Shirring Instructions

This peasant blouse displays a shirring technique at the waistline.

Shirring is the process of sewing with regular thread and elastic thread in your sewing machine to gather fabric. You can purchase pre-shirred fabric at the craft store, but if you learn how to master the art of shirring on your own then you can use any fabric you like to make a variety of items from tops to dresses and skirts. Practice on some spare fabric before you actual sew your final project to make sure your stitch settings are appropriate.

Things You'll Need

• Elastic sewing thread
• Sewing machine bobbin
• Sewing machine
• All-purpose sewing thread
• Fabric or sewing project
• Fabric marking pen
• Straight-edge ruler
• Iron with steam setting
• Ironing board or towel

Instructions

1. Wind elastic thread onto your sewing machine bobbin by hand. This will keep the thread from stretching out as it winds; a bobbin winder would pull the thread too much. Load the bobbin into your sewing machine.

2. Load regular all-purpose thread in a color that matches your fabric into the top of your sewing machine as normal.

3. Set your sewing machine stitches and tension. Use a long, straight stitch setting and zero tension to start; experiment with a variety of stitch settings on spare fabric until you are happy with the look of the stitching.

4. Draw a horizontal line straight across your fabric where you want to place the first line of shirring. Measure and draw other lines directly below this one and parallel to it for each line of shirred stitching you will put on the fabric.

5. Line up the fabric in your sewing machine so you can sew a straight stitch down the first line you drew in Step 4. Backstitch at the beginning of your stitching to secure the thread, then stitch straight down this line and backstitch at the end as well. Repeat this step for all of the other lines you drew. The fabric should gather as you stitch.

6. Remove the fabric from your sewing machine. Place it on a towel or an ironing board, and steam it with your iron's steam setting to complete the shirring or gathering process.

Tips & Warnings

• Shirring works well for sundresses or for the waistband of a peasant-style top.

• When you check your stitch settings, make sure the fabric gathers as you sew and the sewing thread secures the elastic thread in place.

References

• Prudent Baby: Sweet Summer Shirred Dress Pattern
• Kuky Ideas: Shirred Dress Tutorial