UPDATED how to smock | all the stitches!

Here's an explanation of how to do the basic stitches in geometric English smocking -- cable, wave, trellis, and stem stitches.
I know the popular needle for smocking is a crewel, but I prefer to use a medium to large size sharp/millimer needles.
VIDEO BREAKDOWN:
Intro: 00:00-00:20
Preparation: 00:20-1:38
Cable stitch: 1:38-2:25
Outline stitch: 2:25-2:50
Stem stitch: 2:50-3:04
Wave stitch: 3:04-4:00
Trellis stitch: 4:00-4:42
Combinations on previous work: 4:42-5:40
Outro: 5:40-5:59

[@buchananbakes9968]

I just got started, loving the process, I picked up a Stanley pleater WITH A MOTOR for $90, bent half my needles the first time i tried using it, I had the needles in it incorrectly. Now I have figured it out, and I have been binge watching your videos over and over. I am currently making my first try with the help of this video, thank you so much you are so great at teaching! You and your children are adorable too!

[@user-ri2qn4qo4k]

I'm SO glad I found your channel! I'm learning so much and this video in particular taught me the exact smocking stitch I needed! Thank you so much for sharing your incredible talent with us!!

[@sarahclassicsewing]

Yayyy welcome! Glad to have you!

[@donnamills8226]

excellent tutorial! I have smocked for 40 yrs and recently started a smocking plate that called for the "wheat" stitch. Watching your tutorial I learned the "wheat" stitch is the stacked stem stitch! Thank you!

[@sarahclassicsewing]

Ahh fun how things change over time, didnt know that, thanks!

[@shamaal-hajri2176]

God bless all ur workand ut time and the effort for making such amazing videos its like a whole library for us am really immpressed 🙏❤❤❤❤😍🥰

[@tinafisher]

you are such a great teacher, I'm getting a smocking machin for Mother's Day from dear husband, and even though I don't have a grandchild to make this stuff for, I want to master it....I have for 40 years but never had the time or mony, now in my old age, I can finally indulge my dream of smocking, heirloom sewing, now that I can watch you, the prrocess of learning will be much mor enjoyalbe and easier. Thank you my dear.

[@sarahclassicsewing]

Thanks for such a sweet comment, you made my day. Indulge away :-)

[@asawariandhorikar2581]

Hi! thank you for introducing me to this beautiful craft. I love doing embroideries and these hand-smocked embroidered dresses are

[@janiewerner]

Beautiful! Thank you for your continued efforts!

[@sarahclassicsewing]

Thanks Janie :-)

[@jenniferpingleton8389]

The stitch combining the outline and stem stitch is the wheat stitch, or at least that’s what I’ve seen it called in Martha Pullen’s magazines. You do such beautiful work😍

[@puledressdesigns]

Wow that is beautiful!

[@ivettehernandez7515]

I need to know if you have to wash the fabrics before sewing it. Thanks for your help.

[@philryan4576]

Hi Sarah, love the video’s 🙂👍🏼

[@terrirideout9683]

Thank you!!!!

[@aneebarua7725]

Very nice 👍

[@Paramdeep20]

You are great. You are fantastic in your work. I m also want to learn all this. Could u Plz tell me from where you have learn all this.

[@sarahclassicsewing]

Thanks so much. I have a lot of videos so you can learn, but I've learned this over several years, mostly by trial and error, but I've also taken a handful of classes.

[@zainabaskar1463]

حاجه جميلة تسلم الايادي انا اعرف عن كثير من التتريز

[@CaroleLeeFinna]

STUNNING

[@rosiehinesley1508]

My questions are: 1 Do you wash the fabric before smocking. 2 Do you ever use starch before smocking. 3 Do you ever use a stabilizer to hold the pleats. Thanks so ever much.

