I'm looking for instructions on how to do the smocking found on the queens' capes at the portuguese festas?

Question

The capes are usually bordered with puckered smocking embellished with pearls.

Answer 1

I found a page that shows lots of examples of capes. Most are just embroidered and beaded, but a few seem to have ruffles that are made and then sewn on. http://www.members.tripod.com/~KathrynMaffei/index-10.html

Do you have a photo online somewhere of what you are describing? I am guessing it may have been ruched, where you would take a sepearate strip of fabric and make little folds in it, tack them together, and then sew the strip around the edge of the cape. http://members.aol.com/williamsburgrose/WR-laceddress.jpg