Shirring is a Long Process…
but it’s Soooooo Worth It
About a month ago I started making 3 “quick” dresses! I thought, well I’ll just make a tube of fabric and shirr it into shape and make different variations. How wrong was i?! I’ve now completed one and having a little break before I get to the others!
The base was SUPER quick as expect but shirring took a long time. Stitching in circles on a wide piece of fabric, rewinding the bobbin 8 times, BY HAND, at the perfect tension = a long time. I’ll go through what I’ve done to create this look as I didn’t use a pattern, just in case someone else would like a go!
I took a piece of fabric (some kind of satin mix), using the whole width. I measured it into my body to see how long I wanted it (minus the frill, I’ll get to that!). Cut it to my desired length and sewed the 2 sides to create a back seam. I also made 4 straps(that were tucked in when I wore it). So they could tie up at my shoulders. I made these by using 8 strips, sewing them wrong sides together, trim the seams and turned inside out, pressed and top stitched.
For the frill, I made 2 strips same length as each other, the width of the fabric. I joined them at each short end (right sides together). Which made a circle of fabric double the length of my dress, this was then gathered equally onto the bottom of the dress and hemmed.
For shirring, for those that don’t know, I used shirring elastic in the bobbin. You have to hand wind, taut but not as tight as the machine would do it. When shirring a lot, this process is done many times, I done it about 8 times. REMEMBER TO TEST ON YOUR FABRIC BEFORE YOUR PROJECT! The settings on my machine was a 4mm straight stitch, but this may be different on your machine, but usually if it’s not working well, it’s the bobbin. With each line of stitches I left a 1/4 inch gap but this can be changed to suit your desired look!
I then put elastic round the top for added stability as well as attaching the straps! And WALLAH… done. It was a very satisfying process, even if it took me ages. The steps are simple, yet effective and I can’t wait to het these other two I’ve cut out completed so keep your eyes peeled for future posts containing a variation of this!!
I got to wear this to my cousins 30th, seeing all my family. My Nanny’s sister, my great auntie Jean, said my Nanny would be proud of me with my sewing, I only wish I got into sewing when she was still with us, to see what I can do now and to have helped me whilst teach myself. She was a real professional, and I’m pretty sure she helps me in some sort of way anyway!
