Download PDF: Smocking Pattern 12 Rectangles
You will need:
- Fabric
- Scissors
- Basic 30cm Ruler
- Pencil/Tailors Chalk
- Hand Sewing Needle
- Sewing Thread same colour as fabric if possible (Ideally strong quilters thread but if it is only a sample then any sewing thread is good enough)
Tip: You may use the width of a ruler to mark the gridlines or use a ruler to measure out 1.5-3cm evenly spaced dots. I find it is much faster to use the width of a ruler to draw a grid while some designs is better to use the dot system. Using the dot system will allow you to use either side of the fabric to show more than one design. Depending on the design, your fabric will shrink up to 50% of the original size. Mark your grids/dots on grain. Do not use thread longer than your forearm otherwise it will end up knotted or tangled. The type of fabric used also plays an important part of the design. Using scale, type of fabric and whether you choose to iron the fabric after will help greatly to achieving a different outcome.
- Using a basic ruler, I marked out a grid of lines or dots on the wrong side of the fabric. Using the width will ensure the lines are evenly spaced out without having to measure.
- You may jot down the numbers on the fabric to help you recognise where you will be stitching next. After a while of stitching you should be able to workout which stitches you need to do next. Sometimes on more complicated designs it is wise to have numbers to help you.
- Get a piece of sewing thread roughly double the length of your forearm. Thread the hand sewing needle with the thread. Bring the 2 ends together. Up to you if you want to knot the ends.
- Follow the pattern instructions. Where there is a colour line joining 2 black dots, sew them together. You may jot down the sewing sequence to help you remember for next time.
- Each time you complete a cluster of stitches remember to tie off tightly. I tie a few times just to make sure. Sometimes you don’t require to cut off just to save time but things could get messy.
INSTRUCTIONS
If you have completed smocking patterns 9 or 10, then you should be able to execute this pattern with no problem.
Prepare your grid on the wrong side of the fabric.
I used 1.5cm on a medium weight satin fabric.
Mark in the instructions.
Stitch the pink squares by picking up a few strands of threads on the cloth.
Pick a corner and start. Pick up all 4 corners and return to point 1 to complete the 5th stitch.
Careful not to sew through the sewing thread at point 1.
Pull to gather up the stitches and secure the stitch.
You would have created the first flower.
Continue with rest of the pattern until you have completed all the flowers.
This is the right side of the fabric if you push all the petals through on the wrong side.
I am showing you this, in case this design might be helpful to anyone out there.
We are not creating this pattern so return back to the wrong side and poke all the petals upwards if you haven’t done so.
When all the petals are pushed up onto the wrong side you should see flowers.
Each cluster of stitches forming a 4 petal flower.
Push 2 petals together, making sure they are the right height and thatchy are not distorted.
Use the grid lines to guide you.
Stitch through the peaks of the petal.
Secure to complete.
You should be able to identify the corners of the rectangle easily.
Complete all the rectangles.
Don’t forget the petals on the edges too.
Once complete you should see rectangles and octagons on the wrong side of the fabric.
This design does not require ironing if you are using a bouncy fabric. If you are using cotton, you might want to to iron it to give a flat and crisp look.
Using a bouncy fabric like a medium weight satin with a 1.5cm grid made the design much more effective. With a heavier weight satin you may have to use a larger grid. Cotton is also very good to use if you want a flatter design.
Let me know how you’re getting on with this pattern.
I’ll see you in my next blog.
Shan x
PS: Sorry for the different lighting. Sometimes I am working in the living room and sometimes I am in the bedroom. I cannot stay in one place for long since my 2 year old is very demanding. ❤️
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