What Are You Stitching?

We know that plenty of you love to smock, but there are also lots of people who enjoy making clothes using other techniques too. Adding embroidery to clothing is a fabulous way to make a garment unique, so here are a few ideas to get you inspired:

Anne Lockett

‘I have always loved smocking. In recent years I have completed smocked dresses for grand-daughters. Here’s a photo of the first dress that I smocked for a granddaughter in London. Needless to say, it was high summer in the UK so the children needed extra clothing under and over the sun dress!’

‘I have also taught members of the Port Sorell U3A how to smock last year by completing smocked bells.’

Thank you Anne – such lovely dresses you have created! Hopefully your granddaughter in London had a bit of warm weather so she could really show off your fantastic work. And we loved the creativity of your smocked bell, just gorgeous.

Barbara McCaig

‘This was my first attempt at crewel embroidery. It was a pattern from mid-1990, not perfect but a challenge. No longer worn but I can’t part with it.’

‘The brilliant artistry of all those in the Inspirations community continues to inspire me and gives me much pleasure even though my eyes are no longer as sharp and my fingers not so nimble.’

This is a magnificent vest, Barbara. We can see why you just won’t part with it. And we’d like to say that your own artistry is clearly up there with the best of them… well done.

Jacquie Harvey

‘I came across the pattern for the Young Masters smocks and just had to make one for my granddaughter, Katy who, even at three and a half, is proving to be an artist in the making.’

‘I changed the original design slightly by not making the cuffs white – not a good idea for her, as paint and crayons get everywhere at the moment. I also only had enough piping cord to go around the neck. However, it is roomy enough for her to wear for some time and I know that when she sees it for the first time, she will love the characters around the yoke and will name them herself.’

What a gorgeous smock, Jacquie. It sounds like it has been made for a gorgeous little girl as well, how marvellous it will be for you to watch her creativity run free whilst wearing it!

Elizabeth Braun

‘The best time to start afresh is: Right Now! Ancient wisdom agrees. Ecclesiastes 11:4 says, ‘The one who watches the wind will not sow seed, and the one who looks at the clouds will not reap.’ An agricultural society’s way of saying the very same thing: ‘If you’re always waiting for perfect weather to begin an important job, that task will never get done. If you want to be productive, don’t wait to make a start’.’

‘Here is something that I started… and recently completed.’

Thank you for your words of wisdom, Elizabeth. This is magnificent and the lucky recipient certainly looks very pleased with it!

Do you enjoy making clothes? Do you make them for yourself or for others? Do you love to add embroidery or smocking to a garment? Or do you prefer to get your clothes from a shop and use your stitching time for other things?

Whatever it is you like to stitch, we want to see it! Send us a picture of your work with a bit of information about the project and your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com