Seeking: agricultural style English smocks

Subject: Folklore: Smocks
From: GUEST,Plough Bullocker
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 04:42 PM

Does anyone know of a source of agricultural style English smocks? Any help/advice greatly received.

I thank you

Subject: RE: Folklore: Smocks
From: ClaireBear
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 04:59 PM

Found a site here (click on the word "here"). Wish I lived in the UK so I could acquire one myself. Perhaps I'll hunt up some instructions and become a U.S. purveyor. (Idle daydream only -- in my dreams I'll ever have that much spare time!)

Hope that helps.

Claire

Subject: RE: Folklore: Smocks
From: BB
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 05:33 PM

There's another one here
- don't be put off by the fact that it seems to indicate only children's clothing. Our local museum has just had an agricultural-style one made for a display, and it is absolutely beautifully done.

If you become a Mudcat member, or give your e-mail address, I can send you the actual name and phone no. of the person who made it, and you could discuss your requirements with her.

Barbara

Subject: RE: Seeking: agricultural style English smocks
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 06:01 PM

If you google "farmer's smock", there are various party costume suppliers who can get you one (though not nearly so lovely as those in the other links provided).

Here's one made to order: click

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Seeking: agricultural style English smocks
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 11:38 AM

I strongly suspect the original request had to do with the farmer's smock, as Desert Dancer's link, rather that the dainty garments with "smocking" (which is a horse of a whole 'nother color) referred by ClaireBear and BB.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Seeking: agricultural style English smocks
From: ClaireBear
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 12:48 PM

No Dave, the site I linked to did have a "Reproduction Farmers Smock" on offer. It's the first thing on the page, and there's an additional picture of someone wearing one at the bottom of the page with the caption "This adult sized garment is an exhibition piece based on a front opening Farmers smock."

Sorry to quibble, but I don't like to be perceived as someone who would suggest "dainty garments" in place of true agricultural garb. Farmer's smocks are indeed smocked -- sometimes exquisitely so (see this page) -- , but they are nonetheless work clothing. The primary reason for the smocking is to provide the wearer with greater comfort: Smocked fabric will stretch as the person wearing it moves due to the way the gathering stitches are spaced.

C

Subject: RE: Seeking: agricultural style English smocks
From: BB
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 03:57 PM

As I stated, Dave, I've seen the result of an agricultural-style one made by the person I recommended - you'd be hard-pushed to tell it from a 'real' one!

Do read my post properly before you criticise!

Barbara

Subject: RE: Seeking: agricultural style English smocks
From: Micca
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 04:45 PM

Liz the Squeak made one for a Giant some years ago there is a pic Here she may be able to help with suggestions as she is still in touch with her Dorset Roots.

Subject: RE: Seeking: agricultural style English smocks
From: Penny S.
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 05:05 PM

Somewhere I have a book with instructions for making one. But I haven't seen it for years. It, was, I think, produced by a publisher called Dryad.

Penny

Subject: RE: Seeking: agricultural style English smocks
From: Penny S.
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 05:10 PM

Smock books

This has a number for sale.

Penny

Subject: RE: Seeking: agricultural style English smocks
From: Penny S.
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 05:12 PM

Searching for "Dryad smock" throws up several links.

Penny

Subject: RE: Seeking: agricultural style English smocks
From: GUEST,Simon
Date: 06 May 10 - 09:32 AM

http://www.gtj.org.uk/en/small/item/GTJ01772/
Here is a good picture of one.

Subject: RE: Seeking: agricultural style English smocks
From: Bettynh
Date: 06 May 10 - 01:14 PM

Patterns for traditional smocks are here

Subject: RE: Seeking: agricultural style English smocks
From: LadyJean
Date: 06 May 10 - 10:47 PM

Check out Piecework Magazine. I'll bet one or two of the back issues have articles on English smocks. Oh, and I think there's a Folkwear pattern for them.

Subject: RE: Seeking: agricultural style English smocks
From: Cuilionn
Date: 06 May 10 - 10:58 PM

Amazon Drygoods carries patterns from several different historical/ethnic pattern specialists. They may have what you're seeking. Go to http://www.amazondrygoods.com/

Subject: RE: Seeking: agricultural style English smocks
From: GUEST,Geoffrey
Date: 16 Dec 11 - 04:13 PM

I have 2 pre 1850 English farmers smocks,both hand made by my Grandmother,and Great Grandmother,both are reversible linen items with extensive excuisite smocking and matching original mother of pearl buttons.1 is in superb original condition and has been examined in detail by The museum of English Rural Life at Reading University and they are of the opinion that it is one of the finest they have seen and that it is very unlikely that there will be many others (or any)of this quality outside of museums or private collection.       The other is very similar but was obiously used and has some wear to collar and cuffs and also has some marks which could be could probably be removed but i would prefer not to try . Both were made at The Old Farm ,Long Sutton, North Hampshire, England.If they are of interest please email me and i will furbish you any details or photographs you may require .Many thanks for your interest. Geoffrey Heath

Subject: RE: Seeking: agricultural style English smocks
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jan 13 - 04:33 PM

i have an original pre 1850 beautiful reversible english farmers smock .if interested in purchase please email and i will furnish further details and pictures.Geoff

Subject: RE: Seeking: agricultural style English smocks
From: GUEST,old english embroiderer
Date: 16 Aug 13 - 09:35 AM

Dryad publications did a booklet with traditional patterns in it and if the price was right I would be willing to make one/some. Not hard to do but time consuming.

Subject: RE: Seeking: agricultural style English smocks
From: GUEST,Sara-guest smocker August 2013
Date: 23 Aug 13 - 10:20 AM

Dont know if you are still interested but there is a smock on e-bay u site. It is a modern 1970s one but looks pretty good. I have posted a response re making them on the site this week. I have been a professional embroiderer/ smocker but havent done it for a while.

Subject: RE: Seeking: agricultural style English smocks
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 23 Aug 13 - 01:37 PM

GUEST Geoffrey, if you'd care to put up photos (including closeups of the smocking and also medium and long views front and back) online, it would be so valuable.

Subject: RE: Seeking: agricultural style English smocks
From: Gurney
Date: 23 Aug 13 - 06:31 PM

All you have to decide is which pattern you want. As so often, the smocking was peculiar to trade and district, almost a uniform.

Subject: RE: Seeking: agricultural style English smocks
From: GUEST,Sara-guest smocker
Date: 28 Aug 13 - 11:15 AM

Ok, I am in the UK and can confirm that various regions and trades had their own distinctive designs.I worked for some years smocking traditional childrens dresses and am willing to make garments either to a traditional design or clients own. The book mentioned several times in the forum is available on Amazon. Alice Armes English smocks and has both instructions and patterns. I have just started to do a smock for myself which will use traditional stitches but not a basic smock pattern as I intend wearing it and don't wan't to look as if I am in costume!

Subject: RE: Seeking: agricultural style English smocks
From: GUEST,1850victorian
Date: 09 Mar 14 - 01:40 AM

I'm interested in purchasing a authentic smock, but of a more day to day type for working in ,circa 1840,s reproduction,