In case anyone is wondering, smocking is a real word. I have done smocking, I hated it! It is a sewing or fashion term. Definition: decoration on a garment created by gathering a section of the material into tight pleats and holding them together with parallel stitches in an ornamental pattern. I am willing to bet given Donnie's age and status as a child he wore smocked tops. It was quite the fashion back then.
Smocking....ah yes.....takes me back to my school days. I smocked quite a few pieces of clothing ?