155 Smocking Designs [Paperback]

Theresa Santoso (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2000

“Smocking has been revived as the interest in hand-decorated surfaces increases...Page after page of patterns...each with color graph photograph of finished design, and written directions... include(s) pointers on fabrics, stitch instructions, and symbols....Patterns reflect popular favorites, holidays, and ease of implementation. Easter becomes an egg; animals include domestic and wild; and fruits, vegetables, toys, and people showcase familiar objects—apples, hyacinths, bicycles, and more.”—Booklist.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Once a forgotten art, smocking has been revived as the interest in hand-decorated surfaces increases. Now, the emphasis on Indian embroidery and beribboned clothes paves the way for pleated fabrics with object-oriented stitching. With very little fanfare, Santoso simply provides page after page of patterns, each with color graph, photograph of the finished design, and written directions. (The short preface, by the way, does include pointers on fabrics, stitch instructions, and symbols. But don't expect massive how-tos on the actual smocking process.) Patterns reflect popular favorites, holidays, and ease of implementation. Easter becomes an egg; animals include domestic and wild; and fruits, vegetables, toys, and people showcase familiar objects--apples, hyacinths, bicycles, and more. Barbara Jacobs --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

The author lives in Virginia Beach, VA.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (August 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806922508
• ISBN-13: 978-0806922508
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,299,609 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice reference book, January 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: 155 Smocking Designs (Hardcover)

This book is a nice library of basic patterns. It's nice to have on hand if you need to put a garment together for a holiday and you don't have a particular plate in mind. It is also a nice starting point for designing your own, more complex designs. Most of the books I've found on smocking have weird, abstract designs or the fashions in them are hopelessly out-of-date. This is a refreshing change.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Pattern/Plate resource, October 29, 2002

By 

DeNae Leverentz "Toadnae" (Brooklyn Park, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 155 Smocking Designs (Paperback)

I really enjoy this book. The plates are clear and easy to read. The breadth of pictures in the picture smocking areas is incredible. I do wish it had more geometric patterns, though. This book has been a great resource for choosing elements to combine into my own designs.

One warning -- I do NOT like the color choices made for the photographs at all. However, I've never yet used the colors specified in a smocking pattern or plate.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars worth the money, November 6, 2011

By 

julbuz - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 155 Smocking Designs (Hardcover)

I am very pleased with the book I recently purchased titled 155 Smocking Deisigns. The binding is library quality and is like new and the pages have great color. The designs are a combination of geometric, floral, animals, people, & toys with easy to follow directions and pictures/plates. I have smocked three of the designs so far and all have turned out beautifully. Lots of ideas in one book!