A-Z of Smocking

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Smocking Instruction Book
Review: This is an excellent book for smockers. It's clear and concise and beautifully illustrated -- a great resource.

Rating:
Summary: possibly the world's only perfect smocking manual
Review: This is the book I should have had when I learned to smock six years ago. This is also a book I can use and learn from for many years to come.

Published by Country Bumpkin (of Inspirations and AS&E Magazines), A-Z of Smocking is a true reference manual for all levels of smocking. IT features a spiral-bound format - something rare but highly appreciated by anyone who actually attempts to use how-to books. The subjects covered include fabrics, preparation, pleating, needles, threads and over 50 stitches; issues like backsmocking, inserting, color choices, buttonholes in pleats, smocking on knits, picture smocking, geometric smocking, counterchange techniques, freeform smocking...and much more than I can mention in a short book review. There are frequently Hint boxes accompanying each subject. Everything is presented in clear, step-by-step layouts that leave little room for misinterpretation.

Unlike most reference manuals, it is gorgeous. A-Z of Smocking also features quality photos and whimsical artwork on nearly every page: in fact, the same photographs from AS&E Magazine's past issues. This book is everything you might expect from the makers of that attractive publication.

I would suggest getting one for yourself regardless of your level of smocking expertise. You never know when you'll have one of those distracted moments when you forget a stitch or technique. And if you are ever inspired to give a pleater as a gift to a beginner, it would make the ideal companion gift!
-Andrea, aka Merribelle

Rating:
Summary: possibly the world's only perfect smocking manual
Review: This is the book I should have had when I learned to smock six years ago. This is also a book I can use and learn from for many years to come.

Published by Country Bumpkin (of Inspirations and AS&E Magazines), A-Z of Smocking is a true reference manual for all levels of smocking. IT features a spiral-bound format - something rare but highly appreciated by anyone who actually attempts to use how-to books. The subjects covered include fabrics, preparation, pleating, needles, threads and over 50 stitches; issues like backsmocking, inserting, color choices, buttonholes in pleats, smocking on knits, picture smocking, geometric smocking, counterchange techniques, freeform smocking...and much more than I can mention in a short book review. There are frequently Hint boxes accompanying each subject. Everything is presented in clear, step-by-step layouts that leave little room for misinterpretation.

Unlike most reference manuals, it is gorgeous. A-Z of Smocking also features quality photos and whimsical artwork on nearly every page: in fact, the same photographs from AS&E Magazine's past issues. This book is everything you might expect from the makers of that attractive publication.

I would suggest getting one for yourself regardless of your level of smocking expertise. You never know when you'll have one of those distracted moments when you forget a stitch or technique. And if you are ever inspired to give a pleater as a gift to a beginner, it would make the ideal companion gift!
-Andrea, aka Merribelle