***Offset off, I know in that location are dozens of shirring tutorials out there, then thanks for fifty-fifty bothering with mine. I've tried to compile all the shirring information that I could observe and what I have learned through trial and error. Please permit me know if anything is disruptive, or if you run across something I've left out.***

I must have tried writing this upwards v different ways before realizing that it was all as well much info. Then I've decided to break it up over a few posts. Today I'll explain how to work with elastic thread and 3 options for assembling your garment. And then over the next few days I'll show you how to employ the steps from today to make a toddler skirt, a toddler top/apparel, and a brim for you! So, let'south go started!

Supplies you'll need:

Elastic Thread
Regular Thread
Fabric
(I'll just be using cotton today, but we'll get into knits another day.)

**Note – This is merely the practice info. I'thou working with scraps considering nosotros aren't making annihilation just now**

Here we go… Click on whatsoever picture to enlarge it.

Pick A

This one starts with ii rectangles of fabric. Gather each slice separately with rows of rubberband thread and then sew them together at the sides.

Hither are my ii strips of fabric hemmed and ready to become.

 Grab your elastic thread and wind it effectually a bobbin past mitt. Yous don't want to stretch it while you lot do this, just go on it taunt.

Thread your automobile with standard thread on the top and the rubberband in the bobbin case. Then lengthen your stitch. I utilise 4 (my longest sew) simply I don't modify my tension. This is different for each machine. Yous may have to play with the tension to get it merely right.

Now you simply start sewing. It's that easy!

Line your cloth up and stitch across to the other side. Cut both threads (leaving a chip of a tail) and go back to the kickoff.

 (front and back views)

Line the edge of your presser foot up with your first row of stitches and run up across again. Repeat every bit many times as you like. (You can brand any distance you lot want between rows, but the presser border is pretty standard.)

In one case y'all have the elastic attached to both pieces of fabric, place them correct sides together (change back to regular thread in the bobbin) and sew together each cease. Utilize your surger, or zig zag the ends to go on everything slap-up and in place.

Go ahead and ignore the zig-zag in this picture. Not certain what i was doing there.

Don't worry if it doesn't look so scrunch-y at first. Hit information technology with some steam from your iron, and it will shrink up. After it goes through the laundry, it will be even meliorate.

OPTION B

This is a simplified version of pick A. It tin can be done with one or ii pieces of fabric, and is a proficient choice if yous aren't 100% certain what size y'all need. (Like when the babe is napping and you notwithstanding want to go something washed!)

For this demo I'm using 2 pieces of material. Place the pieces right sides together and sew one of the side seams with standard thread. Press the seam open. (Yous can hem at this point if you similar. Meet tips at the lesser of the page for easy hemming options.)

Thread your car with the rubberband thread and stitch rows from one end to the other on your (now) single strip of textile. (See option A)

Sew the other side seam with regular thread and you're done. Ta Da, easier right!

Choice C

The concluding version uses a screw row of stitching. This is probably the simplest, and can also exist done with ane long or two shorter pieces of fabric sewn together. For this demo I'm using 1 long strip.(I used this selection in a video tutorial hither.)

Sew the short ends together to course a tube of material. Now is the easiest time (for me at least) to finish the edges.

When your tube is ready, thread your machine with the elastic and line up your presser foot.

Sew the first row effectually and when you come to the commencement angle your line of stitches down until you lot form a second parallel row. Go on spiraling around until you lot reach your desired length. Backstitch and clip the threads.

The end consequence is the same regardless of the option you lot choose though the "insides" may wait different. In my stance, in that location isn't really a reason to use Choice A one time you know how to practice the other two. I used it on the pinkish toddler wearing apparel when I get-go tried elastic thread, and it just seems a lot more piece of work. (I'1000 not lazy, it's just that naptime is short!)

**Alarm – I cannot be held accountable if yous go completely obsessed and begin shirring everything in sight. (though you can join my back up group ; )**

In all honesty, you lot will think of dozens of ways to use this technique. So here are a few tips to make your projects go more smoothly:

– It is next to incommunicable to finish any edge shut to the shirring afterward you lot add the rubberband thread, but if you sew it get-go then the side seam doesn't plough out as clean looking. To fix this problem, cease the border starting and ending 2 inches before the stop of the material. And then later on yous sew together your side seam, fold downwardly and cease those last 4 inches. Now there's nil loose or scratchy sticking out. (Pics of this in the skirt tutorial)

– If yous would similar a greater distance between your rows of rubberband, depict lines on your fabric before hand with a water/air soluble pen.

– If you run out of rubberband half mode through a row, pull out the last few stitches until you have a good sized tail. Re-thread and put the needle downwardly in the terminal sew together and sew to the finish. Get back and pull the threads to the back of the material. Knot the regular threads and elastic threads together respectively.

– Salvage small leftover pieces of elastic to use for push loops when your machine is being impaired you don't feel similar making buttonholes.

I'm sure in that location are more tips I have forgotten, and I will add them as I remember. Thank y'all so much for sticking information technology out and making it all the fashion to the bottom of this ridiculously long postal service. I really hope you lot learned something and information technology wasn't merely a huge waste matter of time. lol

And, for those of you who only kept scrolling hoping to find the instructions for the ladybug skirt, go back and read the above directions so y'all are fix when I mail service the specifics virtually fabric size, row width, hem length, etc. tomorrow.

Thanks for Visiting!

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