A few weeks ago our local Spotlight store had a sale on sewing patterns and I bought three. One of the patterns was a Vogue pattern at a ridiculously low price, one that I couldn’t go past, and as this was the only child’s pattern that appealed to me so I bought it.
You can see in the background the reverse side of the fabric I selected to make the dress for my youngest granddaughter.
I didn’t realise that I would have to transfer all the dots to the fabric in order to do the smocking. I don’t own a smocking machine and I am not likely to now.
This is what a smocking machine looks like. Obviously it would only take a few minutes to pleat the fabric whereas it took me several hours by hand.
I thought I had carbon paper for transferring the dots but I only had white and that wouldn’t show up on the fabric so I had to go and buy some new dressmakers’ carbon.
You can see from the photo how old my carbon paper was compared to the new one.
I set about transferring all the dots, what a job that was.
I then had to sew all the gathering threads,
and pull up the gathers to fit the paper pattern of the yoke.
Now I have all that bit done I can start on the actual smocking. It would need to be a terrific result after all this work. I hope I don’t make any mistakes.
The only smocking I have done before was way back in 1967 when I smocked the yokes on my younger sister’s and my bridesmaids’ dresses for my elder sister’s wedding. It was nowhere near as complicated as what I am doing at the moment.
My how fashions change.
Gippsland Granny 
I did a double take when I saw your carbon paper packet (the old one) as my mum gave me one just the same last year. 😊 your smocking is looking lovely, I don’t think I’d have the patience.
I just hope the embroidery part turns out ok.
Your mum is probably of my vintage. 🙂
I love smocking! A smocking machine, I have never heard of it.
I have no idea how much they cost but you would need to be doing lots of smocking to make it worthwhile.
Not likely I would but love the idea. 👍
who is that gorgeous looking girl modelling the dress? she looks familiar! Me thinks she hasn’t changed much,
JS
Thank you. That time has gone so quickly.
Fantastic patience Heather. The bridesmaids dresses were awesome too!
I remember the beautiful colours of the Thai silk.
Wow, this post struck a chord! Last time I did smocking was a christening robe in 1980. I’m impressed your grand-daughter will wear a flowery smocked dress, mine is 8 and would never, although knitted items have been received with approval! Looks like you’ve been sewing as long as I have too. I really enjoy your blog, thank you.
Hi Jennifer, Thank you so much for your comment. My granddaughter is only two so she is not too picky about what she wears, no doubt that will happen eventually.
Heather
Wow that’s quite the process! You did a lovely job though! Love the “vintage” dress! 😃👍
Thank you Linda. I hope the embroidery turns out ok.