smocking
Ornamental pleat embroidery
Smocking is a decorative embroidery technique that gathers fabric into tight pleats, creating an elastic, textured surface.
The stitching forms patterns—often diamonds or honeycombs—across the gathered material.
Smocking appears most commonly on children's clothing, particularly the bodices of dresses: a hand-smocked christening gown, the smocking on her daughter's Easter dress.
Joining with needle, thread
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- pleatingCreating uniform fabric folds
- shirringGathered fabric technique
- puckeringContracting into small folds
honeycomb · cable · wave · trellis · lattice · grid · dots · gauging
Woven or knit material
- threadFiber for stitching
- flossInterdental cleaning strand
- needlePointed implement for sewing
- cottonPlant fiber for textiles
linen · gingham · voile · batiste · lawn · silk · pleater · graph
Skirted one-piece garment
- romperOne-piece children's garment
- bonnetHat secured under chin
- bibMealtime chest covering
- christening gownInfant's ceremonial dedication garment
yoke · bodice · blouse · pinafore · nightgown · jumpsuit · collar · cuff
Decorative addition or exaggeration
- ornamentationDecorative additions to something
- textureSurface tactile quality
- patternRecurring arrangement or template
- designPurposeful creative planning
ribbon · beading · feather stitch · stem stitch · adornment · detail · accent · trimming
stitching
Joining with needle, thread
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- pleatingCreating uniform fabric folds
- shirringGathered fabric technique
puckering · honeycomb · cable · wave · trellis · lattice · grid · dots · gauging · manipulation
fabric
Woven or knit material
cotton · linen · gingham · voile · batiste · lawn · silk · pleater · graph · lightweight fabric
dress
Skirted one-piece garment
christening gown · yoke · bodice · blouse · pinafore · nightgown · jumpsuit · collar · cuff · sleeve
embellishment
Decorative addition or exaggeration
- ornamentationDecorative additions to something
- textureSurface tactile quality
- patternRecurring arrangement or template
design · ribbon · beading · feather stitch · stem stitch · adornment · detail · accent · trimming · motif
heirloom
Inherited family treasure
- christeningCeremony naming a child
- baptismRitual water purification ceremony
- EasterResurrection commemoration day
portrait · Southern · vintage · classic · Victorian · Edwardian · folk · peasant · agricultural · pastoral
- handcraftssewing, knitting, weaving, pottery, quilts
- handicraftssewing, knitting, pottery, weaving, embroidery
- homecraftssewing, knitting, crocheting, crochet, quilting
- textile craftssewing, knitting, weaving, quilting, embroidery
- Needlecraftembroidery hoop, cross-stitch, needlepoint, crewel, crewelwork
- needleworkcross-stitch, embroidery, embroidery hoop, embroidery hoops, needlepoint