Skill-Building Tutorial: Shirring with Elastic Thread

About to make the cinch it dress with shirring. This is so helpful!!!

Love your designs ~ I am such a newbey... I would love if you have any video's where you go step by step, ( Holding Our Hands ) so to speak .. In order for us New Sewer's can watch your magic .. from pinning to cutting to sewing each part ? I'm sure that type of Video would be in 4 Parts, and with your schedule, it may be highly unlikely to expect .. I just thought that there is no harm In asking !

I was so intimidated by this. I'm off to try the keyhole blouse now!! :D

Awesome! I am playing catch up because I've been working so much :( I've had a couple of days off together and thought I'd try this on my Harlow PJ top I made and I absolutely love it! Thank you so much Sweetheart! xx

ok, i was always afraid to do shirring. now i am so excited to try it! especially the steam finish! that blew my mind. thanks gertie! 🌈

I’m super new to Garment sewing and I am starting with collecting all the Charm patterns. Is there a pattern for the bottoms in this post and if so can someone tell me the pattern I would need to purchase to make them? Thank you all in advance. I’m super excited to get started 💜

Is there a way to download the videos to watch offline? That would be really helpful!

So pleased you posted this tutorial. Your instructions are straightforward. I have confidence to try this technique after watching your video. Thank you for creating this content.

This so clear and helpful Gertie, thank you!

You're always such a good instructor. Very clear and easy to understand! Thank you!

Thank you so much for mentioning a “spiral” pattern for the popover, I start on mine this week, and was about to ask if it is rings or a spiral. You always make being a Patron worth every penny <3

I've always avoided shirring as I thought it would be difficult thinking I had to stretch the fabric out on each line. Now I can see that idea was incorrect. I just hope my electronic machine works well with the elastic. I've been wanting to make the popover dress so I will practise on an off cut of fabric first. Thanks so much Gertie for this tutorial.

I wish the videos were unlisted on youtube instead of on vimeo. It's easier to save and come back on youtube!

Love this thank you! Winding the bobbin by hand always put me off trying this... Now I’ve another way to do it. 👍 I haven’t made up the Harlow PJs yet so think will give it a go with them as with my sway back will definitely help with the shaping. 🤩

Ok!!! I’m totally excited about this! Can’t wait to try it.

Omg. Who knew it was so simple. Thanks Gertie!!!

Ah ha!! Ok I am SOOO glad you posted this tut, as what I envisioned was the way to do this was NOT correct!!! This clears up my confusion, thanks Gertie!! :)

You make it look so easy! I have been wanting to do shirring for an eternity but was to afraid to try it. But after seeing this video and your clear explenation, I am so ready! Thank you so much!

Thank You so much Gertie!! This is exactly what I was looking for to help me move forward with my latest sewing project. Your clear and simple instructions really give me confidence to try it out with no fear 😁👍❤️

So ready to make my second popover now!

Thanks for this tutorial. I have learned so much from all your posts. I have hesitated to make pieces that needed to be shirred so this tutorial helps me not feel so intimidated by it.

I did this a couple weeks ago for the first time on a Lamour (I shirred the side back panels) and it was SO FUN and rewarding to steam it and watch it shrink up. Now I want to shirr all the things!

Thank you so much. i had some strokes 7 years ago and have forgotten most of these types of techniques and i had to relearn in some cases even basic things. so these short clips are great for me.

Brilliant. I have always been a bit scared of shirring elastic Your nails are looking fabulous

This is great! I just test sewed with elastic thread yesterday, about to shirr a popover dress.

I have a machine that won’t shirr but I have a work around that’s just as good. I explain it here https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE3ODQzODMxODY0MDE2NTc4?igshid=1ptj9cxqbt3r2&story_media_id=2255659583865507588

Thanks, I can’t wait to try this when I get my machine back from being serviced.

I did this on a dress a while back and it was fairly easier than it looks. You made it so much easier because first off, I wound the bobbin by hand. Then I had about 13 rows for an insert and tied each row off at the beginning and end. I love your idea of the pivoting within the seam allowance. I’ve been sewing for more than 50 years, but always learning something new by watching you. Thank you so much!

Great timing for me personally, thanks Gertie! :D I am about to do my first shirring on a Popover. I need to master this since I have approx 465 vintage garments that need new shirring.

Thank you so much for this informative tutorial! Having never used elastic thread, I can see now that I would have done it wrong without your instructions.

I tried it once, it is not hard at all! Good tip to wind the bobbin with the machine, I did it by hand which was annoying....so funny to watch Gertie go up and down with the presser foot while shirring 😄

Awesome! I have been so afraid to try this haha, I'll have to pick up some elastic thread, thank you Gertie!

Thank you SO much for doing this! I bough elastic thread with the intention to use it but it keeps scaring me a bit. Im not too sure why. This will definitely help with easing my worries!

Thank you! This will be my new sewing skill for August.

I have been wanting to do this forever!!! I have been so scared to try it. I have the tread and a new popover dress ready to go!