HOW-TO

Rocking Smocking: A Guide to Smocking for the Modern Sewist

by Laura Burch & Kajsa McLaren

Search Pr. Apr. 2024. 128p. ISBN 9781800922235. pap. $19.95. CRAFTS

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Burch and McLaren are smocking experts and the founders of Smock London, an artisan fashion brand. Their colorful, modern aesthetic comes through in this thorough and beautifully illustrated guide to English smocking, an embroidered stitching technique worked on pleated fabric. Suitable for beginners but also inspiring for advanced sewists, this book starts with the basics. It covers learning fundamental stitches, choosing and preparing fabric, and picking thread colors for visual impact. The book’s 13 smocking designs range from simple to complex. There are plenty of pictures that show the best areas to place smocking features on a garment, too. The final section goes through the entire process step-by-step. The layout is well organized, accessible, and easy to follow.

VERDICT An engaging book that combines clear instructions with detailed photographs of colorful garments created with the English smocking technique. For a modern makers of all levels who love a classic art form.

Reviewed by Melanie Kindrachuk , Jul 01, 2024

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