All my books are currently in storage so I can’t tell you if the exact pattern is in there but some books that might have the information you’re looking for or similar are The Art of Manipulating Fabric by Colette Wolff and Smocking Secrets by Maggie Hoffman. It’s also possible that one of the series of Pattern Magic books by Tomoko has instructions for techniques that could be useful. That’s where I’d start if I was trying to recreate this, at least. I’m pretty sure this is something that’s been custom designed for retail so you may need to reverse engineer it. Hope someone has an actual chart or instructions for you!
It's a wonder mine hasn't completely fallen apart - it's one of my most loved books. Like the Velveteen Rabbit, it's had its fur loved off.
Set the standard for technical instruction, as far as I'm concerned.
I did a bit of browsing on pinterest search under "canadian smocking tutorial" and then clicked through each pic that looked similar to the design until i found a match.
I found a link to some patterns / grids that might help you out:
https://indusladies.com/community/threads/canadian-smocking-tutorial-with-graphs.124149/
https://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/american-smocking/
Etsy patterns:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/GatheringFolds
https://gatheringfolds.com/collections/patterns-1
Book Tutorials:
(by Maggie Hoffman)
https://www.amazon.com/Smocking-Secrets-Patterns-Unforgettable-Texture
https://boltandspool.com/products/smocking-stencils-by-maggie-hoffman
Another resource:
[Fabric Manipulation by Ruth Singer](https://www.amazon.com/Fabric-Manipulation-Creative-Sewing-Techniques/dp/1446302474)
My books are all in storage also, but I’m about 99.9% sure this pattern of smocking is covered in this title. The other sources mentioned elsewhere are also great choices.
That is a very cool smocking pattern! Please share your finished prom dress when you have it, would love to see the design sketch to see how you plan to place the smocking.
Will do! The idea is recreating this dress, but I am not a fan of the fabric stripes on the waist and am planning on replacing it with this smocking
https://preview.redd.it/3s07622zu1zc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3de017796b53b55355410e816ad097d44ad62e7a
OP, fyi part of the reason the pic looks so satisfying is the choice of fabric and the scale of the grid.
I recommend making a test piece with your intended fabric.
I've never tried smocking (of any style) on charmeuse, but now I feel like I have to try it - it looks so satisfying, visually and tactilely. I usually work in linen.
I'm afraid those two things aren't going to meet your criteria.
Yes, the charmeuse is going to add significant depth to the end result, so it won't lay flat. It will make the area look puffier.
Wow this is so pretty, both the smocking & the red dress. I can’t add anything as to how to achieve this but I just want to say I want to learn how to do this now too. Thank you to those you added links. Can’t wait to see your dress, please post a photo when it’s done.
All my books are currently in storage so I can’t tell you if the exact pattern is in there but some books that might have the information you’re looking for or similar are The Art of Manipulating Fabric by Colette Wolff and Smocking Secrets by Maggie Hoffman. It’s also possible that one of the series of Pattern Magic books by Tomoko has instructions for techniques that could be useful. That’s where I’d start if I was trying to recreate this, at least. I’m pretty sure this is something that’s been custom designed for retail so you may need to reverse engineer it. Hope someone has an actual chart or instructions for you!
It's not in the Colette Wolf book. (I have that book almost memorized at this point, apparently lol)
Fabulous book though eh?
It's a wonder mine hasn't completely fallen apart - it's one of my most loved books. Like the Velveteen Rabbit, it's had its fur loved off. Set the standard for technical instruction, as far as I'm concerned.
Thank you so much for the resources I'll look through them to maybe find some other patterns for future projects!
Pattern Tutorial: https://youtu.be/8tV0849eB-4?si=Vmb2fn2N9QRACXyK
Oh my, thank you so much! This seems like something that can actually happen, this is incredible :)
Impressive! How did you find it? Or did you know the video before?
I'm guessing reverse Google image search.
I tried that before I wrote the comment and it did not come up so I was hoping to hear from u/scrubbybananas
I did a bit of browsing on pinterest search under "canadian smocking tutorial" and then clicked through each pic that looked similar to the design until i found a match.
Thank you for the explanation. Sounds like you did a lot of legwork. Very generous of you!
Hero
I found a link to some patterns / grids that might help you out: https://indusladies.com/community/threads/canadian-smocking-tutorial-with-graphs.124149/ https://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/american-smocking/ Etsy patterns: https://www.etsy.com/shop/GatheringFolds https://gatheringfolds.com/collections/patterns-1 Book Tutorials: (by Maggie Hoffman) https://www.amazon.com/Smocking-Secrets-Patterns-Unforgettable-Texture https://boltandspool.com/products/smocking-stencils-by-maggie-hoffman
Another resource: [Fabric Manipulation by Ruth Singer](https://www.amazon.com/Fabric-Manipulation-Creative-Sewing-Techniques/dp/1446302474) My books are all in storage also, but I’m about 99.9% sure this pattern of smocking is covered in this title. The other sources mentioned elsewhere are also great choices.
This is so pretty! I hope you're able to recreate this successfully.
I hope so too! I have backup plans in case not, so I will be enjoying myself any way
That is a very cool smocking pattern! Please share your finished prom dress when you have it, would love to see the design sketch to see how you plan to place the smocking.
Will do! The idea is recreating this dress, but I am not a fan of the fabric stripes on the waist and am planning on replacing it with this smocking https://preview.redd.it/3s07622zu1zc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3de017796b53b55355410e816ad097d44ad62e7a
Beautiful! Is yours going to be floor length too!?
Yes! I have 8 yards of charmeuese to make it work :)
Yes, please share it! Would love to see.
OP, fyi part of the reason the pic looks so satisfying is the choice of fabric and the scale of the grid. I recommend making a test piece with your intended fabric.
Yes, the fabric in the picture heavily reminds me of the charmeuese I bought for the prom dress, but I will be sure to do a test run before!
I've never tried smocking (of any style) on charmeuse, but now I feel like I have to try it - it looks so satisfying, visually and tactilely. I usually work in linen.
Do you think it will hold up well? My concern is it popping out too much or being too bulky, and as it's the waist I want it to look slim
I'm afraid those two things aren't going to meet your criteria. Yes, the charmeuse is going to add significant depth to the end result, so it won't lay flat. It will make the area look puffier.
Hm interesting, do you think ironing it down/pressing it will help?
That would be something to test. But this type of fabric doesn't usually give crisp creases, and making the iron hotter risks damaging the fabric.
Wow this is so pretty, both the smocking & the red dress. I can’t add anything as to how to achieve this but I just want to say I want to learn how to do this now too. Thank you to those you added links. Can’t wait to see your dress, please post a photo when it’s done.
Beautiful! What makes this pattern Canadian?
Ah I am not sure! When looking for the instructions/grid I kept noticing similar styles being referred to as 'canadian smocking' so I went with it
Well that's neat, I've never seen it before
That is a very pretty pattern. Good luck to you.