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SmockingWormtongue is the only one we've got smocking on that we know of. But it's another fun decoration. Where one Rohim has smocking, there are probably others. General smocking notes, smocking pleaters, blocking, etc.Geometrics should be worked with 3 strands of floss and the smocking is started in the center and worked to the right, then flipped and worked from the center back out to have the stitches and tension correct. As much as I think everyone should have a smocking pleater in their sewing room--they are a bit of an investment for one tiny portion of a costume ($100 and up usually) So , I would highly recommend purchasing a pre-pleated insert--Saves a step--nice and affordable and plenty big enough for that piece of the costume. Sewing Studio (1-800-831-1492) carries pre-pleated pieces in many colors and in either Batiste or Broadcloth (both nice quality Spechler Vogel fabric) the inserts are $4.00 and they will mail order them. Before smocking the piece will need to be "blocked" meaning you pull the pleated fabric to the desired length you need and evenly distribute the pleats. Tie of the pleating threads on one side by double knotting the row threads each to the next. Once you have the piece to the proper length and the the pleats distributed--You will need to count the pleats and make sure you have an even number--Mark the center "valley" with a piece of floss by going up and down the row threads. If you have an odd # of pleats pull one out. Figure out how wide you need the piece and make sure you have an extra row at the top and bottom--these are backsmocked and "set" the shape. Once the piece is stretched and pleats organized, center marked. Tie off the other end. Keep the piece flat and pin it down to your ironing board. Spray it with spray starch and then steam is with your iron. Let dry. This is very important--and will set the size and pleats. Here's a "smocking plate" which is sort of your pattern for smocking. They run around $3 (and you can get them all the time on ebay) I might have to study the Wormtongue costume to tell you an *exact* plate--but here's an example--It gives you floss color recommendations, and tell you exactly how many, what type and where to put each stitch. Also Marth Pullen's book "the Joy of Smocking" is an invaluable resource for smocking. Very basic level instructions, and stitch break downs, and several plates included. == Ferd Back smockingUsually just the skipped rows and holding rows are backsmocked not the whole piece--Back smocking does hold the pleats, but will lose the elasticity of the smocking which is very important for a neck area :) == Ferd
This page was last updated 04/22/08 |
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