Smoking Workshop

Thursdays, November 26 and December 3, from 10:00 to 13:00

Smocking is a traditional textile technique that developed in England, based on gathering and hand-embroidering fabric. Precise stitches create geometric and organic patterns, pleats, and plays of light and shadow, giving the fabric sculptural qualities and a surprising appearance.

In this two-session workshop, we will experience the fundamentals of the technique and explore the creative possibilities it offers, between tradition and contemporary interpretation. We will learn to create different patterns, experiment with intuitive work and develop a personal language, and apply this knowledge to designing a unique handmade decorative cushion.

The workshop is intended for people with an affinity for textiles and handicrafts who are interested in deepening their knowledge of a technique that combines precision, patience, and creative freedom.

The technique originated in England during the late Middle Ages. It was born out of a practical need: farmers and laborers wore loose clothing gathered around the chest, sleeves, and waist, allowing freedom of movement without sacrificing a fit to the body. The gathered areas were reinforced with decorative stitching, giving rise to smocking. During the 18th and 19th centuries, smocking developed into an aesthetic element, particularly in children’s clothing and women’s dresses, and later entered the worlds of haute couture and artistic textiles. Designers began using smocking not only as a functional solution, but also as a sculptural tool for creating volume, textures, plays of light and shadow, and surfaces that respond to the body.

Led by Rani Yifrah

A fashion designer who graduated from the Fashion Design Department at Shenkar. She is involved in the design, production, and development of fashion and textile and leisure products, illustrates, and has been teaching fashion design to the younger generation for six years. She emphasizes cultivating handicraft skills and providing tools for a process of discovery and self-expression through design—from inspiration to a finished product—using a variety of available materials and techniques.