[@sarahclassicsewing]

1. Yupp, most of the time I prewash, but it's not required for smocking. 2. I don't, but I've heard of others doing that. Personally I haven't found that it makes a difference... except it gets my iron dirty lol 3. I use german interfacing when required (ie silk dupioni, silk batiste, etc). You'll know when you need to use it when you start pleating and the pleats look really thin and kinda flat, if you will, like they need plumping up. In those cases, I iron on the interfacing (just wide enough for where I'm going to smock) before pleating, run the assembly through my pleater, and voila, plump pleats :-)

[@charlottecarrick2997]

hi where do you get the pattern for this dress. it's gorgeous and I just can find a lovely smocking dreas pattern. x

[@sarahclassicsewing]

Thanks, this is the Creative Needle Shoulder closure bit.ly/2kSfp4z. I also like the CC bishop pattern bit.ly/1NzaPnq. But CC Jamie is the best bang for your buck -- love how versatile it is. bit.ly/2cSSya4

[@NghiaTran-un7ix]

Hi Sarah, should i sew the dress first and then do smock or vice versa?

[@maisonarness2685]

I use floss and have always wanted to use pearl. Where can I buy a lot of colors for picture smocking? And what size should I buy? Nothing is more irritating than having to keep 4 stands straight.

[@maisonarness2685]

Also adding on... your neck bands on all the dresses you shown are AMAZING! I'm working on that... as it's not my strongest sewing work just yet!

[@sarahclassicsewing]

Hmm that's the tricky thing with pearl cotton. You can't get as many colors, and it's more expensive. I haven't heard of anyone using pearl cotton for picture-smocking, which isn't to say it can't be done, but I'm wondering how it would look... hmm good question. Maybe if you used size 8 or 5, it would fill enough space. Normally I like to use size 10 or 12 for regular smocking. Yes keeping four strands straight is frustrating. I'm in a habit of turning my needle a bit after each stitch, which helps, but still... grr. I've been meaning to experiment with floche, too. That might be a better alternative, although I heard it doesn't hold up over time.

[@sarahclassicsewing]

Ha, thanks Maison :-) True bias band and trim those raw edges to your band.... I have a video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3iUkJRqnJd-pMU :-)

[@maisonarness2685]

Sarah Classic Sewing Yes! I haven't heard to much about it being used for smocking pictures. I'll just have to get the hang of it I supposed? I sometimes have ironed my floss and I think it works for me. Time consuming, sure but it's nice. I'll have to try some pearl cotton on a baby bubble with baby waves. I love the sheen is has!

[@lifewithnealandsuz]

Very helpful!

[@tsiram789]

Dove posso comprare la macchina per arriciare la stofa? E come si chiama a la macchina? Grazie

[@margaretburkhardt2262]

Hi when you have finished the smocking do take the cotton out ??

[@user-hw9vo7bl1w]

Sarah, Hello! Tell me, how is the embroidery with pearls? I think many will be useful this video! Good for you!

[@sarahclassicsewing]

+Мария Плеханова oh, just put the bead on as you're smocking. And thank you, I hope it's helpful to others too

[@user-hw9vo7bl1w]

Sarah, are you saying that the pearls are all sewn after embroidery? I thought it is in the process of embroidery)

[@sarahclassicsewing]

+Мария Плеханова yes, you are correct. The pearls are sewn in the process of doing the smocking. When you get to the pleat you'd like the pearl, thread the pearl onto your needle and stitch over continuing to smock like normal.

[@user-hw9vo7bl1w]

Sarah, thank you very much! Intuitively thought so))) thank you for your lessons, for that share your expertise and inspire!

[@user-hw9vo7bl1w]

Baby you are wonderful! Stay healthy and happy!

[@claudettemonty4077]

Do I need to wash the floss with salt or vinegar and let dry before do the embroidery?? I don’t want that when I will wash the dress, the floss don’t make a booboo, give a funny color to the dress! Thanks.

[@sarahclassicsewing]

Hmm not really sure about this - maybe if you have a big contrast, say, white fabric with red smocking. But I've never done something like that nor have I had issues with any colors bleeding. I have heard of some people putting a color catcher in with the wash to prevent that issue.

[@anithasiva265]

Wonderful

[@zezebacelar4210]

Lindíssimo!!!!👏👏👏

[@bstalents8884]

Which cloth material used for this work? Is it cotton?

