Smocking 104

The last section of stitching is Accent Stitches. Accent stitches are some of the very same stitches you use in hand embroidery. They include the seed stitch, French knot, Turkey stitch, Boullion Rose and Flowerette. They help add detail to your design and are added to the design after removing the gathering threads.

Flowerette: Simply working four straight stitches in the following pattern. _ _ _ _

The straight stitch is worked across two pleats at a time.

French Knot: The French Knot is worked by wrapping the thread around the needle twice working from inside to outside. You work a French knot in one pleat at a time.

Satin Stitch: The satin stitch is just a straight stitch worked through the same two pleats and is used to fill in a design.

Boullion Stitch: The Boullion stitch is made by putting the needle through two pleats, wrap the thread around the needle starting from outside to the inside several times. Pull the needle through the "coil of threads" to create the Boullion. The rose is created by making a chain stitch at each of four corners of the two parallel coils. :==:

Turkey Stitch: Work this stitch by inserting the needle through the first pleat, leaving a bit of a tail, and then insert the needle through the second pleat. Draw the thread through but don't pull too snug. Insert the needle through the third pleat being sure to leave a loop. Insert the needle through the fourth pleat making sure to draw the thread completely through the pleat. Continue across as needed. At the end you will trim the threads of the loop and fluff the threads.

Other stitching involves combining the stitches learned in Smocking 102 through 104. Once you see what a stitch will do for your work, then you will begin to create combinations that will make your work unique.

The next step we will take is to actually make a swatch of smocking to get a feel for the craft. You will need the following materials for your first attempt at smocking.

1/4 yard of gingham (1/4") Contrasting thread so you can see the stitching Scissors Embroidery needles Lots of patience. :)

See you in Smocking 105

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