A guide to smocking for the modern sewist
Rocking Smocking is a contemporary guide to using joyful colour and bold graphic pattern to create smocking that adds a beautiful decorative touch to handmade garments.
This image-led, modern guide is suited to both smocking learners and experts as well as lovers of colours and patterns. Offering both instruction and inspiration this fashion-forward guide walks you through the basics of English smocking and offers a kaleidoscope of ideas for how to bring these hand stitches to life by combining thread colours, stitch motifs, and dramatic smocking placement to fabulous effect.
It starts by setting out the basics of smocking—what you will need, how to choose and prepare fabric, and basic stitches. The second section lays out different strategies for choosing thread colours, while the third section goes through the design process: using 10 smocking panels to replicate at home, it shows readers how to rock their smocks by blending fabrics, smocking patterns, and colours to sensational graphic effect. The final section looks at how and where to place smocked panels on your garments, adding volume to dramatic effect with 6 smaller on-trend fashion projects.
Equally appealing on the coffee table or in the studio, Rocking Smocking is a visually beautiful guide celebrating modern applications of this ancient craft.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER ONE: THE CRAFT
CHAPTER TWO: COLOR CHOICES
CHAPTER THREE: DESIGNS
CHAPTER THREE: DESIGNS
COLOR WHEEL, INDEX AND CREDITS
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About Laura Burch
Laura Burch and Kajsa Mclaren are lifelong friends who launched their brand Smock London in 2019. They met at Oxford University, where they bonded over their shared passion for design, craftmanship, and colour. They modernize the beautiful craft of smocking for the 21st century through a combination of bright, bold, and original smocking design.
About Kajsa Mclaren
Laura Burch and Kajsa Mclaren are lifelong friends who launched their brand Smock London in 2019. They met at Oxford University, where they bonded over their shared passion for design, craftmanship, and colour. They modernize the beautiful craft of smocking for the 21st century through a combination of bright, bold, and original smocking design.
Issue 147
A modern and visually appealing guide that offers both instruction and inspiration for those interested in English smocking. The book covers the basics of smocking, fabric preparation and basic stitches. It also provides different strategies for choosing thread colours and explains the design process. The book includes 10 smocking panels that readers can replicate at home to achieve sensational effects. It includes six smaller on-trend fashion projects that demonstrate how and where to place smocked panels on garments to add volume and drama. Whatever your project aspirations, Rocking Smocking is a visually beautiful guide celebrating modern applications of this traditional craft.
Issue 406
Rocking Smocking shows how to use vibrant colours and graphic patterns to create stunning garments. Suitable for beginners and experts alike, there are instructions and inspiration for English smocking basics, thread colour selection and design processes. Learn how to experiment with blending fabrics, stitch motifs and colours to achieve spectacular graphic effects.
