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    Learning Decorative Stitches: the Art of Shirring and Smocking
    Learning Decorative Stitches: the Art of Shirring and Smocking
    Learning Decorative Stitches: the Art of Shirring and Smocking
    Ebook65 pages22 minutes

    Learning Decorative Stitches: the Art of Shirring and Smocking

    By Dueep Jyot Singh

    2.5/5

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    About this ebook

    Table of Contents

    Learning Decorative Stitches – the Art of Shirring and Smocking
    Table of Contents
    Introduction
    Gathering
    Using Cords for Gathers
    Staying a Gathered Seam
    Getting Started with Smocking
    Traditional Diamond Stitch
    Different Types of Stitches
    Cable Stitch
    Honeycomb stitch and Surface Honeycomb
    Surface Honeycomb
    Outline back stitch Also Known As Stem Stitch
    Chevron Stitch
    Wave Stitch
    Trellis stitch
    Measuring for Smocking
    Helpful Tips
    Gauging
    Machine Smocking Also Known As Shirring
    Tips for Machine Shirring
    Couching
    Fagotting
    Finishing the Smocking
    Conclusion
    Author Bio
    Publisher

    Introduction

    I was just moving around the local fabric market, when I noticed that a number of garments were embroidered with really attractive smocking stitches at the front and the back, the neck, yokes, pockets, sleeves, the bodices, necklines, bodices, cuffs, and even waists of a supposedly plain design and turn them into a thing of beauty.

    Smocking is supposed to have originated in Europe somewhere in the medieval times, where buttons could not be afforded by the laborers to fasten the garment and fullness needed to be controlled. This was done with multiple rows of gathered fabric which was controlled over a wide area.

    Nowadays, it is restricted to just babies and children’s clothing primarily, even though you can use it on any garment which needs a bit of decorative embellishment.

    Later on, smocking became a purely decorative design intended as a status symbol – the word originates from a peasants’ shirt also known as a smock.
    This was used extensively in almost every garment made by hand for laborers as well as for popular ordinary wear in the eighteenth as well as the nineteenth century.

    Smocking at that time was done with crewel needles or embroidery needles with silken threads or cotton threads depending on the fabric. You will need about 3 times the initial width’s material because of major part of it is going to be gathered up into folds, and stitched together. If you can gather the material, you can smock it.

    Naturally, this was the best way in which clothes could be “gathered together” in the absence of elastic. The fabrics on which the stitches work best are lightweight and ones that can gather easily. These include gingham, muslin, crêpe de Chine, Cashmere, Swiss cotton, voile, Batiste, cottons, and handkerchief linens.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMendon Cottage Books
    Release dateFeb 28, 2016
    ISBN9781310951145
    Learning Decorative Stitches: the Art of Shirring and Smocking

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      Book preview

      Learning Decorative Stitches - Dueep Jyot Singh

      Learning Decorative Stitches – the Art of Shirring and Smocking

      Dueep Jyot Singh

      Learning Series

      Mendon Cottage Books

      JD-Biz Publishing

      Download Free Books!

      http://MendonCottageBooks.com

      All Rights Reserved.

      No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including scanning, photocopying, or otherwise without prior written permission from JD-Biz Corp Copyright © 2016

      All Images Licensed by Fotolia and 123RF.

      Disclaimer

      The information is this book is provided for informational purposes only. The information is believed to be accurate as presented based on research by the author.

      The author or publisher is not responsible for the use or safety of any procedure or treatment mentioned in this book. The author or publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions that may exist.

      Download Free Books!

      http://MendonCottageBooks.com

      Table of Contents

      Introduction

      Gathering

      --Using Cords for Gathers

      --Staying a Gathered Seam

      Getting Started with Smocking

      --Traditional Diamond Stitch

      Different Types of Stitches

      --Cable Stitch

      --Honeycomb stitch and Surface Honeycomb

      --Surface Honeycomb

      --Outline back stitch Also Known As Stem Stitch

      --Chevron Stitch

      --Wave Stitch

      --Trellis stitch

      --Measuring for Smocking

      --Helpful Tips

      --Gauging

      --Machine Smocking Also Known As Shirring

      --Tips for Machine Shirring

      --Couching

      --Fagotting

      Finishing the Smocking

      Conclusion

      Author Bio

      Publisher

      Endnotes

      Introduction

      I was just moving around the local fabric market, when I noticed that a number of garments were embroidered with really attractive smocking stitches at the front and the back, the neck, yokes, pockets, sleeves, the bodices, necklines, bodices, cuffs, and even waists of a supposedly plain design and turn them into a thing of beauty.

      Smocking is supposed to have originated in

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