I Taught Myself to Smock

For years I would dream and talk about learning to smock so that I could make my little girl all those cutesy dresses that I couldn't afford.  Well my little girl is now becoming a big girl and almost too big, but not quite yet for smocked dresses and I have another little girl to sew for too. I just never could seem to find that round -to-it and honestly is seemed a bit daunting and hard to learn or at least that's what I thought.  Thanks to my sister teaching herself and telling me I'd love it and it wasn't as hard as I thought I have finally done it.  No special equipment needed. The thought of needing a pleater was probably one of the biggest things holding me back. Do you know how expensive they are?

On to the goodies.  Here is a pic of my first smocked project.  I made a dress and sandals for my little girl.

I think I'm allergic to starting out simple. I did not have a smocked dress pattern so I adjusted a regular pattern I already had.  I made up the pattern for the sandals. If I get brave I may do up a tutorial for them shortly.

I taught myself to smock with google, pinterest and youtube.  Here are some of the links I used.
Mary Grace Designs: (click the picture)

Source: mariegracedesigns.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Smocking plate that I used. I adjusted it to fit a smaller dress top.

Source: countrybumpkin.com.au via Stephanie on Pinterest

Here is a link to my smocking board on pinterest.  My next smocked project will be matching dresses (maybe bishop style) for both of my girls.  I'm thinking Christmas or maybe Easter.  My projects take a lot longer with my little one. ;-)  I am so glad that I finally learned to smock and I wish I would have done it sooner.
And now for some more pics!

Ruffle Butt