Masterclass: SMOCK!
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This two-day masterclass offers you the opportunity to work with smocking techniques. On the first day, you will explore Eastern European smocking under the guidance of Sarah Pedlow, while on the second day, you will dive into the basics of English smocking with Katja van der Steen. The masterclass is suitable for all experience levels, including beginners. All materials and tools for the workshop are provided.
Date: 12 & 13 April 2025
Time: 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: State of Fashion, Utrechtsestraat 49, Arnhem
Cost: €250.00
Student price: €175.00 (use discount code “studentsmock”)
Day 1: Eastern European Smocking with Sarah Pedlow
Sarah Pedlow will introduce the fundamentals of gathering, pleating, and smocking. Drawing from her research and travels in Romania and Ukraine, she will guide you through small exercises to explore traditional techniques used to create freedom of movement, intricate textures, and decorative elements in garments.
The day begins with an introduction to various smocking techniques from around the world, with a focus on Eastern European styles and traditions. Following this, you can continue by creating a simple cuff-style bracelet (as shown), finishing a sleeve, or designing a gathered neckline on a traditional blouse.
Sarah Pedlow is the founder of ThreadWritten and has a deep interest in the textile traditions of the Balkans. Through her many travels, she has learned techniques from local experts. During this day, she will share insights from her research and travels in Czechia and Slovakia in 2022.
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Day 2: The Basics of English Smocking with Katja van der Steen
For a long time, smocking was dismissed as an outdated craft—a nostalgic detail with little relevance in contemporary fashion. But nothing could be further from the truth! In recent years, this centuries-old technique has made an impressive comeback in the fashion world.
Major fashion houses such as Dior, Loewe, Alexander McQueen, Miu Miu, and Molly Goddard have incorporated smocking into their collections, blending traditional techniques with modern silhouettes and innovative materials. Smocking is not only decorative but also adds structure and elasticity to a garment, making it a versatile and contemporary technique.
On this day, you’ll look far beyond the stereotype of smocking as ‘simple embroidery’ and explore its versatile possibilities. Together with Katja van der Steen, you will dive into the world of English smocking, one of the most refined and structured forms of this technique. You will learn the basic stitches and techniques that give you the freedom to experiment with different materials and applications. Can smocking even offer a more sustainable alternative to elastic materials and help use fabric more efficiently? This is just one of the many questions you will explore together during the day.
Katja van der Steen is a master tailor specializing in men’s clothing and bespoke tailoring, as well as theater costumes. She has worked on various projects at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow and is currently working on commissions for the Dutch National Opera & Ballet in Amsterdam, as well as various museums and cultural institutions. She has a fascination with flowers, from botanical drawing to embroidery, and often incorporates flower motifs and shapes into her tailoring work.
