info on Smocking Technique?
I recently found a book on sewn Smocking designs (didn't know this technique existed & have been trying to create something similar for a tanktop bodice)
:Question #1
Would the completed product be stretchy, or would it have no give? It appears in the examples that a smocked piece of material would stretch considerably, as it has lots of tight gathers...
Question #2:
Has anyone ever used this technique, & is it as difficult/time-consuming as it looks? The end result is lovely, but I really don't want it to take weeks to finish a small piece. Thanks!
Thanks you both who answered, very helpful info..I guess what I was trying to create was the elasticized bodice that is found on many types of tubetops or swimsuit cover-ups, where the entire chest area looks "smocked" but is very stretchy. I thought this technique would do it...If not, what thecnique does??
It is an old technique, from before elastic came around.
If you do it right you can control how much give there is in the piece, as each stitch has a different amount.
It is a lot of work, normally you would start with a blouse, or so, with just a small strip at the wrist or neckline, or just a small panel on the front.
How much time it really takes also depends on your work speed and how precise you are, but if you work the way it used to be done it can take a lot of time.
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