How to Shirr with Elastic Thread 

I've seen many different videos on showing but yours is the Best buy far .. you're complete... You cover every detail necessary to learn this technique.!!! Thank you so much for being a good teacher!!!

Best video for Shirring elastic thread!

i'm glad this video is still available after all these years! I'm trying to learn this technique and your video is by far the best one. Thank you, subscribing to your channel now

Very informative video! I came here to learn how to use elastic thread to machine mend an elastic waistband on a store bought pair of slacks. Thanks for making this how to video. Much appreciated!

Lovely. Really well explained and no annoying background music! Calm and confident. Makes me think, I can do this!! Thanks

I love shirred garments and ruffles. Still consider myself a beginner, but ready to tackle shirring. I did it! Made myself a top with the same fabric I used to make shorts a couple weeks ago. Next time, will try winding the elastic thread on my top loading Brother sewing machine. Had to reload my bobbins too frequently. I bought a large spool (500 yards) of elastic thread, so I have plenty for several more garments. I am so excited!

Thanks for very clear instructions. I found it to be very clear, useful and practical, enough so that I can use this technique in making a few pieces of clothes.

Great tutorial all the others say you have to alter tension and I don’t enjoy playing with my tension x

I have a couple of skirts (probably 10 years old or more) that have shirred waists. They're summery, boho type skirts- perfect for the hot weather we have for 4-5 months here in Australia, especially if it's really humid. Nothing worse than a sticky heat with clothes that cling to you or anything that feels just too tight. I was hoping to make some more skirts in a slightly more modern style but with a shirred waistband. Thanks for this very clear tutorial.

I can see the effect after going through the steamed iron, nice and neat.

Thank you for this tutorial. I've been searching long enough for something like this. I love wearing long skirts (maxi if you prefer to call them like that) but I hate how the regular elastic on the waist feels. But this shirring idea is superb. Thx.

Thank you for this! I'm going to use this technique with pants!

Amazing your vid, came up as a recommended video. I'm attaching 2 parts, the main skirt to the waistband, the waist band will be shirred as will a couple of rows of shirring on the main skirt, I wish to achieve full skirt finish look with double the width of the waist, hopefully my idea will work. Fabulous vid thank you Melly :)

Make a top the same way, thanks for showing how you pulled the thread forward, tied them off.

Thanks Mel for this informative video and hello from Queensland Australia. 😊

I want to Thank you very much. I was following another DIY Which they failed to state we need to double the material. I do have a drop in bobbin & the elastic thread worked great uaing bobbin winder. I also used tge gathering foot. Thank you sooo very much.

I always do my elastic thread in my bobbin ,heaps better results than hand winding .

Great tutorial, exactly what I was looking for x.

Excellent video Milly, good instruction:)

very good tutorial

Thank you for this...

great job! thank you

I have such a hard time bringing the elastic thread up through the plates that I gave up lol. But I think I'll give it another go 😁 xx

Very good video! Now I can repair my harem pants' waistband which stretched out after years of wearing. I have one question: when you wind the elastic thread on the bobbin, do you wind it stretched or relaxed? Or it doesn't matter?

Hi Melly. So, I have to cut the bodice fabric larger to allow for the shrinkage? That seems tricky…

Do you do shirt cuffs the same way. Do I shirred the cuffs then attached it with the same elastic thread?

I love skirts like this in the summer I can't wait to try this but I was curious, I like mine with pockets and I was wondering if you have instructions how to install inset pockets for a skirt like this

this was very very very helpful. thanks. help me with a skirt that is 34 waist. But want a 24 waist. how .much elastic do I use.😊☺☺☺☺

Really helpful video! Little question, Can you do this with a dress at the hight of the waist? or do you have to shir the skirt first and afterwards attach the body of the dress? Thanks in advance

hi I tried this yesterday on a dress and it was so easy,however when i went to do more today........it didn`t work! i hadn`t changed anything at all!

Thank you for this! @MellySews, If you have a tube top, which has many rows of shirring, can the ends of the rows be secured within the seam of the garment? So, bypassing the knotting at each end of the rows.

I get NO stretch when I stitch. The shirring elastic stays 'loose' at the back. What am I doing wrong?

Hi thank you sharing. Do you adjust the tensions of the upper thread?

what size needle do you use?

Hi First of all Thank You for your videos and easy to understand instructions. I have a blouse that has elastic thread shirring in three rows at the top (collar) edge and sleeves (it is an off shoulder sleeve style). The elastic stretched out after the first washing. As if it must have been rotted. Is there a way to repair and replace without removing the original elastic

Do you need a special foot and needle or just the one that comes with the machine? My basic foot is the J and I use universal needles for most fabric.

I wish you had shown threading the bobbin….

hi great video... do you need to increase the tension .. if so to what ..if no what number does it have to be on . thanks x

Is that 0.8mm? And thank you so much for the video! I'm really excited to start this project but I only have 1/4" and wider elastic. I'm going to need to order it online because it is just not a good idea for anyone to make non essential outings, blah blah blah. I'm high risk for complications so I need to not let myself think this is essential. 😏😩🙃Longest way ever of saying "I want to order the right one". Please. Oh and do you think I could get a similar desired effect with a few rows spaced 4" or so of the 1/4"? Maybe 3 rows? And does that steam trick work with 1/4" and larger as well or is that limited to the elastic thread? I'm teaching myself to sew and as much as I love the journey, I'd like to finish one project without ripping threads out at least twice.

What machine were you using at the time please?

My machine is not gathering at all what could I be doing wrong

Hi do you have a baby dress like this please

What tension please

@mellysews do you use elastic thread on the top bobbin too?

Disipointed. Would have liked to see the finished garment on a person at the end.