ˈsmocking, vbl. n.
[f. smock v. 4.]
The action of gathering and working a garment after the fashion of a smock-frock; the ornamental pattern so formed.
| 1888 Bow Bells 9 Mar., This was..shaped by means of the ‘honeycombing’ or ‘smocking’. 1890 Daily News 27 Nov. 2/4 Smocking is still largely used for the yokes. 1916 T. Eaton & Co. Catal. Spring & Summer 23/1 Shoulder yoke with neat smocking trims both sides of the front. 1934 A. M. Miall Compl. Needlecraft 92 Smocking is a special favourite for children's clothes. 1961 A. Liley Craft of Embroidery iv. 174 Smocking generally takes up three times as much fabric as the final width required. 1964 McCall's Sewing xiii. 242/1 The same smocking stitches can be used in both types of smocking. 1976 P. Clabburn Needleworker's Dict. 245/2 (caption) Smocking: detail of a child's dress, English, 1930. |