Who doesn’t love a bit of inspiration? Today, we are going to be sharing smocking inspiration that spans the gamut from traditional, English smocking to more modern techniques. But first, we have a few housekeeping items we need to follow-up on in regards to our post, Smocking: An Introduction, due to some excellent comments and a few more resources we found.

Michie’ Mooney, of Creations by Michie’, was mentioned as being an excellent resource. Michie’ actually lives really close to us {although we have not personally met her}, and we own many of her patterns, but for some reason we had her more in the category of embroidery and sewing patterns. Specifically, her Beginning Smocking book was mentioned as an excellent resource {details of the book’s release can be found here}. She also offers several FREE smocking plates: great for beginners, one inspired by snow incorporating pearl beads, Easter bunnies, Pumpkins {bishop and yoke}, Snowmen, Tiny Hearts, Valentine’s Day, perfect for church, Balloons, Candy Corn, Sailboats, Lambs and Christmas {station wagon + Christmas tree}.

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Be sure to check out Michie’s site and all that she has to offer!

There was also a great deal of discussion on using “dots” to pleat your fabric when you don’t have a pleater. You can purchase Knott’s dots here and a helpful tutorial is included in the packaging. If you are still interested in this technique, there is a helpful tutorial from Michie’ titled, “Pleating without a Pleater”.

While we did mention Australian Smocking and Embroidery, we failed to mention the book, A – Z of Smocking, which is also published by Country Bumpkin.

We don’t own this book {it’s officially been added to our “wish list”}, but feel certain that it is a compilation of smocking tutorials found in the Australian Smocking and Embroidery magazines.

And, who can talk about smocking without mentioning Lezette Thomason, one of the ladies who began the Children’s Corner Pattern Company? Virtually, we feel pretty “tight” with Ms. Lezette because every time we sew the Lucy dress pattern {lined garment} by Children’s Corner we reference one of her very helpful video tutorials to help us through the finishing process. She truly is the star of the company’s YouTube channel. Ms. Lezette also has a video for sale, “Add a Little Smocking”,  teaching you how to incorporate smocking into just about any pattern you own {sneak peek here}! How exciting is that?

Another excellent site for smocking instruction is maggiebsmocks where Ms. Maggie includes tutorials for the trellis stitch, cable and wave stitch, how to change thread in the middle of a smocking row (which we didn’t cover on our videos, but might cover at a later date), how to sew a smocked insert into a garment, the bishop dress from start to finish and pleating for smocking to name just a few, as well as FREE smocking plates.

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Our virtual friend, Deb, shared Judith Marquis of Amberlane & Amberpetites for smocking inspiration who while heard of by us, is especially well-known in Canada. While Ms. Judith offers children’s patterns that incorporates smocking, she also has ladies’ patterns with smocking {which as a general rule aren’t seen too often}. However, she is probably best known for her doll patterns designed to fit the American Girl dolls.

In our second post {Smocking: Preparation and Your First Stitch}, we discussed our very first smocking project, Amy Lynn, by Terry Collins.

While it is an easy sew and perfect for a beginner, ours is not perfect by any means. But, guess what. . .the majority of people can’t determine what is good or bad smocking. . .they are just impressed that you smock!

So, once you’ve practiced and have a few smocking projects under your belt, where do you go from here? Quite possibly, our favorite smocking pattern and plate is the Shoulder Button Bishop pattern {smocking plate is included with the pattern} and Roses All Around smocking plate by Trudy Horne of Collars, etc. that was originally published in Creative Needle magazine {another excellent magazine resource} in the January/February 1998 issue.

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Of course, the magazine is now out of print, and we’d venture to say this particular one might be one of the most popular issues . . . making it quite difficult to find. However, Creative Needle eventually offered it as a stand alone pattern for purchase. YIPPEE! The pattern has a bit of a twist from your standard bishop in that it doesn’t button on the front or back, but rather at the side. The smocking plate is geometric and very straight forward, but the embroidery makes it a more difficult sew.

Next up is another bishop, but this time it has been picture smocked. We had seen this lovely creation on pinterest by Kathy Dykstra, but had never been able to find any details. So, why not just ask the lady behind the needle, Ms. Kathy, herself?

