The Sewing Place

Shirring

b15erk

Shirring
« on: May 24, 2018, 14:47:10 PM »
I'm making the Amelia Tea dress which has a shirred panel at the front.  On my toile, I used shirring elastic, but I don't like the way it pulls in, and it will make it difficult to line the dress I think.

So, has anyone done shirring without elastic?  Probably comes under smocking really, but I don't want to do embroidery or anything on it.

Any other bright ideas would be gratefully accepted.  ;)

Jessie
Jessie, who is very happy to be here!!  :),  but who has far too many sewing machines to be healthy, and a fabric stash which is becoming embarrassing.

LeilaMay

Re: Shirring
« Reply #1 on: May 24, 2018, 16:26:48 PM »
I think it would depend on whether or not you needed any 'give' in the panel?

BrendaP

Re: Shirring
« Reply #2 on: May 24, 2018, 16:42:45 PM »
From your pic on another thread I see what you mean about the shirring not looking right on that fabric.

Do you have a link to the pattern, or more specifically a line drawing.  It might be that all is needed is to gather the fabric into a seam, but if you need the stretch properties of shirring .....
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

UttaRetch

Re: Shirring
« Reply #3 on: May 24, 2018, 17:04:38 PM »


The pattern does have a back zipper but if there is no elastic, the bodice width would have to be adjusted.

BrendaP

Re: Shirring
« Reply #4 on: May 24, 2018, 18:32:00 PM »
Looks as though there are three options:
1, gather into the waist seam.
2, add darts.
3, keep the shirring.

Given that there is gathering at the shoulders I don't think it would look out of place to have gathering at the waist too.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

eclectic

Re: Shirring
« Reply #5 on: May 26, 2018, 12:49:08 PM »
Hi Jessie, when you say shirring elastic do you mean the wide one that is in one piece but has different rows? I tried that once and found it a bit of a fiddle.
When gathering the tutu nets I zig zag over fishgut -< and then just pull and gather, I wonder would that concept work if you use the elastic cord .. do the rows and then once you have finished pull them all at the same time ... and then stitch down to secure in various places. Probably way off here and also a waste of elastic ..