Smocking, too

My first effort, a toddler Christmas dress.

I had been wondering when smocking was going to make its appearance on the blogs and sure enough, Alicia has recently fallen under its spell.  When Molly was little, I had a friend who taught hand smocking so of course, I jumped right in. 

I revisited the same pattern on a later Easter dress.

Considering how impressive hand smocking looks, it's actually a very simple craft, something akin to counted cross stitch.  After a couple of easy projects, I invested in a pleater, which gathers fabric into even pleats as you feed it through multiple threaded needles.  Very quick and precise, providing the perfect ground for smocking.  (I was surprised at the prices of pleaters while looking for a link...three times the price I paid *way back when*.)  You don't need to purchase a pleater, however.  Most shops that carry smocking supplies will pleat a fabric piece for a small price.

This type of pinafore is a perfect first project because it will showcase even a simple beginner smocking design and its construction is uncomplicated.  Now's the time to try it, with summer just around the corner!  (Tell me that summer is just around the corner...please.)

Sadly, by some weird quirk of nature, I couldn't continue smocking.  Despite being able to quilt, knit, cross stitch and crochet with abandon, something in the repetitive nature of smocking caused repeated flareups of tendonitis in my wrist and I sold my pleater after several years of use.  If I hadn't, it probably would've gotten carted out of here this week.  Our house was relisted yesterday and I've been totally engaged in yet more cleaning out.  What I've parted with would have seemed unimaginable just months ago but is feeling wonderful today.  I'm exhausted from it, physically and mentally, but with each boxful that I load in the back of the car, I remind myself that that's one less to unpack in Chicago.  It's made me even more excited about the move.  I did not, however, get rid of any of Molly's smocked dresses.  There is a limit.

This was my favorite of all of the dresses I made for her, maybe because it was different in tone from the cupcake-y dresses that I'd see in the children's shops.  I had a difficult time getting a nice photo of it in this winter week light, so I did a little digging while I was in the photo closet and found a better shot.  Really, how did I think I could beat this one?

The Christmas card photo, 1988

Comments

[Carole]

Those sweet little dresses make me miss the days when Hannah was little.

[Wanda]

I did smocking for my daughter too back in the 1960's. We used the McCall's and Simplicity transfers to iron the dots onto the fabric. I still have her dresses too.

[hunnybunny]

Maybe I should dig out my magazines. I picked up a bunch of Sew Beautifuls at thrift store a couple years ago and promptly gave up. I would love to smock for my younger ones. Maybe this is the inspiration I need. I'll look into dots again. Your dresses are lovely.

[Mariko]

Sooooooo cute! I have been kind of obsessed with smocking for over a year now, and I bought those Clover smocking template deals, but of course I have done NOTHING. Nada. Zip. I just sit back and admire others for doing it! I think you should get back into it. It's so gorgeous!

[Wendy]

Oh Jan, those brought back such a flood of memories! I had 4 girls to smock for, and started when pleaters came on the scene,1978? Sew Beautiful was starting, ( still have them ) and there are boxes of smocked things still in my attic, from newborn to about 3rd grade when they seem to be "too big for THAT"....I am so glad I did that for all my girls. I'm sure Molly knew she was special too as mine did, because Mom made them beautiful things. Your dresses are beautiful, hang on to them, someday there may be a granddaughter who wants to wear one too!

[Cindra]

I wondered why you had been so quiet. This time will be better.

Don't you wish little girls still dressed like this? I loved the little smock dresses. Wish my granddaughters would have worn these.

[amy]

How sweet! Yes, smocking is returning after I sold the pleater I found at an estate sale a few years ago....but I'm certain I'm ready for the return of other needlearts!

[Julie]

How wonderful! I remember my mom getting handmade smocked dresses for my sisters when they were young, but I don't remember having one. I've been very interested in smocking since I saw it show up in some Japanese mags a few months ago and wondered if those Clover things were necessary. I'll have to look into this further (says the woman who never met a craft she didn't like!)
Best of luck with the re-listing!!

