PICTURE SMOCKING
 
Picture Smocking is a form of smocking where pictures are embroidered on the pleats with Cable Stitches. The term "Stacked Cables" is used to refer to rows of Cable Stitches worked adjacent to each other, so that the rows touch each other. This picture shows a heart stitched in Stacked Cable Stitches. The smocking thread should fill the shape - no fabric should show between the stitches.
 
 
Hints:
  • Use 4 strands of floss for extra fullness, and use a #7 crewel or darner needle.
  • The design should use 4-5 rows of cable stitches per pleating row.
  • The rows of adjacent cable stitches need to mirror each other - the Up Cable of one row covers the same two pleats as the Down Cable of the next row.
  • When the design has a vertical edge, sometimes it requires making a "Half Cable" stitch. This stitch is made just like a regular Cable Stitch, but don't pick up a new pleat, and only cover one pleat with the stitch instead of two.