Smocking is an technique of embroidery where fabric is gathered and stitched, so that it can stretch. Before the invention of elastic, smocking technique was used in womens garments where buttons were not suitable. Smocking embroidery technique was commonly used in necklines, cuffs and bodices to add a decorative appeal to the outfit. The famous embroidery method looks fabulous on fitted dresses and makes them flexible. A pleating machine is also used by some home smockers which uses gears and pleater needles for stitching.
Materials Required For Smocking Embroidery
Smocking requires stitching the fabric after gathering it, hence, the fabric chosen should be lightweight with a stable weave. A lightweight fabric will gather well and give the best results, such as cotton and silk. Crewel embroidery needle is best suited for working this embroidery technique in cotton and silk thread.
The dimensions of the fabric should be minimized to one-third of its width, before the garment is ensembled for stitching. It may not be easy for a beginner to get the right stitches in the first attempt, so to get a perfect smocking stitch, it is recommended to work on a piece of fabric for practice. The tightness of the stitch varies with the fabric specially a thick fabric.
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