[@breonnaburnett5214]

do you have a video where you are smocking with pearl cotton? I'm just starting out and heard you say it is easier! but wasn't sure if you separate the thread?

[@sarahclassicsewing]

Yes, it is soo much easier. And nope, no separating the thread for pearl cotton. And I don't have a video for pearl cotton, but it's the same idea as shown in this video, but you don't have to worry about the thread getting twisted. It'll look fine regardless.

[@classicbabywhites]

Hi Sarah, How can you hide the knots on the back of your work - say on a baby bonnet that has no lining to hide the back? Thanks, LaQueta

[@sarahclassicsewing]

+LaQueta Paul knots from smocking? I don't know of a good way unless you smock with a super long piece of floss so you can hide them in the binding, but it would be difficult to work with. Some knots are fine in smocking. If you're talking about hand sewing work, you can double thread your needle and then go through the loop to attach. See my video on hand sewing snaps. Thanks LaQueta 😊

[@celiaameliaamelia2513]

Sarah onde posso comprar essa máquina ?? From Brazil

[@jaclynnet6478]

The last one is stunning! Is it your creation? I love it.

[@sarahclassicsewing]

+Jaclynne T thank you, yes I made all of these.

[@helenlong5555]

I am from Atlanta GA. I am having trouble finding a smocking shop anywhere in the Atlanta area. Any suggestions?

[@sarahclassicsewing]

I've heard something about jilly or something... can't remember the name. But you aren't too far from farmhouse fabrics in Augusta and it is well-worth the drive.. They open to the public periodically, so call and check. They have fabrics from all over the world. Great choices for your own clothing and everything you'd want for heirloom sewing. You can see everything in person and take notes for future online orders. It can be a great girls' trip.

[@yvy0503]

Beautiful!!! Youre so talented!!! Can you please tell me if I can buy those needles online? And the full name and numbers? I'm also interested in the smocking machine! Thank you in advance!

[@sarahclassicsewing]

Hey there, thanks, I've got a whole video on needles with links... I'm on my phone, but just search my channel for what needle i use to smock

[@yvy0503]

@@sarahclassicsewing thank you so much Sarah, hugsss!

[@fathima69854]

Can I know how to take measurements for normal smocking & bishop for new born?

[@sarahclassicsewing]

I guess you could build the pattern around their necksize and shoulder length/arm length using some geometry

[@muneebasaeed299]

plz tell about febric measures for 3 year girl

[@ilovecookingwithghazala7994]

Wow mashaAllah 😘

[@sabiharizvee7441]

Thankyou is 2 sal ki bacchi ke banane ke liye kitne metre Kapda banana hai

[@snehalatha4918]

Hi man cano know the measurement of cloth for smocking

[@theresalatham3954]

Where is the description

[@nyansaid1512]

We need more vodeos, please.

[@sarahclassicsewing]

just released a new one :-)

[@faheezalallmohamed1429]

Ngo

[@nyansaid1512]

wonderful

[@faheezalallmohamed1429]

G0

[@teslaandhumanity7383]

You should work for Dior ❤️

[@adnanarshad2192]

A.s sarah how r u ? I want to purchase pleater machine .can u help me in this case i am from pakistan

[@fineembroidery3311]

Nice #FineEmbroidery

[@tklanggan]

Sarah... this is good tutorial.. can you please little bit slow? Its too fast dear... Btw, thank you...

[@sarahclassicsewing]

Thanks, and you can change the speed of the video using the little gear icon at the bottom right hand corner. Pick 0.75 or less to slow things down :-)

[@gwenkaiser6836]

Where did you get your pleated?

[@sarahclassicsewing]

off craigslist years ago

[@susanoldham9504]

Your work looks amazing! But....... As with almost all of the tutorials that I have found there seems to be too much speed ! 🤔. Just as I think I am picking it up ? The tutorial speeds up !!! Step by step please 🙏🏻...

[@sarahclassicsewing]

It is step by step, and you can slow down the video speed by using the gear icon on youtube. Thanks

[@angelasanchez807]

Vosotros mandais trabajo a casa