I'm not sure where I have to go to introduce myself on this forum as this is my first post. I'm actually glad I hopped on as it only feels good to be able to help someone out.
I am a smocker and have been now for ten years - started by making a dress for my then almost 3 year old niece and graduated on to create pretty things for my daughter (and also my son).
I would really recommend hopping onto the Country Bumpkin website - just google Country Bumpkin and have a look around. This is the home of Australian Smocking and Embroidery magazine of which I am a subscriber. The staff are super friendly and helpful and will certainly point you in the right direction and may even recommend a teacher in your area if that is possible for them. You are able to access single copies of this magazine through their website as they now no longer sell them in newsagents. There is a book that is very handy for an absolute beginner put out by Country Bumpkin called "The A-Z of Smocking". It shows you everything you need to know about this type of needlework right down to how to prepare the fabric to pleat and the types of stitches that can be used to make a design.
I would recommend this to get you started. A pleater is very handy. I made my first dress using Grace Knott's Dots which were iron on and very fiddly. I would recommend getting a pleater only if you plan to do quite a bit of smocking as they can be quite expensive depending on the individual budget. Again I would ask the ladies at Country Bumpkin all about this (or your local shop that sells pleaters of course).
It is a great technique to do especially if you are a busy parent and seeing a little one dressed in a smocked outfit is joyful to see. I hope you do take up the challenge of learning and I will be only too willing to help out in the future should you need a hand.
Thank you so much, I'm glad you took the plunge in here first. I'd love some pointers and tips when I get started.. my motivation has slipped a bit after I showed DD the fabric I picked up for the first project and she rejected it! Not sure I want to spend time working on something that will end up on the hanger - although that is always the danger of anything handmade with little one's who have opinions! I'm taking DD to choose fabric next time and then should be good to go!
Off to check out your website recommendations, in the meantime, here is a link to get you directly to the introduction page so you can meet the rest of the lovely people here!
You can always use the fabric you purchased for either samples or for another outfit maybe not for your dd? My own dd gets fussy from time to time about what fabric/ dress I make for her. Don't let that deter you though. Having her involved in the process will urge her to be enthusiastic to wear it once it is complete. The biggest thrill is to hear your child say "My mummy made this for me."
Hope you find the site interesting and informative and thanks so much for sending through the link.
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Smocking - any tips?
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