I began
smocking in 1980, when my daughter Lucy was born. She gave me a great incentive to
learn and I went to classes when she was only weeks old! My interest in smocking
has grown from being a hobby to a full time occupation.Introduction to House of Smocking
I began
smocking in 1980, when my daughter Lucy was born. She gave me a great incentive to
learn and I went to classes when she was only weeks old! My interest in smocking
has grown from being a hobby to a full time occupation.
Smocking is embroidery on top of pleats. The first stage is to gather the fabric. This can be done by applying rows of smocking transfer dots to the wrong side of the fabric. The dots are then picked up with a needle threaded with strong gathering thread, placing the needle into one side of the dot and coming out with the needle on the opposite side of the same dot. Once all the rows of dots have been picked up, the fabric is drawn up to produce gathers or pleats. Fabric can also be gathered using a Smocking Pleater. This is a hand operated machine with four interlocking rollers which are grooved and hold needles. Pleating is done accurately in a matter of minutes, saving a huge amount of time. Once the pleating is done the smocking can begin.
House of Smocking was born in 1985, starting with smocking classes for beginners. These were popular, but I found that the newly fledged smockers were frustrated at being unable to find the smocking supplies they wanted. The first item to be introduced to the House of Smocking Catalogue was the Smocking Pleater, followed by smocking transfer dots. The product range has increased to include patterns, books and much more, from international suppliers, to fulfil the needs of smocking enthusiasts. Most of these can be viewed in the on-line catalogue. Alternatively you can request a hard copy catalogue, which gives the full range of supplies.
House of Smocking is not a shop, but visitors are welcome to call by appointment. Please contact me , Chris Slade, for further details.