Handmade Smocked Dresses

English smocking is a beautiful needleart that is especially suitable for making children's clothing.  The patterns for  smocked garments are designed to include extra fabric in the area that is to be smocked. The fabric is pleated by hand with a needle and thread or with a pleating machine, usually at the upper bodice section of the garment  The pleated section becomes the canvas for the needle and carefully chosen colors of thread.  Lovely patterns are sewn through the pleats, and in many cases, pictures are embroidered with the smocking stitches.  When the smocking stitches are completed, then the garment is sewn together in the usual way.  At last, the pleating threads are removed, but the gathers are held together with the smocking embroidery.  The effect is beautiful!  Take a look at some hand smocked clothing examplesof hand smocked children's clothing to judge this art for yourself.