This creation was the original inspiration behind the dress on the cover of Sew Beautiful #143. The original dress used the smocking plate by Fancy Stitches which is now out of print {you might be fortunate enough to find a copy on ebay or etsy} and the final version that Ms. Kathy designed, “Fishing for Compliments”, can be downloaded here. Or, if you are interested in other goldfish smocking plates, there are several options here. And while it isn’t related to smocking – how cute is that organdy fish bowl pocket? The how-to instruction for re-creating this look can be found here.

Interested in creating a brother / sister look? Little brother is wearing a smocked insert using the smocking plate “In the Swim” by Mollie Jane Taylor {the plate also includes an option for a bishop dress}.

While we are talking boys and smocking inspiration, who hasn’t seen this image of Prince George?

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There has been lots of discussion about how to sew something similar and at one point we saw where you could purchase the same outfit ready-to-wear. The cover of Australian Smocking and Embroidery Issue #46 has the closest comparable that we have run across, although it may be necessary to make a minor modification and not elasticize the legs.

Personally, we think that Prince George is the most powerful influence in the world of smocking fashion right now.

Other “English Smocking” inspirations might include, but aren’t limited to:

A Patriotic Ensemble, Handmade Martini

{using the free, Oliver + S Popover Sundress Pattern}

Smocked Sundress in Gingham, Purl Bee

Linny’s Pinafore, Mommy’s Apron Strings

Earlier, we mentioned Ms. Lezette’s video on incorporating smocking into any pattern, and as of late, the pocket seems to be a focal point for many. In our first month of “Flip this Pattern”, Lisa {of Mommy’s Apron Strings} added smocking to the “bubble pockets” on the featured shorts. Oliver + s has an excellent tutorial by Sharon of “Sweet Peas and Pumpkins” on how to incorporate a similar look {without a pleater} and if you are wanting just a teeny bit of sweet smocking, this tutorial by Michie’ is perfect!

So far, we have touched primarily on English smocking techniques and inspiration {which we’ve read is about 95% of all smocking}. However, there has been a growing trend in “Direct Smocking” which doesn’t have the elasticity of English smocking, and is formed by the fabric being drawn-up and the stitches being formed simultaneously, creating gorgeous texturing. So, while we are on pockets, why not use a “Direct Smocking” technique on a small area such as a pocket? Inspinration took the Ishi dress pattern by StraightGrain and modified it with loads of hand stitching.

For the bulk of the dress, she incorporated the sashiko embroidery technique. Then for the smocked pockets, she manipulated the polka dots to form “flowers”. To achieve the same look, she shares a magnificent tutorial here.

The day smocking trumped our fagotting technique was the day that our friend, Marta of doGuincho, entered this creation as a sew-along entry for Project Run and Play’s “All In the Details” contest.

After its resounding success, she shared a wonderful tutorial for her 3D Pleated Summer Dress with the rest of us! We are still absolutely smitten with her creation and would love to sew one of our own!

Another one of our virtual friends, Ana Sofia of S is for Sewing, shared a tutorial for incorporating a small amount of honeycomb smocking on the oliver + s ice cream dress here {and no pleater is necessary}!

Melissa from Melly Sews created her fabulous “Fields of Gold” dress while competing in Project Run & Play. She added a couple of twists to the typical techniques by using knit fabric and adding gold beads for texture. For her full smocking tutorial, go here.

When researching for this post, we became aware of a “Direct Smocking” technique known as Yo-Yo Smocking that Nancy of Nancy’s Notions shares in this video.

Again, it is fabric manipulation, but this time you use tools to manipulate the fabric into shapes, stitching the fabric into place. She also shows you how this technique can be incorporated into home decor, clothing accessories and bags.

Still interested in more inspiration and tutorials on smocking?

Be sure to visit SAGA’s {Smocking Arts Guild of America} pinterest boards for links to more tutorials as well as inspiration!

Missed a post on “Beginning Smocking”?

View them here:

Smocking: An Introduction

Smocking: Preparation and Your First Stitch {*two videos included in this post}

Smocking: The Wave Stitch {video tutorial included}

Smocking: The Trellis Stitch {video tutorial included}

If you like what you see, PLEASE…..

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