How to Sew with shirring elastic by Debbie Shore

After so many questions this week about shirring, I've made a quick video to explain, I hope you find this useful!

[carolilseanne]

Thank you!!! Lovely calm, quiet, simple demo, I recently acquired a Granddaughter and I want to make little 'Old-fashioned' dresses (I used to wear them so they must be!) for her, and I have reels and reels of different colours of shirring elastic so I needed someone to show me how to machine with it. Thanks again 🥰

[carolehale]

As always, Debbie's in strive videos are so well done, simple and friendly - and to the point! Love them!

[kimhandy]

Great demo! I've been wanting to try this and have even purchased the thread. I feel a bit braver now. Thank you! 🥰

[conqueringmountscrapmorewi]

Hello and I hope you have had a lovely day. I'm still sick but I'm so grateful to have these videos to watch and get to listen to you chat. Thank you for posting and sharing your time and talent.

[elaine]

Where would we be without our Debbie! Lovely tutorial. This as given me some confidence to have a go. Thank you :)
By the way looks lovely on sleeves.

[jankerslake]

This was really helpful and you explain it so clearly. Thank you. You’ve inspired me to try this now.

[absewlutelyfabulous]

I wind it on the machine slowly holding the elastic loosely. Learned this in series one I think of Sewing Bee from one of the contestants and it works a treat.

[sheilaflude]

Fantastic Debbie, I'm going to have a go at shirring now. Thankyou xx

[queens]

Debbie, That was such an informative video. I really appreciate it! Thank you.

[ColleenMEA]

Subscribed! Thanks for this demo. I have been scared to try but this has given me a much needed kick to try.

[ritaadler-everett]

Thanks Debbie. I'm happy to have watched your live video as well. It was helpful to see the challenges that might present themselves and that our first time may not be problem free.

[ltvanburen]

Thank you for this! I’ve been looking for just this tutorial to make myself a comfy, but dressy, La Ligne- type dress.

[bizburgess]

Wow you almost made me brave enough to give hand wound bobbins a try. I known about it for years but didn't know how it would work in my drop in bobbin holder on computerized machine.

[jackiemadden]

Always look forward to your videos you have such a wealth of knowledge thanks for sharing with everyone

[twliiiiight]

As someone who had no idea how to shirr, this tutorial was great with the easy to understand steps, pace and tips. One question though, why can’t the shirring thread be threaded normally on the machine?

[gorgo]

Today I found a nice pattern for a dress with shirring on the sleeves and wondered how to go about it. Poof! up comes your video - I will have to do it now:-)) Thank you Debbie for your very good instructions as always. I feel more confident to give shirring a try. xx

[carlyar]

Oh, I wish I had seen this before I tried using the elastic thread!
I didn’t understand why it wasn’t working, but I use the bobbin winder on my machine. I’m going have to hand a bobbin and try again. Thank you!

[grumpy_poo]

Here's a little tip.... I don't have the dexterity to hand wind the bobbin I set my machine to the lowest speed put the bobbin on the machine and engage it as normal, thread the elastic through the little hole at the top of the bobbin and secure with a couple of turns then wind the bobbin as normal on the machine but holding the elastic slightly taut instead of threading it on the machine.... It works for me. I leave long ends at the end of each row and tie them securely.

[carial]

what keeps it from unraveling? What do you do when you have to change the bobbin? Tie it?
Lovely video, you have a wonderful voice. Looking forward to watching your other videos. Thank you.

[annettehenry]

Wow, thank you so much for this super easy to follow tutorial. I was trying to elasticate a trouser waist by hand, now I feel I can try this instead. Also, the little iron, can you or anybody else tell me where I might find one (UK) thank you.