Sew Beautiful Magazine

* This article can be found in Sew Beautiful Issue #112, May / June 2007 *
For a printable PDF version of this article, click here

DESIGN: Picture Smocking, a Sew Beautiful Classic

IN THE ARTICLE
• Smocking Graph
• Smocking Instructions
• Floss List

FLOSS LIST
• DMC Six-Strand Embroidery Cotton

Watermelon		#817 v dk coral red #910 dk emerald green #966 md baby green
Strawberry		#350 md coral #562 md jade
Hot dog		#801 brown #422 lt hazelnut brown #725 md lt topaz #817 v dk coral red
Grass		#966 md baby green
Ants		#310 black
Backsmock		white

By Ginger Bradley

This whimsical plate captures all the fun of a summer picnic complete with the little black creatures that make eating outings a challenge. When we thumbed through past issues of Sew Beautiful magazine, this design stood out as one of our all-time favorites. It originally appeared in our Summer 1995 issue, which is no longer available. The picture plate shown here was restitched by Linda Richards for photography. In celebration of our 20th anniversary, we present it to you again, along with a machine embroidery design. Click here to download embroidery designs!

INSTRUCTIONS
This design is worked over 148 pleats. Refer to graph for correct color and figure placement. Backsmock Rows 1 through 10 with two strands of white floss.

1. For top border, start on Row 1-1/2 in center of fabric on 74th pleat with an up cable. Cable across to right side fabric. Return to center pleat, turn upside down and finish this cable row. Return to center; stitch three cables, referring to graph.
2. For bottom border, start on Row 9-1/2 in center of fabric with a down cable. Cable across to right side of fabric. Return to center pleat, turn upside down and finish this cable row. Return to center and stitch three cables, referring to graph.
3. For watermelon, begin on Row 5 on the 16th pleat from left side of fabric, with an up cable. Stitch 31 cables noting color changes; turn and complete lower portion of watermelon, referring to graph. Return to the cable row directly above starting point to complete upper part of watermelon.

4. For strawberry, begin on Row 5, on 62nd pleat from left side of fabric, with a down cable. Stitch 11 cables. Turn and complete lower part of strawberry, referring to graph. Return to cable row directly above starting point to complete upper part of strawberry.
5. For hot dog, begin on Row 5 on the 90th pleat from left side of fabric, with an up cable. Stitch 33 cables. Turn and complete upper part of hot dog, referring to graph.
6. Ants are three French knots, two strands of floss. The top is

wrapped three times, middle is wrapped two times, bottom is wrapped five times. Arms and legs are a single straight stitches with one strand of floss. Hands and feet are single-strand French knots wrapped twice.
7. Watermelon seeds are three-strand lazy daisies.
8. Strawberry leaves are three-strand lazy daisies.
9. Grass is an outline stitch with three strands of floss. It may be helpful to draw a line first under the ants’ feet, with chalk or a water-soluble marker. -SB

For a printable PDF version of this article, click here