honeycomb smocking

This is a lesson I prepared for my students at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. It is an assignment for the Couture Construction class, and shows marking the fabric as well as stitching the smocking.

[@belindadavies6847]

OMG. I was working out smocking by myself, but thought there must be an easier way, but every other video shows doing individual little knots! I KNEW there must be an easier way! Thankyou!!

[@TheSannySide]

So glad I found this, most other videos were unnecessarily complicated - thanks :)

[@kdknyc]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bindujosephjacob9704]

So glad I found this

[@brendabelcher3197]

Thanks for this. My mother made me many a school dress with smocking on it. I remember watching her do it but forgot how she did it over the years. Most tutorials have you gather the fabric first or use a machine. Mom had sheets and sheets of iron on dots in different sizes.

[@Idiosyncratic_flow]

omg this is so beautiful and so perfectly explained, thank you

[@gretahelphrey7842]

Thanks so much for this! I’ve been wanting to smock some sheer curtains, but haven’t found directions anywhere nearly so helpful. Your verbal and visual presentation is just what I’ve needed.

[@kdknyc]

Glad to be of help!

[@elenagurrilevis3757]

Such clear instructions!!! Thank you.

[@prema415]

I like this stich.👍♥️♥️♥️👌👌

[@judypickett6110]

Thank you so much for this video! I use to smock when I was a young girl, around 10 or so but could not remember how to do it. I got a pattern but still it had no explanation as to how to smock. I guess Simplicity thinks one is just supposed to know how to smock, or else why get the pattern?? I bought a 1960's pattern thinking the instructions would be included but nope! Your video has brought it all back to me now. I have subscribed to your channel and given you a big thumb's up. Please continue to bring us more videos.

[@kdknyc]

Glad you found this helpful!

[@lespagne49]

I just adore Kenneth, he is amazing 😂and I feel absolutely privileged to be able to learn from him. Read his book growing up its a cannot put dow😅

[@kdknyc]

@@lespagne49 You're very kind to say that. The book is also an audiobook-"All Grown Up Now" on Audible.

[@Charivnucja]

​@@kdknycдуже шкода, що я не маю вашої мови😢 Відео чудові, я не знаю мови, але можу навчитися, це просто фантастика❤

[@lindapesnell5723]

❤️Love This Thank You❤️

[@byGmma]

Excelente explicación, gráfica y ejecución. Muchas gracias 🙏

[@fatimaal-zuhairi7373]

Hi thank you so much for the marvellous explanation I would like to ask you a favour if you don’t mind to tell me the measurements do I need to end the results after I do the smoking in 20 cm this what I need to do a sleeves If don’t mind to help me I would appreciate the, please 🙏 Fatima

[@kdknyc]

That's for you to figure out. Make some samples (that's how it's done) and note the measurements, to see exactly what you want it to be, depending on the spacing of the smocking.

[@florhernandez1608]

Muchas gracias por compartir tus conocimientos esplicastes muy bien Dios te bendiga

[@suefletcher1186]

What a brilliant clear demo, new to smocking thank you so much x

[@kulsomomar1532]

Love it will try today

[@marbethmcnerlan8991]

Delighted this has been so helpful and easy to follow thank you

[@LeelaBluePins]

Great tutorial thank you! I'm going to give this a try for my next sewing project!

[@rachelgilders130]

Thank you very much - the direction is everything! I’m doing it on a satin baby christening gown - it’s a lovely stitch. If I can do it as neat as yours I will be very pleased.

[@andreab919]

Hello again. Maybe you can help me. I tried your technique on a ticking fabric and the result is very nice. Now I am planning to make a little dress for my grandaughter and made a sample out of the fabric I intend to use which is a light cotton. But the result is not very pretty. The sides of the diamonds are not as crisp as it is with the ticking. So what should I do? Change the fabric for the dress? I am scared that if I use a fabric that is more stiff, the rest of the dress will not be nice. Should I take my fabric and interface the smocking area? Any solution?

[@kdknyc]

Yes, you can interface the section that has the smocking to make it have more body.

[@andreab919]

@@kdknyc Thanks. I will try that.

[@mercysalgado763]

I am interested to know more about your smocking. I am from srilanka

[@onlooker4564]

This is the smocking l was taught as a child. That gather the material and embroider over it isnt smocking, to my mind...

[@bibibrin5035]

Beautiful 🌼👏 I'm going to try this on one of the hideous oversized shirts. Wish me luck for a clumsy noodle that I am.

