How to Secure Shirring

The midsection of this shirt is shirred.

Shirring is the process of creating a series of gathered lines using elastic thread. Shirred fabric can stretch to two or three times its original length. Shirring is most often used with clothing, but it can also be used to make decorative pillows or window treatments. One of the hardest parts about sewing shirring is that it can be difficult to secure after sewing. One simple process will secure all shirred fabric and make it remain sturdy for quite some time.

Things You'll Need

• Elastic thread
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Fabric

Instructions

1. Thread the bobbin with elastic thread and the top thread with regular thread on the sewing machine.

2. Sew five to 10 lines of shirring about ½ inch apart from each other. Sew one straight stitch and do not back stitch on either end.

3. Remove the fabric from the machine. Leave the ends of the shirred fabric long.

4. Untangle the elastic threads and line up the beginning and ending thread of each row. Tie the threads together with a square knot by twisting the left side over the right then the right side over the left. Pull the ends tight.

5. Repeat the knotting process with the regular threads.

6. Pull both the elastic threads and the regular threads to one side of the fabric. Pull the elastic threads to the right or left of the inside of the fabric and the regular threads to the right or left of the outside of the fabric.

7. Rethread the sewing machine with regular thread in the top and bottom thread lines.

8. Sew a line down the length of the fabric along a seam line, if the fabric has one. If not, sew down an inconspicuous area. Back stitch the top and bottom of the thread to secure the threads.

9. Pull the regular threads away from the fabric and cut them close to the fabric to hide the shirring lines. Repeat with the elastic threads.

References

• House on Hill Road: Securing Shirring
• Pretty Ditty: Shirring Tutorial

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish