As I’ve gone down this shirring road, it has become obvious that each machine has a happy place. No one machine’s perfect settings seem to apply to all. In fact, it seems quite the opposite, one machine’s perfect settings will not even come close to working for another. The stitch length and bobbin tension seem to be the most important variables. Below I will include a chart of the most common issues I’ve seen and how to use these variables to overcome them.
In general, the thinner the fabric, the more it “gathers up.” This is normal! To accommodate, you may want to shorten stitch length, place shirring lines further apart or use fewer shirring lines.
In general, the thicker the fabric, the less it “gathers up.” This is normal! To accomodate, you may want to lengthen stitch length, place shirring lines closer together, or use more shirring lines.
If you have issues with your elastic becoming “spaghetti like” on the back of the shirring line, something is likely wrong with your tension. While it is normally recommended to hand wind elastic thread on your bobbin while applying no tension, this issue calls for rule breaking. Try winding the bobbin thread by hand with tension on the elastic thread. If that doesn’t work (count your blessings!) you may be one of the lucky ones who has to use your machine to wind the bobbin, wind using your foot pedal pressed about half way down.
Have any tips of your own that you wouldn’t mind sharing? Drop them below so that others can give them a try!
6 Comments
knitbunnie
I shirr using a zigzag stitch – from the backside of the fabric, I zigzag over elastic thread, just feed the elastic thread through the gap in the middle of my zigzag foot and be sure my needle doesn’t pierce the thread, then when all the rows are sewed, I secure the elastic threads at one end and pull to gather from the other end. It’s so much easier for me than winding a bobbin with elastic thread. I’ve also wound embroidery floss or pearl cotton around my bobbin so that the public side of the shirring shows the floss/cotton. It gives a sort of smocking effect. I learned this from a European Burda pattern many years ago. I love your website!
ardyrd01@gmail.com
What a good idea! I’ve made elastic casings over 1/8 in elastic before but never thought to use that method for the shirred look. That’s awesome. Thank you so much for sharing!
Kari Cowan
I know all machines are different but out of curiosity what is your normal tension for your machine? I don’t seem to have trouble other than it doesn’t want to shrink up as much as I want it to once steam it.
Thanks!
Kari
ardyrd01@gmail.com
My normal tension is four!
Kari Cowan
Should I be able to basically pull up more gathers by pulling the elastic? I left my tension setting on the default and it looks fine but I’m not sure if I should tighten it. I was able to pull on the elastic to create a tighter neck. The dress turned out adorable:)
ardyrd01@gmail.com
That’s awesome! You can a little bit (like 4-5 inches) but not a ton. if you’re finding that you’re having to pull it up much more than that it seems that it’s a bobbin tension issue and is resolved by putting tension on the elastic thread when it goes into the bobbin.
Can you email/send me a picture of the back of your shirring? I can tell pretty quickly from that!
I’m so glad!! It’s really sweet on and once you get the hang of it, tempting to do many more times ☺️