Gathering Threads

Archive

Smocking Plates

    Book Review: Simplified Smocking by Helena Buehler

    Posted by on Jul 23 2010

    I picked up this interesting book, “Simplified Smocking” by Helena Buehler from Abebooks last year for a song. My copy was published in 1916; I’ve since since re-prints issued by several online sellers on Ebay and Etsy. This book is notable because while several of my Victorian-era embroidery books mention smocking among other techniques, it […]

    O Canada

    Posted by on Jun 28 2010

    It’s been a couple weeks since I’ve been able to post any thing really new beyond an article update. Between school wrap up and home renovations and four – yes, four! – Christmas articles, I’ve been swamped. I’ve finished a raft of play shorts for the boys but busy as I am haven’t had a […]

    Free Vintage Smocking Plate

    Posted by on Jun 09 2010

    I have a hodge-podge collection of vintage smocking booklets, picked up from Ebay, yardsales and friendly donations (the classic “You smock?! Here, take these!” followed by a thrusting armful of paper). Many of the designs are very basic – a few rows of cable and wave stitch in a couple of simple colours that were […]