Hi there everyone! I’m Cheryl of Muppin.com, and I’m a quilter and author of the DVD Heirloom Sewing Techniques for Today’s Quilter. I’m super excited to show you my latest quilt using 9 different smocking techniques.
Lately I’ve been fascinated with using heirloom clothing techniques in my quilts, such as smocking, gathers, pin tucks, and pleats. I love texture, and I love to raise the surface of my quilts.
For this project I used some gorgeous iridescent Dupioni silk instead of quilting cottons. I liked this silk because it’s woven like a traditional quilting fabric, but also because it’s woven with two different colors, so it has a wonderful iridescence to it. The silk is nice and crisp, and it shows off the texture beautifully.
I start by drawing the grid on the back of my fabric (or pick a side to be the back, if your fabric is reversible) with my Smocking Template. The template comes with one pattern, and you can get the rest of the patterns from Muppin.com. I used all 8 available patterns and included one I’m working on that’s not out yet.
After you mark your pattern on the grid, each design was worked the exact same way. You connect the corners of the marked boxes with a small stitch.
It’s hard to believe that all of these patterns, even the very curvy ones, started off with a simple grid on the back! It’s relaxing work, which I do in front of the TV.
Once my pieces were smocked, I inserted them into my project like any other quilt block. Then I quilted it with a basic meander pattern so I didn’t take away from the beautiful smocked pieces.
Love your beautiful quilt! The silk really makes these techniques shine. (See what I did there?) haha
I’m interested in the cross over of heirloom techniques in nontraditional ways! You certainly got me thinking Cheryl! Thanks for the great post & inspiration.
I love Dupioni silk, great idea using it instead of quilting cottons
What a gorgeous idea. I love to smock and now have a great idea for my daughter. She’s getting married in Italy next spring and I’m sewing her wedding gown of Duoioni silk. Now I can smock her an heirloom pillow out of her gown fabric. Just got a new Bernina machine as well and am cleaning out my sewing room. All I need now is your smocking template and I’m all set. Maybe I’lll even make her a night gown of silk charmeuse and smock that! Thanks.
awesome!!
Absolutely beautiful work! The interest to element and the tricky designs in these heirloom smocked quilts are without a doubt inspiring. Each piece feels like a testomony to each artistry and tradition. Thank you for sharing this lovely craft and imparting such treasured insights into heirloom smocking for quilting. It’s a satisfaction to see the ardour and know-how showcased here!