http://www.heirloomsbyrobin.com/Blog feed for Treasured Heirlooms by RobinCopyright 2012 Treasured Heirlooms by Robinhttp://www.heirloomsbyrobin.com/articles/view/?article=7September 2011:    If possible, pleat your fabric before choosing your floss colors!  Once the fabric is pleated, some of the colors may show up more than others.  Pull some floss out of the skein a few inches and lay across your pleating.  Your eyes will tell you the best color to use !   Happy Smocking !   ROBINFri, 18 May 2012 17:33:43 GMThttp://www.heirloomsbyrobin.com/articles/view/?article=6 June 23, 2001:  100% cotton fine batiste.....cotton batiste.............cotton voile..........cotton lawns............thin cottons..........quilting cottons.............we love those cottons.  But, they do tend to stretch.  I always smock a row or two on the inside of a dress at the bottom of the design.  I smock a cable stitch.......this will keep the bottom of the smocking design from stretchng after washing the dress.Fri, 18 May 2012 17:33:43 GMT