Frills, gathers, fluffs and certainly smocked dresses are sheer girlie delights. Infant wear is a booming industry showcasing a wide variety in embroided materials, fabrics and detailing. Wide ranges fill the market with Christening gowns, party wear, birthday celebration lines and the regular daily wears.

Patterns and sewing techniques in smocked dresses are very intricate and interesting. Smocked items add a touch of grace to the plain wears and set apart a dress other than cartoon pictures and typical statement lines.

Smocking is an ancient sewing pattern and generally around the bodice. Patterns can be a full smocking on the front, or shaped as squares, semi circles and other geometric patterns. The similar weave can be patterned on the pockets too. Pleats beneath a smocking pattern further graces a simple attire. Light oranges, pink and blue are generally preferred smocking colours. The embroidery is generally small roses, leaves or geometric criss crosses.

Other smocking patterns for tom boy portrayals include sail boats, nature and animal caricature. It is to be understood, that smocking is generally preferred on soft greens, light blues and looks best in plain whites. Designs need to be restricted to type of sleeve and the hemline. Too much of other detailing and cuts takes the charm of smocking.

Jumpers for baby girls can be smocked to lift the plain garment. Smocking can also happen upto the waist to suggest a high waist and heavy gathers around. This also gives volume to the dress suiting smaller built girls. More feminine surprises can be added with bows and frills on shoulder straps. T shirts can be smocked too. For play time outdoor activities, the smocking can include play things like balls, net or even a hockey stick or base ball bat. However smocking is highlighted only with the play of mild colours and heavy stuff takes away the real effect.

Sleeves can be puffed or held by heavy contrast straps or sleeveless suits the best. Off whites with self prints can also have smocked works. Special Easter wears and pre-school wears are designed with smocking patterns.

Smocking dresses require no special care as the threads do not bleed colour. Machine wash and reverse iron works for most dresses. Match up the smocking bodice with similar hair clips, beady plastic bracelets and matching socks and shoes.

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