I want to make some shirred tops, for myself and also for my dd (5, 1).

I have never shirred before...is there a formula for fabric amounts that you use? Like for gathering??

And thread? I guess it will be clearly labeled elastic thread??

Do I sound dumb?? :rolleyes:

Thanks!

I'm new to it, lol...but mine have worked so far LOL...so I'll offer up what I do.

I take the bust measurement, double that for the width, because even though the first several go arounds with the elastic thread doesn't seem like it, it does shrink in half LOL....then, I wind the elastic thread (with the elastic at my store, not the thread) on the bobbin, set the stitch length to 8...and go for it :D

Ahuh.,,k...digesting this...thanks Tuesday!! :)

my instructions probably aren't that good, lol...I don't explain things that well ROFL

not at all!!! You are a great help!! I think I need Shirring for Dummies ;)

For kids, I just shirr selvedge to selvedge, works perfectly! Make sure you tighten your tension and put your stitch length as long as it will go, that will make it shir nicely.

For kids, I just shirr selvedge to selvedge, works perfectly! Make sure you tighten your tension and put your stitch length as long as it will go, that will make it shir nicely.
yes...on a 45 inch fabric, lol, all I have to do is cut it into half a yard, and she's got a dress LOL

yes...on a 45 inch fabric, lol, all I have to do is cut it into half a yard, and she's got a dress LOL
oops...I meant that for Olivia... @@ ROFL....

I used someones formula here...its chest measurement times 2 minus 10 and its worked GREAT for knee length dresses for dd. I find that the sweep of the dress is too short if I have the dress longer than knee length and then her stride gets cut off.

I find that about 16 rows make a nice shirred dress. But its really a personal preferance.

Thread:
Only thread the elastic thread on the bobbin, use your normal thread on top. Sew with the RIGHT side of the fabric facing up so the elastic is on the wrong side otherwise it looks gross...ask me how I know.

I set my tension to its highest (9) and stitch length as long as it will go.

Have fun!

thanks guys...I think I am getting up the courage to do this...plus, I have found my Readers Digest guide to sewing.and with you guys.. I can't go wrong!! :)

Oh I wanted to add, I only do 10-12 lines of shirring for children, using my presser foot as the width between lines. :)

It definitely depends on the child. I had to do 30 lines of stitching for my tall 7 year old. She wanted it shirred all the way to her natural waist so it wouldn't have that maternity look, iykwim. For my average-height 4 year old, I think I shirred only 20 lines for her.

I've been doing about 12-15 lines for DD (also using the presser foot as a guide. I also shir from selvege to selvege. I've done it a couple of time in the round and once flat. I think I prefer it flat. I was able to "monitor" the straightness of the lines a little bit better. I did match up the ends right before I would start and mark a pin on the ending edge so that the rows would match up when I did up the back seam. Make sense? :)

ahhh great idea about matching the back seam. I have been so frustrated with that and I just lack the brainpower to have thought of a way to fix that lol.