In this class you will learn to make your own smock shirt or dress completely by hand (no machine necessary!).

You will learn what sewing kit you need, how to choose the right fabric, how to measure yourself, how to cut your pieces and all the stitches and smocking techniques you need to create this beautiful garment. You can make the garment for yourself or for a little one.

This gorgeous piece is in the style of a Traditional Sussex Smock, as worn and made in England in the good ol’ days. But I’m bringing it back!

You will need a basic sewing kit, which is simple and affordable ( I’ll show you what you need to buy ) and woven fabric to make your garment.

When you learn to sew by hand, you learn a practical art of slow living. Learning how to sew helps you cultivate patience and enter a state of flow.

This class is for anyone who would love to make a treasured piece of clothing by hand, for themself or a special little one in their life.

No Experience Necessary - All of our ancestors sewed, so it's in our ancestral memory, you might be surprised how quickly you pick up this beautiful skill!

Let’s get sewing!

About Your Teacher

Hello My Name is Laura and I’m a Folk Singer and Seamstress. I design and sew my own clothing for myself and my son, and have made him a selection of sweet handmade toys. Sewing has brought me so much peace and fun so I just have to share the skill with my community.

You Will Need

Watch Lesson 2 in Hand Sew a Gathered Skirt

+ Woven Fabric (Linen or cotton preferred) - 1 metre for baby/child, 2 metres for adult. Please wash in advance. I recommend watching the class on measuring and choosing fabric before you buying your fabric.

+ Thread in matching colour of your fabric, Contrasting coloured thread for gathering It’s also recommended that your gathering thread is a bit thicker/stronger so it doesn’t snap when you gather.

+ Embroidery Thread for Smocking - DMC sell lovely cotton threads

+ 6 Buttons I love wooden buttons

+ Reference Garment - Please bring a shirt and jacket which fit you, or the little one you are making the piece for

+ Needles -small ones for hand sewing and a slightly bigger one for gathering (see Lesson 2 Gathered Skirt for examples)

+ Tape measure - For measuring yourself and your fabric

+ Fabric Marker - Tailors chalk or iron off pen. I personally love a heat erasable pen, then you can iron your marks off when you've finished sewing

+ Good scissors - Fabric scissors need to be sharp and the golden rule is only use your fabric scissors to cut fabric

+ Calculator - To do some basic maths for working out your rectangle sizes

+ Thimble - To protect your fingers whilst sewing

+ Notebook - Hand write your measurements, and draw your cutting plan, or use a notebook app on your device

+ Seam Ripper / Unpicker - To unpick mistakes

Heather and Hops Knitting

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