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Post by mamatoarose on Sept 29, 2007 21:44:13 GMT -5
I love to work with my hands. So cross-stitching has become a great past time for me. I love smocked dresses and now have bought three for my daughter for this winter and summer(I put turtle necks and thick leggings on underneth them..and buy a size to big so she can grow into them). I found all of them at the thrift store..except for one. All cost around 1.00 or 2.00...with the exception of one costing 7.00 from someone online. I use to work in a children's store a few years ago and know that brand new they are 70.00..when whole sale they are only 4.00 or 5.00. Yeah, the mark up is that bad. I really couldn't bring myself to buy anything that expensive. So I would love to learn how to smock to make her some myself for next year. I will be honest I have tried my hand at regular sewing. I made her a Christmas dress last year and a matching one for her doll. They were not all that great...but, I was proud of them cause I worked so hard and did some of it by hand...instead of the machine. How can I learn smocking? What's the best way to go about it? I don't know anyone here that can teach me...so is there another way I can learn? Maybe some good books on it? I figured if I get started now I can make some really nice ones for next year and time for practice...I know I will need a lot of it! I'd appreciate any help.
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Post by keflavik on Oct 2, 2007 16:16:27 GMT -5
OH girl! I absolutely love smocking! I've even taught classes on it. In fact, I just finished up a dress this past week. I'm really surprised you can't find anyone in Alabama who does it because it is quite prevalent there. In fact, I went to Huntsville to take classes in Heirloom sewing. I suggest going to this website: www.sewbeautiful.com The Joy of Smocking is a great book to get you started with good illustrations and directions. Pleating is a big issue in smocking and if you enjoy it enough and can afford it, get yourself a pleater because it is expensive to have it done. Mine has paid for itself multiple times over. If you can cross stitch, you shouldn't have a problem learning to smock and its a lot easier on your eyes! Not to mention the items are just gorgeous when they are done. I've even seen it on socks to match the dress and have made barretts out of gross grain ribbon to smock. It is so much fun! I'm excited for you and if you weren't so far away I'd show you myself! Best of luck.
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Post by keflavik on Oct 2, 2007 16:19:53 GMT -5
Ooops. Wrong website. Try www.sewbeautifulmag.com The Martha Pullen Company puts out the Sew Beautiful magazine and that will lead you to a lot of other companies that deal in smocking and heirloom.
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Post by mamatoarose on Oct 6, 2007 22:16:47 GMT -5
Thank you for the link! I checked out a book about it from our libarary and some of the ones they had in the beginner section I thought maybe I could do. I did call one place here that I know of that does sewing things and they do not do pleating. I know we do have a place here that does smocking and they suggested I start there. I don't think they do classes. But, I figured maybe someone there that does or if theyhave a bulletin board...maybe someone would be willing to help me. So I was going to call Mon to see how much Pleating costs. I figured since I am having to do everything by hand...since my machine is down right now...I would start off on something small. Like an apron to go over a dress. I love the hair bow and socks idea. I didn't even know you could do that. How cute would that be. Maybe I can just practice on a set of her socks. I would love to be able to make her a little dress, ribbons, and socks to match. Thank you so much!
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Post by diane1220 on Nov 19, 2007 20:06:12 GMT -5
I am in lower Alabama. If you are anywhere nearby, I will be glad to teach you to smock. I even have a pleater to help you get started. I do like Martha Pullen's books even though I don't particularly like buying from her. With smocking and other heirloom clothing, I feel that the best advise is to use the very best fabric that you can afford, because hand crafted garments are true heirlooms.
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