Technique

Fabric manipulation/ smocking is an embroidery technique used to gather fabric for stretching and decorative purposes.

Relevant materials
– Fabric: Felt, polyester…
– Sewing needle
– Sewing machine
– Threads

Process

Reflection:

• Therapeutic experience: To actually see the fabric come into shape/form is quite satisfying although the process is tedious.
• For the type 1 smocking technique, it was difficult to keep the fold size consistent because the sewing is done on the opposite side of the fabric.
• Additionally the fabric is harder to manipulate when the grids are smaller (based of smocking pattern) .
• For the type 2 smocking technique, an adequate border between the sewing line and the edge should be left, so that when it is completed, the exposed edges can be tucked and hidden inside the form created (dumpling shaped).