Shirring!

Shirring is everywhere in the shops at the moment - at least it is in the childrenswear departments! So I decided I would try to shirr another pillowcase to make another dress for Daisy. There are loads of websites and blogs on shirring and I read a lot... some were definitely more helpful than others. But there is no substitute for getting your machine out and trying it. And through trial and error (lots of error!) I got there! I'm really happy with the dress - more detail is on my Sewing page.

Some things I found helpful on using elastic thread, or shirring thread:

1. Hand wind the elastic thread onto your bobbin. Do not stretch the elastic when winding it, it needs to be fairly relaxed, but not loose.

2. Use the longest stitch length your machine has.

3. Use your normal tension on your machine (Some say to loosen your tension, but then I found that the thread did not 'gather' - you had to pull the elastic through by hand to create the gathers. Trust me, unless you have the patience of Job and a very light touch (I have neither), you do not want to do this.)

4. Use a good quality shirring thread - I found Guterman elastic thread very good and it comes in a range of colours.

5. Always test it out on a scrap piece of fabric first - I usually have no patience for this, but found it essential for this. Then you can adjust the tension of the elastic on your bobbin if need be.

6. I did not backstitch at the start and ends of rows. This means that if you do (though hopefully you won't) have to pull the elastic through slightly to adjust your 'gathers' it is nice and easy. Leave a tail at the start and end of your work. You can knot the ends together once you are finished, and then I just stitch them into a seam, or run a line of stitches over them to hold them down.

7. Lightweight fabric works the best for this.