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| Canadian Smocking |
Does
the mention of smocking bring to mind the complicated stitches and pleats that
look so beautiful when finished? How about the other equipment: ‘plates’,
pleating tool, and various other things needed in English Smocking?
Not
for me. Much as I admired the skill this is one needle and thread activity I
didn’t attempt. Then I stumbled on a video on YouTube on Canadian Smocking.
WOW! This wasn’t new! According to sources, this was a popular art along the
time I was in college so I would have been focused on studies…and um…the male
population. Not another needle craft.
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| Texture...aka Character |
The
video I found was by a British TV presenter, Debbie Shore. With fabric, a
ruler, marking pen, needle and thread, you can create a beautiful pillow or
other project. I was fascinated. Think…distraction activity…as mentioned in
another post. But how does Canadian Smocking relate to writing except to take
you away from your work?
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| Design...aka Plot |
With
a few tools you can draw a grid [or use gingham fabric] and create a pillow.
Same as in writing when you start with an idea or premise and create a story.
Also your project is simple as in KISS…keep it simple, says the experts. Keep
your goal in focus.
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| Wrong side...aka...inner journey |
And
here’s another fact that caught my attention. Many of the designs are as beautiful
on the inside as on the outside. Are you thinking story goal and inner journey?
Look at this perfectly plain piece of gingham. Add a few stitches and you have
these flowers on the backside. With a few pearls sewn in the center, or using
Satin fabric, the flower is beautiful. And on the front side…simple red and
white checks become dramatic. Makes me think of Christmas and peppermint candy,
and gives us another reminder that characters should always change.
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| Right side...aka...story goal |
One
of my favorite designs was on a video by a Brazilian TV presenter. The guest on
multiple shows was the same talented artist.
I don’t speak the language but after watching the British TV host
multiple times I was able to mute the sound and pick up the design by watching.
This too relates to our writing. Our stories should have a Universal Theme…a
message that reaches across language barriers.
Canadian
Smocking can add texture and design to an ordinary piece of fabric. Let your
story turn ordinary characters into people we want to spend time with and get
to know.
Do
you remember seeing pillows made by Canadian Smocking or North American
Smocking as some sources label it?
I've seen pillows like these, but didn't know what what they were called. You just inspired me to try to add the little extra bits that take my characters out of the ordinary. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I've seen pillows like this in the past. I like the way you paralleled writing
ReplyDeleteLove the pillows and the connection with writing. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanh you, Sandy, Kathye, and Fran for taking time to comment. Headaches forced me to take a break from the computer screen, but my mind was on writing.
ReplyDeleteLovely post, Carol. I have distant memories of my mother doing this kind of smocking. Not sure about pillows, but I know she made at least one dress for (baby) me with a smocked front. I like the writing connection!
ReplyDeleteThat's great, Cheryl. I've always admired smocked baby clothes but never mastered the art. Thanks for posting.
DeleteCarol, how fascinating--and I'd love to give it a try. I might check out the You tube videos for details. My big deterrent, though, is guilt. I love to crochet, but every time I do, I feel I should be writing instead. As always, life is a balancing act, right?
ReplyDeleteYou are so right and I know about the guilt. I've found I can only operate on one 'creative' channel at a time! LOL
DeleteThanks for posting.
Hi Carol--
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful post! Your pillows are gorgeous works of art. I especially like your thoughts on the "wrong side" of a pillow being a metaphor for a character's inner journey, and the "right side" a metaphor for the story goal.
Victoria--
Thank you, Victoria!
DeleteReally appreciate you taking time to comment.
Wow, Carol, these are fabulous! You are very, very talented! Hugs xxxx
ReplyDelete