Smocking

I learnt to smock at school Galen, here's a pretty pattern very simple though... you have to scroll down a bit..
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2009/how-tuesday-smocked-sundress-from-weekend-sewing/

Sorry forgot to convert it..

www.etsy.com/blog/en/2009/how-tuesday-smocked-sundress-from-weekend-sewing/

Just realised that's for smocking on a machine, I thought it was for hand sewing sorry... that'll teach me to read the whole thing ..

Actually by stirring the back and then gathering the front into the pleats for smocking it should work. Thanks

I've never tried shirring I might give it a try for my grandaughter .. hope it works..

Neither have I. Shall have to look it up. I think you somehow wind the elastic onto the bobbin under tension(? By hand) then proceed?
Any one who does know please tell us

Excellent video on utube by simply anniekate.

Must be 50 yrs since I did hand smocking -on a dress for DD2 she is 53 in August this year !

I used to do hand-smocking for special things christening robes and party dresses for theDDs but later just did shirring for sundresses and found that if I bought rather larger matching t shirts I could take the straps off the sundresses and they would be skirts and tees the next year. And sadly not enough sun to get wear out of a sun dress . Using toning / matching bias binding along the top edge before shirring saves a lot of finishing off.

I learnt smocking at Girl Guides and even got a badge for it! Wouldn't know where to start now.