How to Create Elastic Shirring

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cal patch, contributor

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By using elastic thread and a simple straight stitch, you can create professional-looking shirring such as on this neckline.

Cal Patch

This is the elastic thread that will allow you to do the shirring.

Cal Patch

Using tailor's chalk or a disappearing pen, mark dotted lines on your garment where you want to place the shirring.

Cal Patch

By using elastic thread and a simple straight stitch, you can create professional-looking shirring such as on this neckline.

Photo: Cal Patch

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You've seen elastic shirring on shirts and dresses in stores, but did you know you can do it yourself? The trick is to use elastic thread in your bobbin, and a simple straight stitch becomes a magical shirring stitch! This is a very versatile treatment that you'll find all kinds of uses for, and it works great on both knits and wovens. I love how beautifully it gathers up the fabric but still stretches for comfort and ease in putting the garment on. I'm going to take you through the steps on a knit raglan-sleeve tunic I'm making, but feel free to try it out on a cuff, the waist of a dress, or the hem of a T-shirt...it's perfect for all those restyling projects, too!

You'll need to get yourself some elastic thread before you begin. Most sewing stores carry it in white and black, and Gutermann makes it in a few colors. But since the elastic thread will only be on the wrong side, you don't have to worry too much about it matching your fabric.

This is the elastic thread that will allow you to do the shirring.

1. Mark your garment where you want to place the shirring. Usually it's done in multiple rows to give it more gathering power; one row can't always pull the fabric in enough, unless it's very lightweight. I'm putting five rows of shirring around the neckline of a raglan-sleeve shirt, so I've marked (with chalk) five lines, beginning 1/2 inch from the neckline edge and 1/2 inch apart on the right side (the side I'll be looking at as I stitch). I'll be leaving my actual neckline a raw edge, but don't forget to add a seam allowance (or hem your edge first) if you plan to finish yours.

Using tailor's chalk or a disappearing pen, mark dotted lines on your garment where you want to place the shirring.

2. Wind the elastic thread onto your bobbin. You'll do this by hand, with slight tension on the thread as you wind. It won't work if you try to do it on your machine, trust me! It won't take as long as you think, though, because the elastic is much thicker than regular thread and it will fill the bobbin pretty quickly.

3. Thread your machine with the elastic bobbin you just wound and your usual sewing thread on top. Now you're ready to begin sewing!

4. Beginning in a discreet area, such as a shoulder seam, place your garment under the presser foot of your machine, starting with the marked line closest to the edge. I used a straight stitch set at 3 mm. Backstitch about 1/2 inch to secure the elastic, and begin stitching around, following your marked line. Your first row of stitching should go pretty smoothly. When you've stitched all the way around and arrived back where you began, overlap your stitching about 1/4 inch, and backstitch again to secure. At this point, I just lift the presser foot and move over to the next line, without cutting my threads. For this next row, you will need to stretch out the previous shirring so that the fabric lies flat as you stitch over it. This will keep the rate of shirring even between all the rows. Repeat until you've completed all of your rows, then clip your threads.

Stitch on your marked lines around the neck.

After the first row, you'll need to stretch out the shirring as you work on the remaining rows.

The more rows of shirring you sew, the more gathered your garment will be.

Here is how the elastic looks on the wrong side of the garment, before clipping the threads.

That's really all there is to it! Experiment with different numbers of rows and the spacing width between rows. On wovens, a rolled hem is the best finish if you're shirring close to the edge. Have fun and show us how you use it!

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Comments (25)

mposler writes: Ugh!!!!
I have been trying to do shirring on my Viking and it doesn't work! I have a Viking 150. Any suggestions?
Posted: 2:18 pm on February 6th

patie writes: Hi I have been trying to find out how to put shirring on the back of a sundress for ages. I have a Brother NS30 but it is computerised will this still work. I thought I would have to buy a different machine to make shirring.
Best Regards
Patie
Posted: 10:09 pm on December 3rd

JFriday writes: This looks just too easy! I can't wait to give it a try. BUT how do yu fix the amount of gathering so that the finished band is the size you want?
Posted: 8:18 pm on October 18th

CPThrow writes: I love this shirt :)) Could someone tell me the pattern used?? Thanks!!
C
Posted: 2:46 pm on September 18th

taysha1128 writes: i've searched for many 'tutorials' in regards to elastic thread and yours is the only one that ju7st made it look simple and easy- THANKS
Posted: 12:06 pm on June 17th

dadudette writes: I just can't seem to get my elastic thread to be straight and not wavy. What am I doing wrong?
Posted: 9:32 am on May 22nd

Leana writes: Girls I did it!!! =) I had some difficulties at first but managed to fix the problem, I was determined to do it!!!

I have a Husqvarna, Vicking Platinum 730, so I just placed the stitch length to the highest, in my case to a 6; pumped up the thread tension to the MAX, on my machine the highest is 9, and last but not least, I winded the elastic thread onto the bobbin with a little tension because I was shirring a light fabric, on other fabrics you must hand wind the elastic thread loose.

