Counterchange Smocking by Ann Hallay

This is the definitive manual on how to do counterchange smocking which evolved from North American Smocking or Gingham Smocking.  This technique DOES NOT require a pleater, just striped fabric or fabric that alludes to stripes, YEAH!!!!!  

Ann has taken the art form of counterchange smocking into a new realm of creativity.  All the designs that you have seen in Australian Smocking have been inspired by Ann's designs and effort as she was the one who brought this technique to the public's eye as well as bringing it to a higher creative evolution.  Booklet includes instructions along with a design plate (image shown).

Price $16.00
Quantity requested    

Ann Hallay Counterchange Smocking Plates

For those hungry for more counterchange instructions see our Counterchange Smocking page.

"The Pleater Manual" Sarah Douglas $18.00  (Sub-title: A Comprehensive Guide to the Use of the Smocking Pleater).

This is THE definitive guide to operating a smocking pleater and working with pleated fabric. Written by an expert in smocking, Saran Douglas gives you more information than you ever would want to know about pleating and working with pleated fabric. Covers the basic subjects and then goes into a comparison of the popular brands of pleaters and advanced subjects like pleating on the bias and curves. Included is a glossary of terms, pleating directions for all types of fabrics and pleater maintenance instructions. The layout of the book is set up as lesson plans on every type of pleating, exotic or regular.  She certainly did her research well and it definitely shows. I recommend this book as a must have in every smockers library especially if you like to know the scientific (well almost) technical stuff of how a pleater works and the comparisons between the different pleaters on the market.

The Busy Mother's Guide To Sewing Children's Clothes - Nancy Coburn

This book has been around since 1985 but is still the best.  It is perfect for beginners as everything you need to know about sewing garments (smocked and heirloom sewn) is here.  Includes more than 25 basic yoke variations, 18 collar variations and 19 sleeve variations.  Also has instructions for the construction of the basic yoke dress and the smocked Bishop dress.  Includes methods to prevent a "turtle-neck" and 3 easy bishop plackets.  It has some of the best clearly written detailed instructions with 215 illustrations and 103 photographs.  Using this book and the matching Basic Square Yoke Dress pattern you can make as many dresses as you like without fear of repeating yourself.

A must have for every sewing smockers library.

Price $20.00
Quantity requested    

Nancy Coburn is the designer for Ginger Snaps Designs Smocking and Heirloom Sewing Patterns as well as a wonderful series of beginning heirloom sewing books.  You can see all of her patterns and books on this page:

Ginger Snaps Designs

The Art of Manipulating Fabric by Collette Wolff

Some define creativity as the art of constantly asking "What if...?" and then experimenting to answer the question. If that is a good definition, then the author is incredibly creative! This is an encyclopedic treatment of the possibilities of manipulating fabric. Categories include gathering, shirring, ruffles, flounces, godets, pleating, smocking, tucking, and more. Each category is organized and explored in great detail. Graphs are very clear, but the greatest inspiration comes from the photographs of the actual manipulations, all of the samples were stitched in white muslin to be as clear as possible. This is truly a must-have.

The How-To-Book of Heirloom Sewing by Machine by Nancy Coburn

Finally a book to replace the Mildred Turner Series.  Nancy's books are wonderful with her detailed descriptions as well as clear photographs for each technique included.  If you are a raw beginner then this is the book for you.  Included are a checklist for construction steps, instructions for adapting commercial patterns for heirloom sewing, size guidelines and adjustments (ever wonder how to do this?), fabric and lace guidelines, basic heirloom sewing by machine techniques, sewing techniques, bodice and yoke embellishment, skirt embellishment, hemline variations, neckline variations, sleeve variations.

Also include on the pull out sheet are beautiful embroidery designs to transfer over to your fabric either using a mechanical pencil or iron-on transfer pencil, scallop guides, medallion templates and lace shaping guides as well as a worksheet for planning your heirloom dress.

Temporarily out of print

Embroidered Christening Gowns - Country Bumpkin Publications

Wow! This book has them all.  Every gown you have ever drooled over in Inspirations Magazine is included in this special edition by Country Bumpkin Publications. This will be in print only for a short while so get it while you can. Within the pages of this beautifully photographed book are eight unique and exquisite garments, perfect for christening, naming or blessing celebrations. Excellent clear instruction and more than 300 step-by-step photographs bring these wonderful designs within the grasp of all sewing enthusiasts, whatever their level of expertise.   144 pages. Full size patterns. While the book is out of print we have several copies left.

Price $34.95
Quantity requested    

Classic Smocking Designs - $13.50

Ten Superb Geometric Smocking Designs suitable for all levels of smockers, all taken from the early and no longer available issues of Australian Smocking and Embroidery magazine.  Each design has full color photographs, graphing in full color to make it easy to understand as well as complete simple instructions. Once again I am impressed. If you were to buy the individual plates the cost would be over $30.00.  The designs included are:

• Marshmallow Ripples
• Butterfly Blue
• Symphony of Roses
• Dreamscape
• Sweet Whispers
• Dear Prudence
• Precious Angel
• Forever Young
• Unrequited Love
• Fairy Floss