A-Z of Smocking: A Complete Manual for the Beginner Through to the Advanced Smocker

(Paperback)

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Description

This book features every smocking stitch, clearly explained for beginners, but also has inspiring examples and new or little-known techniques to appeal to experienced smockers. It shows you how to work the stitches, read graphs, and select colours, fabric and threads. Learn how to pleat and block a garment, with advice on different techniques such as ribbon weaving, counterchange, template and freeform smocking and much more. It is bursting with hints, ideas and inspirational photographs. There is full advice on the fabric, needles and thread needed and a glossary of smocking terms. Interspersed throughout the book there are helpful hints for all the stitches and techniques, and beautiful photographs of smocked garments to inspire the reader to pick up a needle.

Reviews

This classic manual forms part of a series suitable for anyone from beginner up. Smocking is set to make a comeback and with over a thousand step-by-step photographs, you can't go wrong with this book. Every smocking stitch is shown with instructions and photos. Learn how to pleat, block and smock. Discover freeform smocking, working with ribbon or beads and much more. This is a go-to reference for smocking, how you use it and the projects you make is up to you.

Smocking is a traditional craft, its still done today the way it was in the last century, nothing new has been invented and the designs, by the very nature of the craft, have the same overall look they have always had. Of course, the fashion of the dresses to which they are applied change and the colors you might currently choose to work with might currently might be different, but the process of smocking will be the same whether you use dots or a pleater or gingham. Though this is true, even if you are advanced in this craft, there is still much that can be gleaned from this book. It is an excellent source of ideas, instructions, tips, explanations, and projects. All the projects are lovely and timeless. The instructions are clear and easy to follow.

I am an intermediate smocker and its taken me a long time to reach this level of proficiency. Im finding smocking to be one of those skills you cant just jump into: you have to practice and practice and practice. Im happy to have this book to give me the incentive to keep trying

Author Bio

Compiled by the expert team at Country Bumpkin, renowned Australian publishers of embroidery books and magazines.