, it's also easy (and much much less effort).

I did smocking on the child's dress I made for my O level needlework... and then made myself a farmer's smock to wear over my jeans in the Summer of 74!

If you can embroider you will find it really easy, I do the occasional piece of smocking for friends... I really enjoy it as it is such a practical use for embroidery.

My Mum made me lots of lovely smocked dresses as a child. Have a look under "heirloom sewing" on The Sewing Forum

I saw this Oz magazine at the Ally Pally show last Autumn, but looks like sadly it is going out of print very soon.