What is Hand Smocking? Before the elastic, the British developed an embroidery technique to gather fabrics in a way they would stretch. The hand-embroidered smocking had different stitches and patterns. Smocking is a type of embroidery. A delightful way of adding decorative stitches to a garment and at the same time creating some elasticity and fullness.
Smocking was also a huge part of men’s wardrobe. From the early 18th century, the smock-frock was worn by farmers and carters; by the end of that century, it had become the common outer garment of agricultural laborers of all sorts throughout England.
How to Smock?
- Mark the position of the pleats in a grid of dots. When you have marked the area to be smocked, you are ready to gather up the dots.
- Carefully pull up the running stitch at the end, two threads at a time. Evenly space the pleats, and don't pull it too tight.
- Once you have gathered and pulled up your gathers, you are ready to start embroidery on the pleats created.