What to Smock?
Decisions, decisions, decisions. What to choose to smock?
We offer patterns for smocking in all shapes and sizes of people and things they like. If you have some time look through our Patterns by Category, meanwhile here are some suggestions.
Girls
For little girls there are 3 basic styles of smocked dresses for girls that you can make over and over again using different fabrics and laces, designs and embroideries. The first is the Basic Square yoke (pattern designers: Chery Williams, Ellen McCarn, Pat Garretson, Collars Etc, & more)
Pat Garretson's Basic Square Yoke Dress
For example here is Pat Garretson's Basic Square Yoke pattern which shows a lot of the variations possible (except the full bodice)
Basic Square Yoke - Smocking comes down from the yoke on either just the front or on the back as well
Variations:
The full bodice
Sleeve treatment variations
Long, short, angel wings, smocked, heirloom sewing techniques
Next is the Bishop - a raglan sleeve dress with a smocked round neckline with all the variations of sleeve treatments, fabric choices and designs you will be smocking this style for a long time, until the child you are smocking for rebels against wearing any smocking - then it's time for smocked nightgowns. Dresses, bubbles & jumpsuits are popular in the bishop style.
Pat Garretson's Bishop
Next is the Round Yoke Dress
The round yoke dress is similar to the bishop but has a round yoke from which the smocking hangs gracefully off the shoulders. The yoke can also be embroidered. Dresses, bubbles and jumpsuits are popular in this style.
Chery Williams Round Yoke Bubble
Dropwaist for older girls
The smocking can either be on a round collar or at the waistline. A very flattering look for the older girl who loves smocking but is too old for the basic yoke or bishop dress.
Choosing a design for these depends upon how many rows you want to smock
On the average most smocking designs range from 7 to 9 rows. The rule of thumb is that you don't want to overwhelm your child with the smocking no matter how much your creativity demands it.
For little boys there is the button-on suit also known as the john-john suit or jumpsuits/overalls. The insert across the chest has plenty of room for picture smocking trains and cars and other things little boys love. You have a window of about 4-5 years to smock for your boy as after that age they tend to think smocking is sissy, but rejoice! You can smock pjs for them without complaints as only you and their dreams will see.
B & B Blueprints Franklin
If you don't have a child to smock for there are always pillows and purses and nightgowns to make for yourself (Ellen McCarn's Smocked Pillow, Kathy Awender's Smocker's Tote, Grace Knott's Snowdrift)
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Appliques
Battenburg Lace
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