i think it's called shirring, looks similar to smocking... how to do it using a sewing machine?

Question

ok.. i want to know how to, with a sewing machine, make dresses/tops that have 'shirring' over the boob part! i've heard that u use thin elastic and sewing thread, but am unsure which would go in the bobbin, and what tension would be used for t-shirt like material. randon wuestion, i know, but hoping someone can help so i can sew some for my daughters

Answer 1

Kacky's link is pretty good. Here's some additional information.

If you're stitching on t-shirt knit or similar, you want to use ball-point needles rather than regular ones.

I was taught to *never* overlap stitching in a single row. If I ran out of either elastic or thread, I'd undo the row and re-do from the beginning. I was taught the same with smocking "no knots [or lumps] where they will rub you".

The elastic may require adjusting the bobbin tension. This is a *last* resort. If you don't record the "before" position you may need competent professional assistance to get it back to the "normal" position. Me, I treasure having been able to salvage/scavenge a second bobbin holder from discarded identical machine so I have one set for "regular" and one set for "heavy" for elastic and top-stitching thread for jeans and similar.

If the shirring doesn't need to stretch and recover, use a "ruffle/gathering attachment" and regular thread. You can also use the elastic method where you desire stretch and the plain thread method where you don't.

Answer 2

Adding to the other good answers... elastic thread shirring doesn't have to be in straight rows. When you're done with your current project, hand wind another bobbin of elastic thread.

Grab a printed fabric from your scrap bag, especially one with a fairly big design, and pull out about a square foot for play. Now stitch all over the scrap, wandering your stitching all over the fabric like "meander quilting" or "stippling" -- try not to cross an old line of stitching with a new one. Here's an example of a "good" meander pattern... with elastic thread gathering, it doesn't need to be so regular:
http://www.quiltypleasuresnw.com/catalog.html
http://quiltville.com/basicmeander.gif



When you're done, take it off the machine and give it a shot of
steam with your steam iron, and then lay it next to the rest of the
scrap of the original fabric. You now have perfectly coordinated "prints" of different scale that will look good together. Think about
something like cutting a skirt yoke from the meandered fabric, and making the rest of the skirt of matching flat fabric....

Answer 3

Smocking How To

Answer 4

Here are some instructions
http://indietutes.blogspot.com/2007/06/shirred-top.html
.