tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post7385455787919762313..comments2024-03-11T05:02:29.114-06:00Comments on indietutes: Shirred TopCharity Indietuteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13517919253368724623noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-66259234334340779522013-05-01T10:51:36.013-06:002013-05-01T10:51:36.013-06:00I read your other post on shirring on knit fabric,...I read your other post on shirring on knit fabric, which is what I'm trying to do, so I hope you can help. The problem I'm having is I'm shirring, vertically, on a baby beanie to create a ruched look. The shirring is working HOWEVER when I tug on the beanie it stretches back out and loses the gathers. I did back stitch at the beginning and end. I wonder if I should start and finish and back stitch with a normal length stitch and use a long stitch inbetween? I tried simply using a gathering stitch but when I stitched over the gathers they still wouldn't hold (with a straight or stretch stitch). Any advice?? Thanks!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01270024121570432831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-14450737979449924432012-06-09T21:35:32.920-06:002012-06-09T21:35:32.920-06:00Finally figured out what was doing wrong! First of...Finally figured out what was doing wrong! First off, my machine needed oiling. I have a Janome. Second, I was winding my bobbin too tight, as well as trying to save some time by machine winding. Even at the loosest tension, the machine winding doesn't work for me. It took me an hour to figure that out. So I didn't save any time there. For me, and my Janome, hand-winding with literally no tension produced perfect results. Hope that helps someone out there!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-33003522909681798512011-06-22T03:45:03.425-06:002011-06-22T03:45:03.425-06:00I just wanted to say thanks!!! I always wanted to...I just wanted to say thanks!!! I always wanted to do this & had no clue it was this easy. Now mind you that it took me days of tinkering & troubleshooting to find the right setup to get it perfect, but I don't mind tinkering when I know I can get there. Silly me thought you needed some special high tech machine to do it. FOR ME the only thing I have to do to get it right is leave my tension the same as usual, hand wind the bobbin to what I feel is about medium tension & set my stitch to the longest length. My first row doesn't look like much when on a woven fabric (luckily I was field testing on knits & those shirr up very easily on the first row when I have it set right)...but after about the third row (on wovens)...it's amazing! I have a drop in bobbin and have no problems with it. I have a Kenmore Model#1653000 if that helps anyone. When all is said & done once I knew HOW my machine needs to be set up to shirr, this has got to be the easiest thing I have EVER learned in sewing. If someone had been able to take 2 minutes to show me how to do it on my machine, it would have been incredibly easy to recreate. Now When I want to make small ruffles, like for cute little baby bums I can just shirr instead of hand gathering like I used to! It is soooo much easier too because the gathers are always uniform and I don't have to adjust for length. I just do a couple of rows VERY close together & then steam to let it tighten,. Then I iron it down to make it as flat as possible before laying it on the backside of the diaper cover & straight stitching it down (with no tension of course as that would pucker the bum area when you let go of the tension). Then I stitch front to back & done. I hope that is clear explanation. These days I also use shirring on the legholes where I used to use elastic. YAY!Ophelianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-57007834568401655752010-08-20T20:32:55.379-06:002010-08-20T20:32:55.379-06:00Well It's a Pettiskirt really.It's so cute...Well It's a Pettiskirt really.It's so cute. <br /><br />Martha did have Kaiya Eve on.... <br /><br />Here is the pattern off her website....<br /><br />Pettiskirts How-To<br />Cut the Pieces<br />1. Satin charmeuse: one 7 1/2-by-48-inch rectangle.<br /><br />2. Iron-on interfacing: two 2-by-48-inch strips.<br /><br />3. Nylon chiffon: six 3 1/2-by-46-inch strips; twelve 4 1/2-by-54-inch strips; enough lengths of 2 1/2-inch-wide strips to make 48 yards.<br /><br />4. One-inch-wide ribbon elastic: one 17-inch-long piece.<br /><br />5. One-inch-wide ribbon: two 18-inch-long pieces.<br /><br />Make the Waistband<br />1. Iron a strip of interfacing to the wrong side of the satin charmeuse rectangle along each long edge.<br /><br />2. Fold the satin charmeuse piece in half widthwise (to make a 7 1/2-by-24-inch rectangle), with right sides facing each other. Match edges and pin along short side.<br /><br />3. Starting at one end of the pinned short side, sew a seam along the side for 2 inches and backstitch to secure. Leave a 1 1/2-inch opening and begin sewing again to finish the edge, backstitching at both ends.