Elastics - Topic Overview & Shirring With Elastic Thread

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