Smocking Book Part 1 with Sample

Debbie Shore

Canadian Smocking Techniques & Patterns

Modern Smocking

PART 2

2Copyright Vivebooks 2013

Vivebooks, an imprint of Rainbow Disks Ltdwww.vivebooks.com

5 Linden ValeHowell RoadExeter EX4 4LFUK

First published in the UK in 2013

Text and projects Debbie Shore 2013Photographs & Video Garie Hind 2013

Video by Garie HindEditor: Vivienne WellsPhotography: Garie Hind

ISBN 978-1-906314-54-5ISBN 978-1-906314-55-2 (download)

Debbie Shore has asserted her right to be identified as author of this work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be repro-duced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, by photocopying, record-ing or otherwise, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 978-1-906314-54-5ISBN 978-1-906314-55-2 (download)

VIVEBOOKSwww.vivebooks.com

Go by the bookBy buying our ebooks, you are help-ing us to pay authors a fair income for their very hard work. Please note that copying this ebook for your friends is strictly against the law. So, don't be a book cheat stay within the law and buy them their own copy!

These patterns/designs are for your personal use only, or for the pur-poses of selling for charity. They cannot be used for commercial pu-poses without the prior permission of the Publishers.

Thank youVivienne WellsVivebooks

Contents

3

Contents 3

Using this ebook: tips 4

Introduction 5

Shells 9

Lozenge 13

Diamonds 17

Bows 21

Four-point 27

Giftwrap 36

Windmill 41

Debbie Shore 46

More Vivebooks 47

To go to chapters or projects, click on the headings here, use the Bookmark links (click on the icon at the top left of the Adobe Read-er window) or scroll through the page Thumbnails (click on the icon next to the Bookmarks).

caption From the top: Diamonds, Four-point Flower,Giftwrap,Windmill and Bows

Using this ebook: t ips

4

Browsethroughthisebookbyscrollingthroughthe pages as with any document, or by using theAdobeReaderBookmarks(likeaninteractivecon-tentslist)andpageThumbnails-theywilltakeyouquickly to the chapter, project or page you needwhenyouclickon thatpageorproject in the list.These Bookmarks and Thumbnails are activatedby clicking on their icons (looking like tiny pag-es) at the top left of yourAdobeReaderwindow.

TheContents listonpage3 isalso interactive.Clickonanyofthechaptersinthelisttogotothatpage.

Uselinkstogodirectlytootherpageswithinthisebookortowebpages.Clickonthelinks,showninblue,eg:DebbieShore'sblog.IfyouclickonthebluetextitwilltakeyoutoKatie'swebsite,whenyouareconnectedtotheInternet.

Sothatyoucanquicklyfindthepageyouwerelast viewing, activate the 'PreviousView' and 'NextView'buttonsonyourtoolbar,toactliketheBackand Forward button on your Internet browser.Right-click/Control-click the toolbar, go to MoreToolsandselectthesetoolsbyclickingtheirboxes.

Use the zoom tool to zoom in on close-updetails in photographs, and see the beadworkgreatly enlarged. Activate the 'Marquee zoom' todrag a box around the area you want to enlarge.

Printoutpagesforeasyandportablereference.Eachprojectgivesthepagenumbersforthatproject,soyouknowwhichpagestoprintout.Whenprintingouttemplates,makesurethatyouswitchoffany'shrinkto fit' or similar commands in your print dialogueboxtoavoidchangingthesizeofthetemplates.ThepagesprintoutwellonA4andUSLetterpapersizes.

Usethesearchfacilitytofindspecificwords.

To play a video, click on its image. YoumaybedirectedtodownloadandinstallFlashplayer- if so, do this. Wait a few seconds for the videotostart.Acontrollerwillappearunderneathsothatyoucanplay/start/stopetc.Toclosethevideoandgobacktothepages,clickonthetoprightcornerofthevideoscreen.

CopythePDFfiletoyourcomputer'sharddisk,ifyouboughtitonadiskitwillworkfasterfromthere.Ifyouhaveanyproblemsprintingfromthisfileorviewingthevideo,thefirstthingtotryisdown-loading and installing the latest version ofAdobeReader(evenifyoualreadyhavethelatestversion).

OniPhone,iPad,AndroiddevicesandKindleFire,currentlythebestpdfreaderisezPDFReader,whichwill play the embedded video (Adobe Reader forthesedeviceswillnotplay theembeddedvideo,attimeofpublicationofthisebook).Formoreinforma-tion,seewww.vivebooks.com

Introduction

Many countries have claimed this type of smock-ing, but the term 'Canadian smocking' seems to be the most well known, followed by North American. In Brazil, its called capitone. Popular in the 1950s and 60s, Canadian smocking is currently creating a lot of interest worldwide so is set to make a long awaited comeback.

Assuming you have Part 1 of this ebook, you have learned the main techniques. So now is the time to experiment with different types of fabric, and use your new skills in bag making and even clothing. Soft denim works well for a modern, young look. Try ticking or linen to keep it contemporary. Add

tassels and fringes to bring a touch of extravagance to your work; beads and buttons are fun too!

