Smocking

I had promised a few days ago to post something about smocking and am just getting to it today. One of the best on-line references I have found is http://www.geocities.com/Wellesley/3351/smkstch.html#list I don't know who owns this link, but Country Bumpkin must be associated with it in some way.

The picture of the smocking is of the piece I am going to use in a garment for our great great niece. She will be one year old on January 1, 2008.

I have taught several smocking classes, but am by no means an expert. I know the basics and can share them with others. I have done some piece work stitching some smocked panels, but they sent me some to do that I could not accomplish.

I remember as a child making a pillow using gingham fabric and stitching together the corners of the squares in a pattern. For anyone who doesn't have a pleater using a gingham fabric or a checked homespun can make the pleating easier.