Rosalind Atkins - Smocking and Dorset Buttons Smoking


Traditional English Smocking - History
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used since the late 18th century for the production of practical, working garments in rural areas of Britain.
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developed as a functional method of holding fullness whilst allowing some elasticity for ease of movement.
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adds thickness to the garment, making it hard wearing and weather resistant.
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latterly used for classic infants and young children's clothing.
English Smocking
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decorative technique of surface embroidery where stitches are worked in rows on a pre-pleated fabric, each stitch picking up just the top of every pleat.
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each stitch is essentially a back stitch, making the work strong and resilient.
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skilled procedure requiring precision and patience.
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gives rich textural quality.
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can be worked in one colour, as traditional for smocks, or patterns can be built up using many colours and stitches.

Traditional Smocks
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I have over 30 years experience of smocking.
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I make traditional smocks to order, often basing my designs on existing garments.
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there are three main styles of smock: the round smock which is completely reversible, it was turned around if one side got soiled; the coat style, with a fully buttoned front opening and the hybrid, placket front with a short buttoned opening. For examples please see images in my portfolio.
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all smocks are hand embroidered with Dorset feather stitch panels beside the smocking and finished with hand worked Dorset buttons.
Contemporary Smocking
I sell a range of items featuring smocking from hair clips to covered photograph albums and sketchbooks and rag dolls, see below for examples.

Kits
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Kits available for a postcard sampler to have a go yourself.

![]() Hand smocked silk hair clips | ![]() Wedding accessories - hand smocked ring cushion and essential smocked silk clutch bag | ![]() Hand smocked cotton special occasion baby bib and new born size socks with smocked cuffs |
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![]() Hand smocked silk postcard sampler with beads and kit to have a go yourself | ![]() Photograph albums with hand smocked silk covers and a smocked lidded trinket box |