How to Shirr

Many novice sewers appreciate learning how to shirr, which is the gathering of fabric so that it creates a tight, puckered appearance. Shirring is done on the bodice of a dress or shirt and provides a tighter fit. Although shirring looks complicated, it is actually a simple technique to learn.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lightweight fabric
• Elastic thread
• Heavy-gauge thread
• Scissors
• Gathering foot attachment
• Sewing machine

1. Select a lightweight fabric, which gathers easier than heavy fabric. Prepare the fabric by washing and ironing.

2. Wind elastic thread onto the bobbin by hand, being careful so as not to over-stretch it.

3. Place the bobbin in the sewing machine and thread the machine using a heavy-gauge thread.

4. Choose a long stitch setting and use a "gathering foot" attachment to sew a series of straight lines, about ½ inch apart. Leave long threads at the end of each row.

5. Secure the threads by bringing the top thread to the wrong side of the fabric and knotting the two threads together. Do not backstitch at the beginning or end of each row.

Tips & Warnings

• Always practice a new stitch technique on a separate piece of fabric.
• As all sewing machines differ, experiment with the upper tension and stitch length to find what works best.
• If you do not have a "gathering foot" attachment, use an "all-purpose" attachment to create the same effect. Loosen the upper tension on your sewing machine and, once the straight lines are stitched, pull the lower thread by hand.
• You can also shirr using a steam iron. Sew lines of straight stitches, leaving the thread long at the end of each row. Hold a steam iron about an inch above the fabric and watch as the fabric shirrs. Secure the stitches by knotting the upper and lower threads together.

Resources

• Learn more about how to shirr.