Curriculum
Practice Path
A guided route through the encyclopedia — from first pleat to first bishop. Checkmarks are saved on this device, or print the page for a paper checklist.
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Sampler rule: Every new stitch gets a 6–8" batiste strip before it touches a garment. Keep strips labeled with thread and tension notes.
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Phase 1 — Machine & materials
Pleat a clean batiste strip before you stitch.
- Meet the Read 16Learn parts, threading, and a careful first crank on scrap.Pleater encyclopediaThreading
- Calculate fabric for your sizeBefore cutting a dress: finished width X → fabric length Y for the Read 16.Fabric calculatorDesign planning
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Phase 2 — Foundation stitches
Cable and outline until tension is automatic.
- Read a smocking plate from zeroRows, pleats, repeats, centering, tracking, thread changes, corrections, and a printable bench checklist.Absolute beginner plate-reading guide
- Cable StitchThe gold-standard first chapter — braid, tension, mistakes.Cable Stitch
- Outline & StemFeel smooth cord vs twisted rope on single rows.OutlineStem (smocking)Practice plate
- First plateTwo cables with an open field — calibrate before decorating. Or stitch the five-row sampler strip.Cable Borders plateFive-Row Sampler
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Phase 3 — Traveling stitches
Add vertical motion, then diamonds.
- WaveClimb and descend between two gathering rows (wave of 4).Wave StitchWave Between Cables
- TrellisMirror a second wave to close diamonds.TrellisClassic Trellis plate
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Phase 4 — Elastic & advanced
Honeycomb for give; Van Dyke for drama.
- HoneycombStaggered pair-binds that open into cells.HoneycombHoneycomb Yoke plate
- Surface Honeycomb & Van DykeFlatter lattice, then chevron catches at peaks and troughs.Surface HoneycombVan DykeVan Dyke Accent plate
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Phase 5 — Embroidery companions
Add sprays above the smocked field.
- Core flower setLazy daisy, French knots, then bullion roses when ready.Lazy DaisyFrench KnotBullionMotif recipes
- Lines & fillsStem, satin, feather, and borders for vines and bows.Stem (embroidery)SatinFeather
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Phase 6 — First garment
Put a plate into a real neckline.
- Construction orderPleat → smock → embroider → assemble. Never reverse that for sleeves.Garment constructionBishop dressesBaby Bishop plate
- Design your ownOnce samplers feel easy, plan repeats and centering yourself.Design planningSmocking theory