Hi Everyone! Let's talk about - Sewing With Elastics! Using elastic is a great way to create a flexible fit for a variety of design elements. Whether you choose to use a casing on a waistline, shirring on a bodice, or a stitched elastic on a sleeve hem - knowing and understanding the proper way to sew them in is a must!
My hope is that after this course, you will have the confidence to sew with any type of elastic you choose!
Are you ready? Let's go...
In the videos posted below, I share with you an overview of the month-long topic and then take a deep dive into our first tutorial - shirring with elastic thread. This a fun technique and once you work through any machine set up issues, you should be able to use it confidently in future projects!
Special note - If you are using a top loading bobbin, you may need to work with your bobbin tension settings to get this technique to work effectively. You might want to wind your bobbin a bit tighter as well.
Pattern Overview (designs with elastic shirring):
- Liberty Jane Boomerit Falls Dress
Shirring WIth Elastic Thread Summary:
- This technique works best with lighter weight fabrics such as quilting cotton and knit. This won't work well on a heavier fabric like denim.
- Hand wind your bobbin. Keep the tension stable, not too tight, not too loose.
- Use all-purpose thread as your top thread.
- Insert the bobbin into your machine.
- Set your stitch length to 4-5 (or close tot he longest setting on your machine)
- Stitch even rows along your fabric. 1/8" apart for doll clothes, 3/8" to 1/2" for girls/women.
- Keep the fabric flat when sewing, don't sew over gathers or puckers.
- Mist or steam your finished stitching to shrink up the elastic fibers.
Resources:
Here are some online resources for this topic:
- Guterman Elastic Thread - Amazon
- Singer Elastic Thread - Amazon
- Dritz Elastic Thread - Amazon
Week One task:
- Parctice, practice, practice!
Next Tuesday - Week 2: Casings for elastics
6 Comments
I’ve never tried shirring before. Thank you for the instructions! I feel more confident about trying this technique!
I have a spool in my sewin drawer that I have been afraid to use! Now that I have seen this video, I will surely try it! I can use my featherweight with the lower bobbin to sew it! Thank you so much Cinnamon!
OMG, my first lesson on elastic, and I found out what to do with that spool of elastic thread that’s been in my drawer for years because I didn’t know what to use it for. It would even be good for doll clothes sleeves that need a ruffle on the bottom so it looks nicer and not heavy with the wider elastic. I am psyched to try this out!
Will you address the top loading bobbin at a later date?
Thanks for selecting this topic. It’s just what I need to learn right now. lol