Gathering Threads

Welcome

Smocking, Sewing and Creative Musings...

  • Smocking

  • Heirloom Sewing

  • Embroidery

Welcome to Gathering Threads, my blog about sewing, smocking and fabric obsessions.  If you’re like me, and are happiest with a piece of fabric in your hand, please come on in and make yourself at home.

My name’s Claire and I love talking about my love of handwork, smocking and quilting.  This blog is my way of sharing what I do with fellow creative souls – I won’t promise it’ll always be pretty, but it will be honest, informative and hopefully inspiring!

About Claire

Roses in my garden

Claire

I’m an ardent (and self-taught) sewer and smocker who enjoys vintage sewing, embroidery and general ‘making of pretty stuff’.  A college instructor by day, teaching film and literature, I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts, a Masters degree in Comparative Literature and Arts and in 2013, began a PhD in English that. I’ve been crafting and sewing as long as I can remember and my Barbies were always very well dressed.  My work and designs have been published in magazines including Sew News, Threads, Sew Beautiful, Create and Decorate, A Needle Pulling Thread, Crafts n Things and more.

I love sewing and embroidery: smocking, hand embroidery cross-stitch are some of my favourite techniques. I enjoy drafting patterns and copying vintage garments, too. I’ve also started branching out into quilting.  Here, on my personal blog, I share my successes, my frustrations and my creative process!  Sometimes, it’s pretty; sometimes, it ain’t!

I live in Hamilton, Ontario with my husband and two young boys where I blog, sew, and generally avoid the housework unless absolutely necessary.

Eye Candy

The best of...

  • Grace Knott Updated

    Grace Knott design with herringbone basket Link

  • Lace Smocking

    A Smocked lace sampler with free plate Link

  • Tone on Tone Smocking

    Bullion roses, long sleeves and tone on tone smocking Link

  • Spring Bouquet and Applique

    Batik flowers with machine applique Link

  • Pieced Quilting

    Plaid Stars quilt top Link

  • Smocking Tutorial

    Blocking Smocked Yokes with Freezer Paper Link

  • Aunt Grace’s Garden

    Depression Era Fabrics, modern tools! Link

  • Vintage Patterns

    A Summer Dress with Vintage Flair Link

  • Pleater Maintenance

    An easy-to-follow tutorial for maintaining your pleater Link

How To Reach Me

Questions? Comments? Kudos? I love talking to smockers and sewers about all things fabric, so please, say hi!

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