A gallery of decorative fabric, needle-lace, crochet,  ribbon and braid closures you can make.

This book seems to have everything -- from a short history of the English smock to professional finishing techniques, like handmade buttons and loops.  In between it has 33 very usable graphed geometric designs and stitch illustrations.  The best feature of the book is its many project ideas from the usual samplers to handbags and boxes to unusual freeform smocked shapes.  The author has a wonderful feel for texture with her use of backsmocking, stitch combinations, and unusual fibers and fabrics and beads.

Lavishly illustrated with over 100 color photographs and illustrations.  The information presented runs the gamut from practical enough for the beginner to stimulating the creativity of the most seasoned smocker.  It takes the reader beyond the traditional application of smocking to the creation of exciting new effects including rippled and textured surfaces for wearable art.  The combination of these new techniques with fabric dyeing, machine embroidery, and other techniques is discussed.  This lovely book is serviceable as a sewing room reference, yet beautiful enough to grace your coffee table.