<br /><br />4. Flip the the waistband right side out and fold in half lengthwise by folding the top half in toward the center, matching the raw edges at the bottom. The fabric should be right side out on the inside and outside of the waistband. Press the fold and pin the raw edges.<br /><br />5. Straight stitch all the way around the waistband, 1 1/4 inch down from the fold.<br /><br />6. Straight stitch all the way around the waistband once more, 1 inch down from the first stitch line.<br /><br />First Tier<br />1. Sew 3 of the 3 1/2-inch-wide nylon chiffon pieces together, end to end, to make one long strip. Repeat to make a second strip.<br /><br />2. Shirr along one long end of each strip.<br /><br />3. Attach the shirred side of one strip to the outer bottom raw edge of the waistband. Repeat with the second shirred strip and the inside bottom raw edge of the waistband.<br /><br />Second Tier<br />1. Sew 6 of the 4 1/2-inch-wide nylon chiffon pieces together to make a long strip. Repeat to make a second strip.<br /><br />2. Shirr along one long end of each strip.<br /><br />3. Attach the shirred side of one strip to the bottom edge of the outer first tier. Repeat with the second shirred strip and the bottom edge of the inner first tier.<br /><br />Ruffle Fluff<br />1. Sew enough 2 1/2-inch strips of nylon chiffon together to make two 24-yard long strips.<br /><br />2. Shirr these strips down the middle of the strip (not along an edge as before).<br /><br />3. Pin the stitched line of the shirred strip to the bottom edge of the outer second tier, and sew in place along the stitched line. Repeat with the second shirred strip on the bottom of the inner second tier.<br /><br />Ribbon Elastic<br />1. On one end of the 17-inch elastic piece, attach a button. On the opposite end, sew a buttonhole.<br /><br />2. Attach the 18-inch pieces of ribbon to each end of the elastic.<br /><br />3. Attach a large safety pin to one end of the ribbon, and feed through the waistband channel.<br /><br />4. Button the elastic and tie ribbon ends in a bow. Cut ribbon ends neatly to finish.littlefee89https://www.blogger.com/profile/14523043009888840921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-39667055961689402802010-08-20T13:02:08.745-06:002010-08-20T13:02:08.745-06:00littlefee89, why are you using elastic thread to m...littlefee89, why are you using elastic thread to make a tutu?Charity Indietuteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13517919253368724623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-59271788849881049272010-08-20T13:01:37.450-06:002010-08-20T13:01:37.450-06:00Littlefee89,
I'm not sure what kind of set u...Littlefee89, <br /><br />I'm not sure what kind of set up you have, but you have to wind the elastic thread by hand onto the bobbin and then if you can manually pull it through to the needle do so. Read through all the comments here too to read other people's advice when they had problems. Drop in bobbins do not work as well as the side loading type.Charity Indietuteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13517919253368724623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-36178054953051689342010-08-19T19:58:04.942-06:002010-08-19T19:58:04.942-06:00Hi I'm having trouble getting my mechine to ta...Hi I'm having trouble getting my mechine to take the bobbin thread, it;s elastic thread...it wont thread it self. Its a brother and I'm going nuts, I'm trying to make a tutu for my little girls 1st birthday in two weeks. Any ideas how to fix this?littlefee89https://www.blogger.com/profile/14523043009888840921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-63117287408726910622010-08-11T21:19:40.905-06:002010-08-11T21:19:40.905-06:00Oh, and thank you, vegbee! Your tute also answere...Oh, and thank you, vegbee! Your tute also answered many questions for me.Tennjennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01397113148008290316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-71442551496792014492010-08-11T21:18:28.590-06:002010-08-11T21:18:28.590-06:00Sometimes I keep reading long after I should have ...Sometimes I keep reading long after I should have gone on to do other, more productive things, just out of laziness. But tonight I find that the very last comment in this thread gives me the answer to why my shirring wasn't working well. THANKS, SHANNER!Tennjennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01397113148008290316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-22978464554931956392010-06-22T22:48:32.157-06:002010-06-22T22:48:32.157-06:00Been looking forward to this tutorial! At first a...Been looking forward to this tutorial! At first attempt ,could not get my machine to shirr even though the stitches were taking. but after some twiddleing and reading back through the comments, I fixed it and thought Id share. <br /><br />For those having trouble getting a gather, check out the bobbin case's anatomy. Cylendrical hole for bobbin and hook for guiding the thread, right? Is your elastic still through that funny little thread guide arm? (technical jargon, wink wink) I found that when drawing up the bobbin thread, before even begining to sew, my elastic pulled loose of the guide hook easily and headed straight up and out of the bobbin-hole. Hense the apperance of a threaded machine and stitches too, but no tension on the elastic and therfore, no gathering. So, that said, pull the elastic taut into it's little bobbin arm and peek to make sure it stays in place (if you have a transparent bobbin cover) <br /><br />That fixed it for me and I was pleased with the extra tip of steam ironing for additional pucker. <br /><br />Good luck!Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10907286904932629347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-83411666446866503952010-04-18T17:20:39.825-06:002010-04-18T17:20:39.825-06:00After trying to do as you explained, my sewing mac...After trying to do as you explained, my sewing machine would not shir...I did find out that because I have a drop in bobbin type machine, I can wind the elastic on the bobbin the same as I would regular thread. It will wind very tight and I needed to adjust my tension and IT WORKED!!!! My daughter was so happy to have a new shirt! Thank you for your teachings and keep up the good work.Jennifernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-25003018061779780462010-04-08T20:40:53.243-06:002010-04-08T20:40:53.243-06:00I fought that danged elastic thread for close to a...I fought that danged elastic thread for close to a week, I almost gave up a dozen times, but tonight, something finally clicked, everything finally came together, and my 4 year-old fashion bug finally has the new blouse she's been bugging me to make!!! I took your advice and did some surfing to see what else I could find about shirring, then combined what I learned from them with what I learned from you (thank you SO much for mentioning shirring in spiral, it was a lifesaver for me!) and before I knew it, I was snipping my last thread. I am so proud of myself and so glad I found this place!!!Eva Rectornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-14765805135210296392010-03-05T12:11:44.113-07:002010-03-05T12:11:44.113-07:00Mary,
good call! Next time I post on shirring I ...Mary,<br /><br />good call! Next time I post on shirring I am definitely mentioning this. Thank you!Charity Indietuteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13517919253368724623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-17120868497992793852010-03-04T18:04:56.269-07:002010-03-04T18:04:56.269-07:00Hi it's Mary. You've been a HUGE help. I...Hi it's Mary. You've been a HUGE help. I was thinking if so many of us (so relieved it's not just me) are having problems, there's gotta be some little tiny something going wrong. I searched more tutorials on shirring and then came across one that said, "You may notice your first couple of rows don't gather as much as you'd like. Don't worry. As you continue to stitch more rows, your garment will gather more." Lightbulb moment!!!! I'd only practiced 1 row at a time, not multiples. So I did it again, only this time sewing 5 rows. And EUREKA! I've successfully shirred a piece of fabric. I spritzed some water on it and it tightend a little more and steamed it to get it as tight as I could. It now stretches to about 1.75 to 2 times it's shirred length. <br /><br />Maybe this'll help some of the others out there. They could have been doing the same thing I did, just testing 1 row. <br /><br />Wow, it was such a simple thing that made a big difference.<br /><br />I'll be shirr to use this a lot for summer outfits!<br /><br />-MaryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-87604480273878414272010-03-01T22:31:49.236-07:002010-03-01T22:31:49.236-07:00Mary,
There seems to be a small but significant n...Mary,<br /><br />There seems to be a small but significant number of people (or machines) that have a tough time with shirring. I wish I could figure it out but I've never had a problem with it. I'd suggest making absolutely sure you've got the basics down and reading some other shirring tutorials (there is a ton! try googling 'how to shirr') and see if you can find any answers there. If you figure it out, there are plenty of people who would like to know too!<br /><br />Sorry I couldn't be more help :(Charity Indietuteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13517919253368724623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-52585239818648916642010-02-28T17:53:36.082-07:002010-02-28T17:53:36.082-07:00Hi, Me again (Mary). I am soo glad I've foun...Hi, Me again (Mary). I am soo glad I've found your blogs, can't say that enough. I've been sewing all by my lonesome with no one to go to for help/advice. Even at our local fabric/craft store, they seem to know less about sewing that I do (which is really sad, cos I'm no expert).<br /><br /> I've tried shirring and haven't had any luck. After I sew the fabric is still flat. So I tried to steam it with my iron as someone mentioned, but there was no change. <br /><br /> I'll keep trying different things. Meanwhile, I was wondering if anyone who had problems like me was able to figure it out. And if so, what did you do different?