https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-smocking-vs-shirring Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:10:37 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-smocking-vs-shirring#post-2258881 Mon, 11 Apr 2022 22:48:04 +0000 Helena 2258881@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>ND, not the answer to your question, but I really think you DO need this dress (Queen Orange!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-smocking-vs-shirring#post-2258764 Sun, 10 Apr 2022 21:41:58 +0000 Rejoiceandbe 2258764@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My grandma's smocking lessons were similar and at a similar age. She enjoyed the embroidery parts of dressmaking but not so much the rest of the construction. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-smocking-vs-shirring#post-2258462 Fri, 08 Apr 2022 18:35:44 +0000 Gaylene 2258462@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It’s fascinating how clothing evolves throughout the ages. If anyone else &nbsp;is as interested as I am, here’s a brief overview of how a working class, masculine undergarment evolved into a dainty dress worn by little girls.&nbsp;</p> <p> <div><a rel="nofollow" href="https://charlottesydimby.com/blogs/news/the-history-of-smocks">https://charlottesydimby.com/b.....-of-smocks</a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>Smocks </b>(a loosely fitting, square -shaped garment usually pulled over the head)<b>&nbsp;</b></i>and <i>smocking</i>— go back hundreds of years, while <i>shirring</i> is a relatively recent technique which owes its origin to the invention and mass production of elastic thread around the 1900s.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>Smocking</b></i> is a decorative, but labor intensive, means of pleating fabric using embroidery stitches. The result allows for a degree of stretch because the fabric folds retain some movement depending on the size and type of embroidery stitch. While the main purpose is to hold pleats in place, the embroidery designs and stitches used in smocking can be quite decorative and are mostly done by hand.&nbsp; </p> <p><i><b>Shirring</b></i> is much faster since it is basically just a straight seam which uses elastic thread instead of a conventional spun thread. The stretch comes from tension placed on the elastic thread as the seam is stitched; as soon as the tension is released, the elastic reverts back to its normal length forming pleats in the fabric. Several closely spaced rows of stitching give that shirred panel effect which provides shaping the desired area of a loose garment. Decorative shirring is done by using different machine stitches and different colors of elastic thread. Since elastic thread can break more easily than spun thread, most shirred garments are made of lightweight fabric. A loose fitting garment like a smock is a perfect candidate for shirring since the shirring can add shape to the garment in desired areas.&nbsp;</p> <p>So, Angie’s dress IS a smock dress which uses shirring for shaping. The $$$ little girl’s dress worn by Princess Charlotte, though, is &nbsp;a smock dress with smocking used for both shaping and decorative effect. &nbsp;</p> <p><i><b>Addendum</b></i>: &nbsp;While I suspect very few YLFer would care, after having to learn how to smock under the eagle eye of my dressmaker grandmama at the tender age of seven, I’m horrified that anyone would equate that finger-pricking, tedious embroidery work with the “takes-less-than-minute” machine shirring seam. My inner seven-year-old is still wounded… ;)</p> <p> </div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-smocking-vs-shirring#post-2258388 Fri, 08 Apr 2022 02:59:56 +0000 Anonymous 2258388@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have personally only seen smocking done with embroidery thread. Here’s a helpful article I found.</p> <p><a href="https://www.seamwork.com/articles/a-guide-to-elastic-shirring" rel="nofollow">https://www.seamwork.com/artic.....c-shirring</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-smocking-vs-shirring#post-2258371 Fri, 08 Apr 2022 01:11:39 +0000 Jaime 2258371@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also called those clothing protective capes smocks Tina. But no smocking or shirring to be seen. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-smocking-vs-shirring#post-2258370 Fri, 08 Apr 2022 01:03:49 +0000 JamC 2258370@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My comment is off topic….cjh love the photos of patterns you used! But check out the size…Size 10, bust 32 1/2. That would be a size 0 today! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-smocking-vs-shirring#post-2258368 Fri, 08 Apr 2022 00:55:07 +0000 cjh 2258368@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tina, when I was a senior in high school, 1971-72, smock dresses were the style. The definition I would use is that they have a yoke that ends above the bust with the lower front gathered or pleated on to that, or the fitting is above the bust with gathers or pleats, but not a fitted bodice of full or empire cut. &nbsp;</p> <div><br /></div><div>I made several, some from the attached patterns. Pattern 1, center version, was made in a pale lilac with a subtle woven stripe. The belt I found at the local department store was a suede strip with tasseled ties, perfectly matched in color. Pattern 2 was made with a navy and white floral outline print and the sleeve ruffles, as in the far right version, were navy and white gingham. Pattern 3 was the center version in pink and white seersucker stripes, worn with pink shorts because it was very short! I do not still have these patterns, by the way.<div><br /></div><div>In 1980, I shortened them even more and wore all as maternity tops.&nbsp;</div></div><div><br /></div><div>(Using this definition of smock dress, Angie’s doesn’t qualify. I would say hers is smocked, or shirred, but not a smock dress.)</div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-smocking-vs-shirring#post-2258361 Thu, 07 Apr 2022 22:59:58 +0000 rachylou 2258361@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think of shirring as pleats sewn straight across. Smocking I think of as pleats stitched together at different points, varried points. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-smocking-vs-shirring#post-2258360 Thu, 07 Apr 2022 22:56:00 +0000 Tina 2258360@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Growing up, a smock was a loose-fitting top worn to protect my clothing from art projects or gardening. Some I had tied in the back like an apron but covered the front completely. I know that's different from smocking, but since Angie's dress is described as a "smock," that memory popped into my head. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Did anyone else have art smocks? I think I've seen canvas versions for gardening or chores, but they were now called chore aprons. <br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-smocking-vs-shirring#post-2258357 Thu, 07 Apr 2022 22:42:04 +0000 nuancedream 2258357@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How interesting! Like you, I can't tell the difference between smocking and shirring. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-smocking-vs-shirring#post-2258356 Thu, 07 Apr 2022 22:35:29 +0000 Angie 2258356@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The description of my own dress confuses the issue too:</p> <p><i>"This <b>smock</b> dress will become a staple in your spring-summer wardrobe. It's cut to a regular fit, with a classic square neckline and a flattering <b>shirred </b>bodice".&nbsp;</i></p> <p><i>A SMOCKED dress with a SHIRRED bodice ;)</i></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-smocking-vs-shirring#post-2258347 Thu, 07 Apr 2022 22:10:42 +0000 Angie 2258347@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nice dress! Beautiful in Seattle today :)</p> <p>Some retailers use smocking and shirring interchangeably, and I do too. I don't see enough of a difference. Both techniques can create stretch, gather fullness, and create a flexible fit.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Some believe that shirring uses elastic thread, while smocking does not. That smocking is embroidery, and shirring is not embriodery. But smocking creates an elasticated effect, and my smocked items are elasticated. The difference is more than blurred, these days!</p> <p>Apparently the machine techniques are different - but visually, I see a big similarity.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-smocking-vs-shirring#post-2258337 Thu, 07 Apr 2022 21:29:51 +0000 nuancedream 2258337@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Please explain the difference between smocking and shirring. i am considering purchasing the this M &amp; S dress that has puff sleeves and shirred cuffs. Like I need another orange patterned dress...LOL! </p>