National Smocking Month

Did you know that February is National Smocking Month? The Smocking Arts Guild of America (SAGA) is encouraging members to smock together in public this month, and to talk to interested passersby about smocking. Some chapters will have special displays in libraries and other locations.

What is Smocking?

Smocking fundamentally is the manipulation of fabric using needle and thread. In its simplest form, smocking is decorative needlework stitched over pleats to embellish the item. However this does not define its limitlessness. Smocking can be used to create texture, design or flexibility in fabrics. When a more sophisticated technique is employed the color and weight of the fabric can be influenced and the folds of the fabric become the focus rather than the embroidered stitches. SAGA is your resource to over 20 different forms of smocking.

If you are not in a SAGA Chapter, I would encourage you to check locally and see if there is a chapter! If there is not a chapter in your area, there is a online chapter called WebSmockers that you can participate in. 

SewNso's Sewing Journal is dedicated to fostering the art of Smocking, not just in the month of February, but each and every month of the year! I have many tips, techniques and tutorials to guide and teach smocking to beginners, as well as for those who want to perfect their smocking. If you click on the tabs at the top of my blog, you can access many of the tutorials I have. You can also do keyword searches on the sidebar of this blog and also find tutorials at my website.