<br /><br />Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-46832520655854277692010-02-19T09:16:55.329-07:002010-02-19T09:16:55.329-07:00Thank you, thank you. Your explanations are brill...Thank you, thank you. Your explanations are brilliant. Have wanted to shirr for a while and knew I needed the elastic, but that is where my knowledge ended. Cant wait to give it a try!!Gina Siscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18147299869138788888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-7595687663165339602010-01-31T03:02:05.519-07:002010-01-31T03:02:05.519-07:00Thanks for the information, its been a great help ...Thanks for the information, its been a great help in turning an old skirt of my Auntie into a maxi dress!AliPatchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16647486960562587028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-64866805284510318822009-10-30T19:49:28.839-06:002009-10-30T19:49:28.839-06:00Thanks so much VegBee! After reading the comments ...Thanks so much VegBee! After reading the comments I was thinking "Ulp, this'll never work for me if it didn't work for them!" - but by some miracle, it did! FWIW I wound the elastic thread on pretty loosely - almost no tension - and put my stitch on the longest possible setting (4). I've since tried it with a 3, but I prefer the 4 even though a 4 makes the finished fabric rather smaller than half its original size.<br /><br />Instead of shirring in a spiral or doing every row separately, I pivoted 90 degrees right at the end of each row, stitched 3 stitches down the side, pivoted 90 degrees left again and went back down the next row... think lots of hairpin turns. That way I didn't have to cut the elastic and risk unravelling.<br /><br />Here are two tops I completed - the corset-backed one was a result of the shirring shrinking my fabric more than expected, but I like the way it turned out anyway. :p Shirring is addictive - I keep hunting through my stash looking for more things to shirr! :)<br /><br />http://smokeythemagnificent.com/2009/10/29/594/Smokeringhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05947613057677525100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-26978671683686644372009-08-16T08:20:42.664-06:002009-08-16T08:20:42.664-06:00I really need your help! My elastic continues to ...I really need your help! My elastic continues to come out wavy on the bottom and the shirring does work....shapeless dress to say the least! I too have worked with the tension on my machine (up and down), have new thread, used the iron to steam, used the longest stitch length, hand wound the bobbin with no tension and with some tension and today used the machine to wind...and still no luck. What was supposed to be a sundress for my daughter in under an hour has ended up taking hours and many spools of elastic thread. My machine is a Husqvarna Emerald 183. Thanks!<br />jodym7@yahoo.comJodyhttp://blueberrygabs.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-45829946900963075762009-05-22T14:07:36.188-06:002009-05-22T14:07:36.188-06:00Vegbee, thanks so much for the great tutorial. It ...Vegbee, thanks so much for the great tutorial. It was very easy to understand and follow along. I made my 3 yr old the dress and she just loves it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-48181265525384274742009-05-19T09:42:00.000-06:002009-05-19T09:42:00.000-06:00Thanks Rachael!Thanks Rachael!Charity Indietuteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13517919253368724623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-14081799646517816302009-05-18T13:42:00.000-06:002009-05-18T13:42:00.000-06:00I found this tutorial on another page and it seems...I found this tutorial on another page and it seems to answer a lot of the questions about elastic I have seen on here. I hope you don't mind me adding the link here, Vegbee, I just thought it might help. <br /><br />http://houseonhillroad.typepad.com/photos/sunny_day/index.htmlRachael Stanleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09005181580321143257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-10164683323126710582009-05-16T18:23:00.000-06:002009-05-16T18:23:00.000-06:00Hi! Thank you for all the great info! I bought e...Hi! Thank you for all the great info! I bought elastic thread for the first time today and had no clue what to do with it; this really helped! I was having a major issue with getting tension so the elastic wasn't wavy on the bottom, I hand-wrapped the bobbin 2ce, and finally decided to try wrapping it with the elastic tight, using the bobbin winder on my machine, it worked like a charm! I have a newer computerized Brother machine, and i read somewhere else online that the computerized machines sometimes don't work very well with the hand wrapped elastic......... so, those of you that are doing that and it isn't working, try wrapping it like normal thread! worked GREAT for me!! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7574269791828128314.post-17255913505311731402009-05-16T18:15:00.000-06:002009-05-16T18:15:00.000-06:00I love this. Someday, I hope to try this! I link...I love this. Someday, I hope to try this! I linked!michelle@somedaycraftshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07957014613448163211noreply@blogger.com