My top looks so nice! Thank you very much CalPatch !!!

I love sewing!!! =)

XOXOXO
Leana
Posted: 1:44 am on March 20th

maria_g writes: Do you think I could use shirring as an easy DIY way to take in the body of an inexpensive blazer? Maybe a couple of rows of shirring will do the trick instead of altering a $20 cotton jacket...
Posted: 4:58 pm on July 2nd

PABarnes writes: I am in the process of trying this and think it is so neat especially since the shirred tops are in style now and go for so much money.
I am sewing on a Singer 7430 CB5 machine and while reviewing other posts have read that computerized machines do not shir correctly. If so, how can I make sure it comes out the way I want it and what do you mean when you say you used a straight stitch set at 3 mm? Please help me to understand.
Thanks for the tutorial.
Angie B.
Posted: 12:50 pm on June 30th

LoopyLou writes: Thank you so much for the excellent instructions on shirring. I have never done it before and have been sewing for 24 years. Wow its brilliant such fun and produces such a professional finish to the garment. I love learning new techniques and this one is fantastic. I'm going to have so much fun. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge- very much appreciated. Happy Sewing :)
Posted: 10:07 am on April 27th

keily writes: Hello - pls pls pls help! I am a beginner with a sewing machine and i really want to make a shirred dress for a wedding - i have the elasticated thread in the bottom bobbin and normal thread in the top - i am using a Singer Concerto 2 sewing machine(which i dont have the instructuon manual) - i have it on the longest stitch - the straight stitch and have tried different tensions - but cannot get it to gather up! the elastic just doesnt seem to stretch!! Pls can someone help me!!
Thanks
Keily
Posted: 2:25 pm on April 6th

vickerypokery writes: Brilliant! Thank you - really clear instructions, just tried it out and have made a stylish little skirt for my long-legged fox. One of those things that I knew about but had never dared to try, but your post makes so much sense :-)
Posted: 8:04 am on March 29th

AkuTyger writes: I have used this to great effect on the simplest machine ever. Thanks for the great and very easy to understand tute!
Posted: 1:54 pm on January 7th

Loves_it writes: Jannel,
Make sure you use shirring elastic..it is quite fine and bring the elastic up like you would normally bring up the bobbin thread.

Then just use a normal Straight Stitch and everything else happeneds on it's own!
Posted: 6:16 pm on December 18th

Loves_it writes: I have always wanted to do this but never tried, I already had the elastic, I came across your instructions and OMG.........

All you girls in this post that aren't sure if you can do it.......JUST DO IT!!!!!!

It is sooooooooo easy, and my sleeves look fantastic now:)

Thank you so much Cal...You are a legend!


Posted: 6:13 pm on December 18th

Jannel writes: I can't get the elastic thread to come up in the machine. It doesn't grab it. How do you do this. Is it too heavy?
Jannel
Posted: 5:10 pm on December 18th

ella_rose writes: This is VERY helpful! But I have a challenge for you. I am trying to recreate these leggings that I have seen go for more money that I want to spend on my daughter. There are small strips of fabrics shirred then attached to the bottom part of the leggings to create ruffles. There are 4 rows of this then the hem is also shirred somehow. I have pictures that a friend sent me but now sure how to share them.
Posted: 9:52 am on July 28th

ILOVEYORKIES writes: Thank you Cal!
Posted: 12:22 am on June 3rd

CalPatch writes: iloveyorkies: DEFINITELY backstitch to anchor the elastic at the beginning and end of each seam. i usually go back and forth at least twice at each end!
Posted: 9:57 pm on June 1st

ILOVEYORKIES writes: Thank you for this info! I LOVE IT!!! With this process, do you backstitch at the beginning and end?
Posted: 4:29 pm on May 30th

atinoco writes: I love your ideas and the fact that you are willing to share them. I always look out for your contributions. I can't wait to try this one.
Posted: 9:57 pm on April 5th

CalPatch writes: gardenparty: it's really not difficult at all; try it! just practice on a scrap of the same fabric to get the tension right. the tension is controlled by how tightly you hand-wind the elastic thread onto the bobbin. have fun with it!
Posted: 10:26 am on January 28th

Toffy writes: Very nicely explained. I have never tried this, and bought the elastic thread years ago. I have to be sure it hasn't rotted and is still useable for use. Probably would be better to just buy new.
Posted: 9:05 am on January 28th

gardenpartynyc writes: is it really this easy?

i even have elastic thread from an ambitious spontaneous
purchase years ago.

sigh.

i don't know if i have the sewing chops for this.

ox
Posted: 9:43 pm on January 25th

panpan writes: thank you for explaining it so well! I'd love to try it out!
Posted: 12:09 pm on November 27th

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