How to Smock With a Sewing Machine

### Step 1: Create the smocked design

1. Mark the area on the fabric where you want the smocking.

2. Decide how many gathers or pleats you want.

3. Draw the smocking pattern, starting with a straight line at the top and bottom.

4. Evenly space out your dots for the smocking, ensuring they are straight.

5. Connect all the dots with curved lines.

1. Use a sewing machine with a walking foot.

2. Set the machine to a straight stitch.

3. Select a thread color that matches the fabric.

4. Attach a ballpoint or a universal machine sewing machine needle size 80/12 or 90/14 if using lightweight fabrics.

1. Place the fabric under the presser foot, right side facing up.

2. Hold both the upper and lower threads in one hand and gently guide the fabric towards you while sewing.

3. Sew 4mm (1⁄6 in) to the right of the line you have marked.

4. Move the fabric along and sew another line on the left at 4mm (1⁄6 in).

5. When the sewing is done, you should see a double line of gathering stitches.

1. Use a bodkin or knitting needle to pull gathers between stitched lines.

2. Hold the bodkin vertically against the fabric and push into the fabric about 2.5cm (1 in).

3. Once you feel the bodkin’s tip come through the fabric on the other side, grab hold of the loop of thread and pull towards the back.

4. Repeat this motion all along the length of the smocked area, alternating sides to evenly distribute the gathers.

1. To get even and controlled gathers, distribute them as evenly as possible along the unsmoked fabric.

2. Pin in place so that the smocking is flat

3. Stitch in place

* Use a lightweight fabric that is easy to gather.

* Avoid using fabrics with a lot of stretch, as this can make it difficult to control the gathers.

* Sew slowly and evenly to ensure that the smocking is consistent.

* If you are not sure how to smock a particular fabric, test it out on a scrap piece first.

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