Shirring Pains and Gains!

I thought shirring would be easy! After reading Heather Ross's book, Weekend Sewing (Which I Love!) and seeing her video clip with Martha Stewart. I thought I could instantly make these adorable dresses for my girls but I couldn't. Shirring was my kryptonite!

I have researched, tested and found a solution and I want to share it with you!

Especially if you have a Brother Machine with a drop in bobbin.

Look away if Shirring with elastic thread is easy for you!

Ok, so if you have a Brother Machine raise your hand! Me to:)! I love it, I can embroider, quilt and sewing over any surface (Sometimes my own fingers) but when I shirred no luck.

Then I found out that I am not alone!

Sew Mama Sew had a forum on it and that is where I found the answer!

Creative Heart

The only tip I did not use is adjust the bobbin casing. I tried it first without adjusting the painted screw on the bobbin casing and it worked!

Thank you Amber for sharing your shirring tutorial on Creative Heart!

Comments

Twins Squared said…

I too have been trying to attempt shirring this past week and I also have a Brother with a drop in bobbin. I came across this same tutorial but was nervous about taking my new machine apart. Then I found this tut.

http://www.prudentbaby.com/2010/03/sweet-shirred-summer-dress-pattern.html

Basically, you don't touch the tension at all on the bobbin or top thread. You wind the elastic thread on the machine as you would with regular thread. This pulls the elastic tight. Then it is important to set your stich length to 3.5. I just tried it and it worked like a dream on my Brother. I am so excited.

July 7, 2010 at 4:19 PM

Sew Spoiled said…

I did it that way too! :) The only bad side was that I used a lot more elastic thread and had to pull some of it by hand like you would a gather stitch, instead of ironing it.
That is great that it is working for you! It is so wonderful knowing that we all share this conflict and it is solved!
Now 2 ways! Thank you for sharing the link too!
You are awesome!

July 7, 2010 at 4:41 PM

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