How to Make Puckered Fabric

Though a slower process, puckered fabrics can be hand-sewn.

Many men and women make their own clothes at home. Sewing is often considered a pleasurable hobby, and it is also a thrifty alternative to buying retail clothing. Sewing enthusiasts can plan their own outfits, choose their own fabrics and design clothing that they find attractive and comfortable. Among the styles of clothing that are rather simple to produce at home is puckered garments. Skirts, shirts, pants and almost any article of clothing, as well as curtains and tablecloths, can be puckered in just a few simple steps.

Things You'll Need

• Sewing machine (with bobbin and seam guide)
• Elastic thread
• Fabric
• Steamer or iron

Instructions

1. Select a fabric of your choice. The fabric should be soft rather than stiff because stiff fabric will not pucker as easily. Keep in mind that the length of the fabric that you choose will decrease slightly as it puckers, so measure fabric a little longer than you desire the finished garment to be.

2. Thread the bobbin on your sewing machine with elastic thread. Be sure to wind the bobbin very slowly so as not to stretch out the elastic as it winds. Set the seam guide on your sewing machine to 3/4 of an inch.

3. Stitch the elastic thread onto your fabric in straight lines using your machine and your seam guide. The straight lines can be as close together or as far apart as you would like, each creating a different puckering effect on the finished product.

4. Turn your fabric inside out and hang it up. Steam the fabric. If using an iron to steam your fabric, make sure that your iron is set to its steam setting so you do not burn the elastic thread and ruin the puckering effect. The fabric will pucker around the elastic thread as you steam it.

References

• CNT Pattern: Puckering Fabric