Smocking is no longer just a practical means of gathering fabric. In this manual, Dorothea Hall seeks to put a contemporary spin on this traditional craft. She combines exquisite fabrics and exuberant colours with highlights of twinkling beads and buttons, giving modern applications for smocking. There are instructions on all the basic techniques, along with a stitch library and a section on finishing. There are ideas for projects, ranging from the simple to the more complicated, and including: cushion covers and bolsters; curtain tie-backs; pot pourri; confetti sachets; a laundry bag; a shoulder bag; a baby's bonnet and dress; a house and garden sampler; and Christmas tree baubles.

Adventurous sewers have embraced the style again, experimenting with new methods and materials and inventing fresh effects. Exciting original designs all appear in color photos. “A showcase of smocking combined with decorative stitches and embroidery...filled with beautiful projects....Very good diagrams and instructions on how to smock for the beginner.”—Doll Crafter

“Smocking has been revived as the interest in hand-decorated surfaces increases...Page after page of patterns...each with color graph photograph of finished design, and written directions... include(s) pointers on fabrics, stitch instructions, and symbols....Patterns reflect popular favorites, holidays, and ease of implementation. Easter becomes an egg; animals include domestic and wild; and fruits, vegetables, toys, and people showcase familiar objects—apples, hyacinths, bicycles, and more.”—Booklist.

Foremost smocking designer provides complete instructions on how to smock. Over 10 projects, over 100 illus.

The award-winning textile artist presents her modern approach to 150 fabric manipulation techniques in this fully illustrated sewing guide. In Fabric Manipulation, Ruth Singer presents the most in-depth and comprehensive guide to sculptural and embellishing effects since Collette Wolff’s The Art of Manipulating Fabric. Divided into three sections—Pleat and Fold, Stitch and Gather, Apply and Layer—Fabric Manipulation teaches sewists of all skill levels 150 creative sewing techniques with clear instruction, photos, and hundreds of full color diagrams. Ruth explains her innovative variations on traditional fabric manipulation techniques such as pleating, folding, gathering, smocking, quilting, trapunto and applique. She also offers inspirational project ideas for accessories and home décor that demonstrate practical uses of fabric manipulation.

Designed to boost draping confidence and design creativity, Fashion Pattern Cutting is a step-by-step guide to the pattern cutting process, from finding inspiration for a fashion-forward design through to creating the finished product. - Clear visuals show each step from mood board to patterns and possible design variations - Written in a friendly, approachable style by an experienced designer and teacher - Provides readers with the tools and techniques to experiment and create their own unique designs Fashion Pattern Cutting is a creative pattern cutting book that pushes the boundaries of experimentation on the mannequin stand. In this book, experienced fashion designer Zarida Zaman explains how to make garments bearing in mind the relationship between fabric, drape, weight and 3D forms. Taking architecture, origami and natural forms as her three key sources of inspiration, the author shows how to create varied and exciting contemporary styles using crisp folds, bold shapes and natural fabrics. Written in an accessible style with clear visuals and plenty of tips and tricks, the book gives readers the tools and confidence to experiment creatively. Included in this book are hand-drawn illustrations of pattern pieces, complete with measurements, and suggestions for how to apply techniques across a range of garments. The patterns reveal the deceptively simple draping techniques used to create stylish, minimalist designs, and enable readers, whether beginners or experienced pattern cutters, to put together stunning and innovative designs themselves.

Winner of the Association of Dress Historians Book of the Year Award, 2022 Traditionally associated with rural ways of life in England, often hand-crafted and held up as one of the only items of English folk dress to survive into the 20th century, the smock frock is an object of curiosity in many museum collections. Drawing on a wide variety of sources from surviving garments to newspapers and photographs, this book reveals the hidden history of the smock frock to present new social histories. Discussing the smock frock in its widest contexts, Alison Toplis explores how garments were handmade and manufactured by the ready-made clothing industry, and bought by men of different trades. She traces the smock frock's usage across England as well as in export markets such as Australia. Following the garment's decline in the late 19th century, the book investigates how this essentially utilitarian style of workwear came to be held up as an example of disappearing 'peasant' craft in an emotional response to urbanisation, and how it was preserved by collectors under the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement. Around the turn of the 20th century, the smock frock was reinvented as both women's and children's wear and is now regularly revived in fashion collections by the likes of Molly Goddard. Drawing together extensive visual and material cultures, Alison Toplis unravels a new history of the smock frock.

Summary: "The perfect introduction to the core principles of garment construction, "How Patterns Work" simplifies and explains the relationship between pattern making and the body." -- Back cover.

Heirlooms for the home, to wear, or as gifts; use fine laces and fabrics, new or from vintage clothing shops.

Contemporary Families at the Nexus of Research and Practice integrates current research with clinical theory to establish the most up-to-date, evidence-supported treatment options for unique contemporary families. Each chapter begins with a case study and genogram. A research section that explains family experiences outlined in the case study follows. Finally, a treatment section presents clinical theory and provides an evidence-supported practice. Together, each chapter demonstrates how theory gets translated into practice. Family forms discussed include families of divorce, stepfamilies, families of addiction, impoverished families, families of incarceration, families of cyberbullying, and families of murder victims. Whether you’re a professional or a student, this book will provide both relevant research findings and explicit instruction and case material to augment your practice.