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From: sanjoseanne
Date: 08-05-2005, 06:31 PM (1 of 5)
| I have volunteered to make an heirloom christening gown for a girlfriend, and would love to do a smocked yoke. I have time (baby doesn't arrive until December and doesn't get baptized until March) to learn smocking, and could use some hints. Do I have to get a pleater? I'll be using a swiss cotton batiste. I am an experienced sewer and have made everything from t-shirts to formal gowns, but now have the time to start exploring new avenues. BTW: I'm a new member and have never participated in a forum before so bear with me! |
User: sanjoseanne
Member since: 08-05-2005 Total posts: 1 |
From: mommydionne
Date: 08-07-2005, 07:48 PM (2 of 5)
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I don't smock (yet) but look in the heirloom forum, there is tonnes of advice regarding smocking and sewingnonie is usually fab for advice! Some places will pleat the fabric for you (which might be good for your first big project) or you can use the dots, pleaters are a little pricey ($200ish) if you haven't tried before and aren't sure if you would like to continue with the smocking thing. addrianne's attic is a good site for smocking materials etc. (I think I have spelled it wrong sorry) have fun! Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: fronno
Date: 08-08-2005, 07:08 PM (3 of 5)
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Do I have to get a pleater? I'll be using a swiss cotton batiste. Hello Sanjoseanne, Personally I would not use a pleater for swiss cotton batiste. The fabric is a little fragile for this. Now there is time, I would mark the pleats by hand and stitch them by hand together and then a final straight stitch on top for to keep them together. You can stitch the pleats a little downwards for to keep them there when the skirt and child are held in every kind of position with the baptizing. Just like a pleated skirt with about 200 pleats in it.  The solution of using pins is there as well ofcause, but then you have to be very very secure with the positioning of them. I mean, do not pin one on e.g. 1 inch and the other one at 1 1/8 inch. If in your opinion this is to much work, but it is only after all, a very small dress, isn't it, you mayby can 'borrow' a pleater from someone and try the thing on the battist before you buy one. Mayby the battist which you are going to use can handle the pleater. With kind regards,
François |
User: fronno
Member since: 04-26-2004 Total posts: 79 
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From: ninifav
Date: 08-08-2005, 09:24 PM (4 of 5)
| If there are any heirloom or smocking guilds or shops in your area, it may be that you can find someone to pleat the material for you...check the yellow pages, local library, (even some church groups have sewing groups.) You need to start networking with other sewers to find someone...good luck... |
User: ninifav
Member since: 09-06-2004 Total posts: 204 |
From: sewingnonie
Date: 08-09-2005, 12:04 AM (5 of 5)
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The yoke on a christening dress would be so small that doing the pleats by hand would be the way to go. I am sure you can get the dots from Adriannes Attic. Have you picked your smocking design? Also,check the smocking guild website and look for a chapter in your area. Or,if I knew the area you are in,I could look for some for you. If there is a chapter in your area,you will meet lots of ladies that will help you learn to smock. Nonie |
User: sewingnonie
Member since: 09-23-2004 Total posts: 175 |
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