Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 September 2022, Smocking with Lu Flux

14:00 - 17:00 BST (British Summer Time)

Hosted by Lu Flux

Smocks are one of the most traditional forms of British dress. Worn by rural labourers and typically embroidered to illustrate their individual trade, the smock’s functional design and intricate embroidery were created to be passed down through the generations. While the industrial revolution ended the role of the smock in working peoples’ lives, they have become valuable historical pieces and the smocking technique continues to be used and valued for its craftsmanship, beauty and practicality.

Lu Flux is a clothing designer who makes heirloom garments using vintage, natural and organic cloth. Each item is individually hand cut and embellished with traditional techniques including smocking, patchwork and embroidery to produce unique, wearable garments.

Lu lives and works in the Kent countryside. 

Outline of the workshop
During this workshop, Lu will teach you how to make and embroider a traditional English smocking sampler. 

In the first session you will learn about the history and tradition of smocking, exploring examples from Lu’s personal collection of vintage smocked garments as well as pieces from Lu Flux.  You will then be guided how to pleat the fabric by hand to prepare for the embroidery, using plain linen and gingham which will be provided beforehand in the course materials.

In the second session you will learn a selection of traditional hand embroidery stitches to apply over your pleating including outline, cable, wave and diamond stitch. 

You will leave this workshop with a traditional smocking sampler and the knowledge to apply traditional smocking techniques to your own projects.  

This workshop is open to all levels. 

A material pack will be sent to participants in advance of the workshop containing the following materials:

• Plain linen fabric
• Gingham fabric
• Chalk pencil
• Smocking and embroidery needles
• Pleating thread
• Embroidery thread
• Chart of smocking stitches
  

Participants will need to provide: 

• Small needlework scissors
• Ruler or measuring tape for plotting smocking dots

Please note: material packs are shipped on an insured, trackable delivery service. Any customs duties, delays, lost or undeliverable packages are the responsibility of the customer. Once a material pack leaves the workshop tutors' hands with a tracking number, the seller has no further obligation to the buyer.

Workshop Cancellation Policy
All places reserved on workshops are non-refundable, however, if you let us know you are not able to make a workshop you have booked at least two weeks prior to the event, we will offer a credit note.

If you require additional information about this workshop please contact Catherine Harris, events@selvedge.org.