Thousands of tiny, tiny stitches
Smockers Guild celebrates their 30th anniversary
Smocking, a sewing technique to create decorative embroidery over pleats, dates back to the 15th century.
The technique is still popular today, and the Ottawa Smockers Guild has attracted several hundred enthusiastic members over its 30-year history.
Knowing how to smock is not a prerequisite to join the Ottawa Smockers Guild. “The Guild welcomes anyone with an interest in needlework, and smocking can be easily learned with the assistance of current members,” said Guild president Jean Bye.
The Ottawa Smockers Guild was founded in 1985 by Marg Slade, an avid self-taught smocker. Two founding members, Val Rochester and Jackie Comerton, continue to be active participants.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Guild, the symbols of which are pearls and the colour green, members have been asked to submit a smocked project which incorporates both.
Monthly meetings include an education component on smocking or related techniques. The Guild has an extensive lending library of patterns, books and a pleater.
The Guild’s primary service project is providing smocked gowns for use in the neo-natal bereavement programs at Ottawa hospitals. Guild members participate in a yearly one-day workshop to prepare the gowns for smocking by members throughout the year. Since the program began 20 years ago, over 3,000 gowns have been distributed.
Meetings of the Smockers Guild are held at McNabb Community Centre, 180 Percy St. at 7:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month from September to June.
The Guild extends a special welcome to former members to join them at the regular meeting on June 4 to celebrate the group’s 30th anniversary.
For more information, please view www.ottawasmockers.org.