Gathering Threads

Archive

Smocking

    Tutorial: Designing Geometric Smocking Plates in Illustrator Pt 3

    Posted by on Aug 13 2011

    This is the third part of my tutorial on designing geometric smocking plates.   For the first two parts, including the illustrator file you’ll need to complete this tutorial, click here and here. If you haven’t completed the first two tutorials, you’ll want to practice and complete them first before tackling the final tutorial on […]

    Dolly and Me à la Jerry

    Posted by on Aug 05 2011

    I tend to be fairly conservative in my fabric choices. Can’t help it. Just am. Usually, I’m a one main fabric, small accent colour on the piping and collar kinda girl. Sometimes, I’ll use a bolder fabric or a big print but very rarely do I mix and match prints with impunity. They either look […]

    Tutorial: Designing Geometric Smocking Plates in Illustrator Pt 2

    Posted by on Jul 16 2011

    This is part 2 of 3 of how to use Adobe Illustrator to create smocking plates. You’ll find the first part of this tutorial on designing geometric smocking plates here. 24.  Select the “4 Step Full Space Trellis” from the symbols and place it in the middle of the graph between rows 4-5. 25.  Switch […]

    Tutorial: Blocking Smocked Yokes with Freezer Paper

    Posted by on Jun 15 2011

    The moment that always scares me when I’m making a smocked dress always comes when I’ve got to cut away my smocking for the armholes. Typically, the instructions say something like. “Block smocking. Trace armholes using pattern guide. Zig-zag inside the tracing. Cut.” Sounds easy enough.   How hard can it be?  Well, smocking is […]

    A New Project Underway

    Posted by on Jun 09 2011

    Now that soccer season has started and I’ve got two boys playing this year, I’ve started another smocking project to keep my hands occupied on the sidelines. I know, I know, what kind of a parent smocks during the game? Who am I, daring to look away from all the scintillating action of 12 five […]