[Stephanie]

I LOVEEEEEEEEEE the look of Smocking! I've never done it before but your work is beautiful!

[molly!]

Glad you held onto those! I loved that pinafore. Didn't I wear that to the big family reunion?

[Leslie]

I've never tried smocking but I love the way it looks. The dresses you made for Molly are adorable, and I'm SO glad you're hanging on to them!

[KathieB]

Oh yes, I smocked too. And those little dresses are still here somewhere deep in a box. My smocking career came to a different unhappy end--after spending a couple months working on one beautiful little dress, my daughter refused to wear it. She always did have her own mind on EVERYTHING.

[Thimbleanna]

Oh, those dresses are so pretty! I love to smock and being girl-challenged, I made my poor little boys wear smocked outfits when they were little. I'm hoping to some day have a little girl in the family to smock for. I envy your cleaning out -- I need to do a deep clean again. It doesn't take long for the piles to grow. I'm keeping my pleater though!

[Thimbleanna]

Oh, those dresses are so pretty! I love to smock and being girl-challenged, I made my poor little boys wear smocked outfits when they were little. I'm hoping to some day have a little girl in the family to smock for. I envy your cleaning out -- I need to do a deep clean again. It doesn't take long for the piles to grow. I'm keeping my pleater though!

[Tonya R]

Very sweet and what an adorable pic of your kids. Good luck with the house!

[stef]

The photo of your children juts left me speechless. So cute. And do keep the dresses, there may be grandchildren who will wear and treasure them!

[Chrissy]

I've never seen such lovely smocking. Every dress you show is perfect - I love the heart design of the first two - each of them complimented by delicious fabric.

Your children do you credit!

[Emily]

That photo is soooo wonderful!! And so are the dresses! It makes me want to go sew something for my Molly.

[gray la gran]

ooooh ... forget the pleating! but LOOK at the pleaters! they're pretty cool ... kinda wish i had one just because i like mechanical things =)

[Christine]

Oh my!! Your talent astounds me!! I'm coming back as you in my next life!!

[lisa]

Jan,

The dresses are so sweet! I have never tried smocking, but had a ton of smocked dresses groing up. Nothing like them with a pair of white tights and black patent leather maryjanes.

Best wishes with the house!

[janice]

Oh my, those dresses are absolutely beautiful!! I wish I had that talent and patience.

[Jeanne Hughes]

I love the pleats!! I've always wanted to try it, but with only a son, it has never moved to the top of my list. Jan, do you have a son? I've never heard you talk about him? J

[Jean]

The picture of the kids is cute... your girl is not to much older than my youngest. Hard to believe they grow up so fast.
One of my SIL's did a smocked dress for our youngest girl. The way she made it was she had made it to sizes larger and then you let out the hem and side seams as they grow. That way they don't grow out of all that hard work to quickly. My daughter loves it still. She hopes to have it for a daughter of her own someday.
I finally divided up my kids baby clothes to give to them and then I don't have to worry about parting with things... it's up to them now! It' a little easier for me that way.
Good luck on the clear out.
Jean

[Sheila]

Your smocking is certianly beautiful. I've always liked smocking . . . when I was a kid, when I was a mom, and now as a grandma. It's appeal remains.

[monica]

priceless!

[Liz]

I'm sorry to hear about your wrist! I manages to quilt myself right into elbow surgery a few years back, so I know how frustrated you must be. Your smocking is lovely. I've always wanted to learn, but just haven't seemed to find the time.

[Julie]

Jan, don't take this the wrong way but, (because, truly, how else can it be taken except as the highest of all possible compliments) are you my mom? At least, you've got to be cut from the same cloth.

Your smocking post brought it all back. And now, I have the dresses my mom smocked for me when I was a wee lass to put my girls in when they get a bit older.

Plus, last summer, my mom and I went to the big sewing expo in Michigan and she bought a pleater so she could doll up my girls even more. Now all I have to do is learn how to use it. :-)