Since I picked up this pillow at the thrift shop, I’ve done a bit of research. I purchased a pattern on Etsy to make one like this.
I found that this type of smocking is called Canadian smocking. I found other similar patterns and YouTube videos. I had to try it. So I chose a simple pattern and went to work. The first step was to draw a grid on the back of the fabric.

This is the pattern I tried.

The diagonal lines indicate the direction of the gathers.

I was amazed that it really worked!

This is what the back looks like.

Next I tried to pleat the edges with pins so I could stay stitch around the outside edge.

I added fabric around the edges.

And voila!

I used a leftover piece from upholstering my rocker for the back.


The hand stitching was slow going so I worked on it in bits here and there. It’s definitely a project I would try again some day.
Have a good one!
Linking up with Sew Can She