Modern Smocking by Debbie Shore

Modern Smocking by Debbie Shore (new edition 2026)

Discover the impressive techniques and patterns of North American or Canadian (or Lattice) smocking, with bestselling author and TV presenter Debbie Shore. Soon you will be pinching, pleating and stitching to create textured fabrics for cushions (pillows), bags, and even clothing. It’s a little like origami with fabric.

Go retro with nostalgic velvet smocked cushions, reminiscent of the 50s and 60s. Try the patterns with contemporary fabrics such as denim or hessian. For the fresh country look, select a woven gingham.

In Modern Smocking Debbie has put together 15 patterns, plus ideas for a whole display of smocked cushion covers. She shows clearly how to mark a grid of lines or dots and stitch over that grid to create the various smocking patterns, and gives instructions for how to make a simple zipped cushion cover.

Best of all, there is over an hour of video of Debbie demonstrating the techniques (links in the ebook take you to the private videos on YouTube). When you are used to the methods you can experiment with different fabrics, mix designs together, and apply the technique to anything from dressmaking to curtains.

Modern Smocking includes the basic techniques and fifteen different smocking patterns, all with video demonstrations. The Smocking designs include: Arrows, Lattice, Bones, Hearts, Leaf, Cobblestones, Waves, Matrix, Shells, Lozenge, Diamonds, Bows, Four-point Flower, Four-point Tile, Giftwrap, Windmill.

This 2026 edition includes all designs from the two original bestselling 2013 ebooks: Modern Smocking Part 1 and Modern Smocking Part 2, by Debbie Shore.

Debbie Shore

Debbie Shore is a sewing author with 27 books published, co-founder of the Half Yard Sewing Club, fabric designer, actress and presenter for Create and Craft TV. Her sewing tutorials on YouTube have thousands of subscribers. Debbie’s previous books include the bestselling Making Cushion Covers, Half Yard Heaven and Sew Bunting.

Reviews

What do others think of Modern Smocking?

‘This is a brilliant book! It is easy to navigate, has 8 cushion designs and explicit instructions for making 12 and 16 inch cushion covers.Each design has a grid and instructions that can be printed out And, this is the best, videos to show the methods with suggestions for fabrics.’ sewstitchknit.com

'cleverly combine text and diagrams with video tutorials to give a comprehensive introduction to the techniques of Lattice or Canadian smocking. The ebooks can be viewed on PC or Mac as well as tablets and kindles. A fantastic guide for anybody interested in the art of smocking, this title takes the viewer through the basic techniques and equipment necessary before introducing 16 impressive patterns. Each project includes a printable template and step-by-step instructions alongside stunning photographs. The video demonstrations are incredibly helpful as you can see exactly how each design comes together with Debbie’s own hints and tips!' - Sewing World, February 2014

'A terrific book for beginner and more experienced stitchers alike. Easy to follow instructions, clear pictures, and helpful videos mean it is simple to start your first smocking project. Debbie Shore has taken the hard work out of Canadian smocking. A lot of information for your money.' - Dina

Helpful Information

Buy Modern Smocking now, as an instant download in PDF format, with links to private YouTube videos.

If you have never used a Vivebooks ebook before, then bear this in mind.

• They can be printed out
• You can view them on any device  

Download file size: 31Mb

ISBN: 978-1-912911-07-3