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

Sweet Coin Purse Tutorial for Teacher Gifts

This time of year is so special to me because I get to show my gratitude for all of the hard work that goes into teaching my daughters. I love to make handmade gifts and this year is no exception. Since money does not grow on trees around here, I looked at my stash (I keep my scraps in hat boxes ) and tried to see what I had a lot of; small zippers, trims, Peltex strips ( from making iPad cases ), fabric scraps and some hardware for key fobs. So I set to work. Materials: Plastic multipurpose 5" Zipper Fabric Scraps Lightweight interfacing 808 Pellon Trims (We clipped key fobs with 1.5" swivel hooks onto our coin purses . There are tons of tutorials on making key fobs .) Step 1: Print out the Coin Purse Template PDF. Cut 2 main fabric, cut 2 lining and 2 interfacing using the template. Optional: Cut a 2"X2" square of your choice main fabric or lining. This strip of fabric is used to clip a key fob to your coin purse later....

Fun in the Sun Mermaid Tutorial

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May 2011 Giveaway!

Thank you Sew Mama Sew for making today, May 23, 2011 Giveaway Day! Sew Love Fabrics will be sponsoring this month’s giveaway with eight fat quarters (18”X 22”) of Prince Charming prints in olive green, equaling 2 yards of gorgeous fabrics! If you would like to read more about Ruth, founder of Sew Love Fabrics , read her interview . Thank you so much for sharing your love of fabric with us! These are the fat quarters ready to ship to the lucky winner!! Giveaway Rules! +Our Giveaway will run May 23-27, 2011, with the winner being announced May 28, 2011! +The winner will be selected by Random.org +The package will be shipped to the winner by May 30, 2011. + To enter to win post a comment on this blog post! +Only one comment please per person. +This giveaway is open to everyone. +Leave your EMAIL ADDRESS, you can leave it as: leah(dot)sewspoiled(at)gamil(dot)com +This giveaway ends May 27, 2011 at 8PM Eastern Standard Time Thank you Ruth for sponsoring our May giveaway from Sew Love ...

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