You could also try making your grids smaller or larger, or even mixing the two together. Basically, there are no rules, so be your own designer and enjoy the results.

In this ebook (Parts 1 and 2), Ive put together fifteen smocking patterns for you to try, plus in-structions for the Matrix Round Cushion (Part 1), which should play a starring role in your dis-play of smocked cushion covers. You will also find detailed instructions for a simple zipped cushion

5

6introduction

cover (Part 1). There are videos showing me dem-onstrating the techniques which I hope will guide you through and give you confidence. (See the video introduction overleaf.) There is even a video showing what to do if you make a mistake in your smocking. The pattern grids can be printed out on your home printer for easy use.

I have taken away the jargon and the mathematics so that even a complete beginner can use this ebook to master the techniques of smocking. And as most people want to make cushion (pillow) covers, I have given you two different sizes of cushion to work with.

When you are used to the methods, experiment with different fabrics, mix designs together, and ap-ply the technique to anything from dressmaking to curtains! Please dont think these are quick sewing projects, some of the more complex designs like the Bows can take around six hours to complete.If you would like more help or information, see my blog or my forum: Short Cuts to Sewing.

Debbie

http://debbieshore.blogspot.co.uk/ http://www.shortcutstosewing.co.uk/

Matrix Round Cushion. The plain but thick textured fabric is ideal for showing off the pleats and folds. This is the first smocked cushion I ever made; it is featured in Part 1.

As we were putting this ebook to-gether it became clear that the large amount of video (well over 1 hour in total) would create a file that was go-ing to be rather large for downloading. So, it has become a pair of ebooks:

Modern Smocking Part 1 and Modern Smocking Part 2.

This is Part 2. The basic techniques and detailed instructions (with lots more patterns) are contained in Part 1, so I strongly recommend that you start with Part 1 before tackling the pro-jects in this volume.

7introduction

Video: Introduction by Debbie Shore

Smocking on gingham fabric: this is the Four-point Flower pattern.

8Matrix cushion from Part 1

Smocking patterns from Part 1. From the top: Lattice, Cobblestones, Leaf, Bones and Waves

Part 1 is available as a download from www.vivebooks.com.

99

Shel ls

Shells smocking

Fabric needs/grid sizes (1in squares)

16in cushion cover: grid 21 across x 24 down

12in cushion cover: grid 15 across x 18 down

Add at least 6in to these lengths to allow for a border and seam allowance. NB Different fabrics give different finished sizes if in doubt smock a larger area!

Shells is another pattern that comes together quite quickly, looking equally stylish in velvet, taffeta or suedette. Heavier fabrics that keep their shape are well suited to this design, so I like to use it for upholstery projects such as this chair and the headboard overleaf. It does also make a classic smocked cushion cover.

1313

Lozenge

Lozenge smocking


16in cushion cover: grid 14 x 28


Add at least 6in to these lengths to allow for a border and seam allowance. NB Different fab-rics give different finished sizes if in doubt smock a larger area!

Lozenge has a unique, con-temporary feel; simple and stylish. Id maybe try this on a scarf in a lightweight silk

This is an extreme example of a design that doesn't reduce evenly; in fact, one side reduces by half while the other hardly changes.

2121

Bows

Bows smocking




Add at least 6in to these lengths to allow for a border and seam allowance. NB Different fabrics give differ-ent finished sizes if in doubt smock a larger area!

You can see how this design got its name! Its a time consuming piece of work but well worth the effort the little beads in the centre of each bow really make a difference.

The fabric reduces by half equally on all sides, so its quite easy to work out how much fabric you need for other projects.

2727

Four-pointThis design is the most versatile of all of the smocking techniques. When looking at the stitched side of the fabric you see a four-petalled flower, as in this cushion, but from the reverse side it looks like tiles (see Four-point Tile). Open up the tiles to reveal a larger flower, and press open to make ribbon and bows!

In the video I show a couple of ide-as for using this pattern on gingham and plaid fabrics.

Debbie Shore

46

Debbie Shore is a sewing author, actress and presenter for Create and Craft TV. She writes a regular column for a popular UK sewing magazine and produces her own range of instructional DVDs. Her sewing tutori-als on YouTube have thousands of subscribers. Debbies previous books include the bestselling Making Cushion Covers, and the recently published Half Yard Heaven and Sew Bunting. Contact Debbie via her blog or her forum, Short Cut to Sewing, or subscribe to her YouTube channel:

http://www.youtube.com/user/thimblelane

http://debbieshore.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.shortcutstosewing.co.uk/

More Vivebooks

Title pageCopyright pageContentsUsing this ebook: tipsIntroductionShellsLozengeDiamondsBowsFour-pointGiftwrapWindmillDebbie ShoreMore Vivebooks

Documents

Smocking Book Part 1 with Sample