How to Diamond Smock a Fabric
Smocking is a decorative stitching technique traditionally used in christening gowns, baby clothes and other heirloom garments. Some methods of smocking use expensive smocking pleater machines but others, like diamond smocking, don't require any special equipment or preparation.
Instructions
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1
Mark out the section of fabric to be smocked. The fabric section should be at three times wider than the planned finished width.
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2
Iron the smocking dot transfer to the right side of the fabric to cover the section that will be smocked. Let the fabric cool thoroughly before you start to stitch.
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3
Thread the needle with a single strand and knot the end. Bring the needle up from the back of the fabric through the second dot in the top row of the section to be smocked.
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4
Take the needle down through the top of the dot diagonally left and down from where you started. Bring the needle back up through the bottom of the same dot. Take the needle down through the left side of the next dot down and to the right. Bring it back up through the right side of the same dot. Take the needle down through the bottom of the next dot upward and to the right. Bring it back up through the top of the same dot. Take the needle down through the dot upward and to the left, which is the dot that you began with.
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5
Turn the fabric over and draw the thread tight until the four points of the diamond pull together. Knot the thread tightly and snip.
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6
Beginning two dots to the right of where you began the last diamond, repeat steps 4 and 5 until the fabric is completely smocked.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not iron smocked fabric. If you need to freshen a smocked section of fabric, use an iron on high steam setting and hover the iron over the fabric, letting the steam saturate it. Tug the edges of the smocked section to straighten it and then hang to cool and dry.
References
Resources
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