Smocking

Well, I'm still plugging along with my soft sculpture, the plans have changed so much that I decided to just go for it and start her face. I got impatient waiting for the eyes to arrive in the mail and maybe that wasn't a bad thing since the eyes wouldn't work anyway, they are too big. Anyhow, I'm sort of sticking to the pattern except the attire is not part of the deal, the author fancied her doll in a pretty smocked dress she'd made for her granddaughter and causally stated a vintage dress can be located at a local thrift store. Nah, least I can't locate a cute little girly gown. So with that in mind...I decided to make my own custom smocked dress. It sound much more difficult than it is but it's really kind of simple. Using a straight edge you mark a series of dots on the back of your fabric, be careful to measure spacing, both vertical and horizontal.

Using the same color thread as the garment, you do a running stitch with long and shorts, the short will be under the dots.

Usually you will need a even amount of rows but it doesn't really matter, the only time it would be a problem is if you smock with a certain amount of rows on your pattern. I've used six rows here.

When all your rows are evenly stitched you will have to grasp the ending threads in one hand and using the same amount of tension on each thread, pull, gathering each row at the same time.
I actually ironed my pleats because for me, it makes the last step easier. The smocking.

I picked the outline stitch because it's the most simplest to sew. Basically it's looping over 2 pleats, reversing on the backside to stitch up thru one pleat, coming out under your loop, repeat. It's really easy and although all your fingers need to be doing something all at one time, it's worth it but a bit cumbersome.

My fabric is a rust color although on my monitor it looks orange. C&G Design

Words and photos by Dawn,

C&G Design.