[@ivyrao9747]

Thank so easy and simple to follow. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@margaritaaibar3045]

Lo quiero en castellano

[@moisebessidjrogbatcha8655]

Thank you

[@ameyo4113]

Thanks for this. I just made one for school. 🌹

[@IvyHawkins]

Thank you! Such a great explanation and calm, positive tone of voice. Can’t wait to learn more techniques.

[@helenmorales5716]

Muchas gracias eres todo un prefesional, entendí todo lo que hiciste Saludos desde Barranquilla Colombia

[@jebunnessarumu6389]

Excellent demonstration, thank you so much.

[@engineersews]

Nice job. Short and clean explanation. Like it!

[@shafiqshaista5126]

Thank you so much.its very nice 👍

[@shailjasharma6982]

Mam thankyou so much...aap or b type k smoking pattern batao mai ye seekhne me bahut hi zyada interested hu....thnx for beautiful sharing with us 👍👍👍🙏

[@benettemcneill984]

Nice. How much “extra” fabric do you think you will need to complete this pattern, using the same spacing that you are showing? For instance if you were using this as an insert and the size of the bodice was 10”. Would you quadruple (40”) the length of your fabric or do you think you might need more fabric? Thank you

[@kdknyc]

That's really one of those questions best answered by making a sample. My expereince says that you will at least double the width to accommodate the smocking, but the length is variable, depending on how far apart you pull the finished smocking.

[@mregister3945]

Thank you for sharing! 😊❤

[@N--jaan--Baloch]

❤❤❤

[@andreab919]

Can you tell me the exact thread you are using. Thanks.

[@kdknyc]

This is pearl cotton.

[@ivonebarnabe3291]

Obrigada pelo ensino. Queria muito aprender, e você ensina de uma maneira simples e fácil de aprender. Deus a abençõe! 🇧🇷

[@GrumpyKitten375]

That’s smocking is great, but it works on fabric that has to be really stiff correct? I’m following your tutorial to the letter and my linen is folding in on itself. I guess starching would be an option?

[@kdknyc]

Startc, or stiff fabric, is key here.

[@catiazanforlin3540]

Spiegazione ottima, grazie mille

[@dannyrysa4583]

Does it look same from the other side?

[@kdknyc]

No it doesn't. It has a definite look, but sadly the front and back are different.

[@sofiaabdulrahman8588]

Thank you so much for your generous tutorial Sir 🫡

[@claudiaroberts1045]

Hi Kenneth, could you please recommend the best thread to use for this. Also, if I was going to smock the yoke of a blouse would I smock a rectangle shape first and then trim to the pattern afterwards? This is a brilliant tutorial by the way. It makes far more sense than pleating the fabric first as other demos show.

[@kdknyc]

Hello, Embroidery floss looks well with this kind of smocking. You could also use pearl cotton--both read well. As for creating a blouse yoke, yes--smick the pattern first, then impose the pattern piece on it to get the proper shaps.

[@padmajaarani9287]

Very easy way and looking nice.👍

[@ivyrao9747]

Do we mark even or odd number dots across the fabric?

[@kdknyc]

I think either--do a sample and see how it works.

[@PATTERN_MAKING]

Thanks I am From india

[@janemaria5773]

amei a explicação,

[@ariadnerosadossantoslatge1874]

Obrigada! Excelente explicação!!!

[@theresapinto778]

You are a great teacher! Do you have online classes to teach smocking?

[@kdknyc]

I don't, sadly. I have other online classes I teach on zoom--you can learn about them on my instagram: kennethdking

[@josenicesilva5562]

amei vou fazer

[@quirkygeekgirl]

Is there an easy way to calculate how much fabric you will need for finished width, like a 3-1 ratio for making basic pleats.

[@kdknyc]

Assume a 2-1 ratio, but the Gold Standard is of course to make a sample.

[@quirkygeekgirl]

@@kdknyc thank you, I usually do a mockup but sometimes I'm lazy and throw caution to the wind and just go for it.

[@isabelromerogonzalez4587]

Que bien gracias ☺️

[@iracemagraciano3189]

Tem essencial com as medidas certas.....bom dia....

[@iracemagraciano3189]

Estencil

[@iracemagraciano3189]

Bom dia qual a medida q vc usou para este trabalho e lindo gostaria de fazer obrigado....

[@uroosakhanmir2933]

Best why

[@happykloesschen]

Thank you for this wonderfully clear video.

[@vishakhakokane8151]

😅

[@vishakhakokane8151]

😅