Smocking

I am very interested in learning to smock.  The books A-Z Book of Smocking and The A-Z Sewing for Smockers were recommended to me, and I plan to get ahold of those.  Does anyone have any other advice or suggestions for someone just starting out?  If you do not have a pleater, what do you do?  Buy a pre-pleated panel?

ANY info is much appreciated!

Thanks,
Becca

http://refrigerator-art.blogspot.com

Becca, I took some classes early on, but I taught myself quit a bit too. I have been smocking and doing heirloom sewing for almost 25 years. There are several places to buy ready to smock items. The Smocking Arts Guild of America (SAGA) http://www.smocking.org/ also has some ready to smock and learn projects. They also have some correspondence courses that are very good. What part of the country are you in? There may also be a chapter near you.

As well as there are several online heirloom and smocking shops that will pleat for you if you are in an area that doesn't have a shop.

www.bessiemary.com
www.farmhousefabrics.com
www.carolharrisco.com

The A-Z books are great. I assume you have seen or have the Australian Smocking and Embroidery Magazine. As well as Creative Needle and Sew Beautiful magazine.

If I can be of any help let me know.
Martha

http://southernmatriarch.blogspot.com

You can also buy books, patterns and pre-smocked items at the Martha Pullen site.

I just started smocking.  I took a class at a local fabric store to get started.  The class was nice because I was sure I was doing things correctly.  Getting instant feedback on the pure basics gave me the confidence to experiment with more difficult stitches, etc. 

The A to Z of smocking book is a good resource but I think that "Ellen McCarn on English Smocking" is possibly more useful for learning straight from the book.  It doesn't have as many pretty full color pictures as the A to Z book and it's much shorter, but it is also about half the cost.  You also get several smocking plates for actual projects in the McCarn book where the A to Z book is more of a reference book that doesn't include projects.  I have both books and refer to them both frequently.

If you get serious about smocking and decide to take the plunge to get a pleater, check your local Craigslist.  I got myself a 24 row pleater in new condition for $50.

I second the Ellen McCarn book, I learned out of that book too. And if you just put the word out you may even end up with a free pleater! I got one for free from a lady who inherited it from her grandma, she never learned so she had no use for it. She was so glad to find someone who would use it!

Good luck!