I’ve seen some questions in various Facebook groups asking how to achieve nice flat threads when smocking.  So while I was working on a dress for my granddaughter, I thought I would take some close up photos to illustrate how the stitches should look.

 

I’m using three strands of floss here and they are laying side by side.

But how do you do this if your needle is making a small round hole that squeezes the threads together?

First, make sure the threads are positioned side by side on the SIDE of the pleat as shown below.  If they aren’t now is the time to separate the strands and position them.

 

Second, as you insert the needle into the next pleat and pull the strands through, make sure the strands are in the correct position on each side of the pleat.

 

In the photo above, the threads are correct going into the pleat and coming out of the pleat.  They are not twisted.  This way the strands will stay flat as they lay over the top of the two pleats.

For a Trellis Stitch, the same principle applies.  In the photo below, the strands are flat coming up from the side of the pleat.  They are also flat going into and out of the nex pleat.

 

 

It’s also helpful to shape the Trellis Stitch because it is a slanted stitch and should look symmetrical to the surrounding Trellis Stitches.  Insert your needle as shown below as you pull your threads through the pleat. When the threads are laying over the pleats, you can use the eye of your needle to nudge them a little.

 

 

That’s all there is to it.  I’ve discovered that the way to avoid the bunching and twisting is to “nip it in the bud” as they say.  That means to be aware and as soon as you see a twist or bunching, stop and separate the floss and put the strands where they should be.

Happy Stitching!