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Member since 7/13/10
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Posted on: 4/26/20 12:26 PM ET
I am getting back into smocking now that my daughters are talking about having children (I do have a grandson) and I am making some little girl and baby garments and really enjoy it.

I am wondering, because I’ve seen it both ways, which is the easiest/most preferable way to do the smocking-before construction of the garment or after as much of the garment is already sewn together.

Thoughts?

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Member since 11/28/13
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Posted on: 4/26/20 1:23 PM ET
In reply to Bobbinnoli
I've only done smocking samples as opposed to full garments, but my understanding is that it's best to smock (Is that the term?) the fabric first and then to overlay the pattern piece and cut it out with large seam allowances. Then the garment is constructed.
  
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Posted on: 4/26/20 4:03 PM ET
It's been a very long time, but my memory of my mother's smocking is that she smocked the cut-out pattern piece before construction. This was hand smocking, and the pattern was designed for smocking.
  
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Posted on: 4/26/20 4:10 PM ET
Yes, my mom made smocked things for her 2 granddaughters. The patterns she used had a stay piece that fit under the smocking. She would have the fabric “pleated“ to the needed dimension, do the hand smocking And was able to check the width of the piece against the stay.

Garment construction always followed the smocking
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Posted on: 4/26/20 6:00 PM ET
I do my garments smocked before construction. Some prefer otherwise. In the end it really doesn't matter. Smocking blanks are sold, completely constructed so the sewist can just smock them and be done with it. I have a friend who makes little dresses and when she needs something for a baby shower or event she pulls one out and smocks it for the giftee. She is an amazing smocker and teacher. It really is one of those things that is as you prefer to do it. Enjoy the process whatever it is.

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Posted on: 4/26/20 11:46 PM ET
As others have said, smocking can be done before or after construction. My preference is to do it before putting the garment together. I like the fact that I can have a purse project for easy carry. I also prefer to enclose the thread ends in the seam allowance or within the binding depending on the use.

I like to prewash my finished smocking to set the stitches. I don't like to wash a finished garment. Tiny cotton lace and puff sleeves lose some of the 'new' look even though the fabric and lace was also prewashed.

Last, but not least, is the fact that sometimes that adorable smocking plate photograph just didn't convey the real life look. Are those ducks? Chicks? Dandelions???? LOL
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Posted on: 4/27/20 4:43 AM ET
I hate to smock ( especially a bishop style ) after the garment has been constructed, though some people do it that way. I prefer to do with nice tight pleats because my smocked stitches tend to be loose anyway. For straight strips of smocking, it doesn’t matter so much, but it still for me depends on the garment.
  
Member since 1/2/10
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Posted on: 4/27/20 7:31 AM ET
I smock and actually prefer to do it after it's constructed. There's nothing worse than to put all that time in a garment and end up w/ a turtle neck looking bishop. If the neckline is completely finished before smocking it won't get stretch out or cinched in with your stitches. Maybe I'm not as good a snickers as others but I want to know that it will be molded correctly if I've spent so much time embellishing it.
  
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Posted on: 4/27/20 7:59 AM ET
I haven't smocked for a while but I always smocked first.
My sister in law is a wonderful smocker but did not like the construction so I always did her sewing too. Shocking first mention that I could block the finished work to the right size and shape. My grand daughter is 11 now so I probably won't be doing anymore.
Now I need to find some one to appreciate and use all of my patterns etc
-- Edited on 4/27/20 at 12:53 PM --
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Member since 7/13/10
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Posted on: 4/27/20 1:41 PM ET
Thank you all for your recommendations! I’ve been smocking first but have seen videos/posts of experienced smockers who say they try to have as much construction done first. I’ll probably continue to do it this way except for maybe bishops. I can see where construction first might be preferable there.

Of all my hobbies, I think I get the most satisfaction out of making a smocked garment for a little one. Come on granddaughters!
  
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