Shir- Fire Success: The Shirred Top Tutorial (No Fooling!)

 

I made myself  a super comfy fairly easy new blouse using elastic thread shirring!

A few of my Me Made March buddies said they'd like a tutorial so...

Here We Go!! 

( A little late. My PDF creating skillz are lacking!!!)

 

For this project you'll need:

Supplies:

• Prewashed and ironed fabric. 1.5-2 yards
• Matching and contrasting thread
• Elastic thread

Tools :

• measuring tape
• scissors
• marking method (tracing wheel and paper or dressmaker's pencil or pen is best)
• straight edge
• sewing machine 
• downloaded PDF

1: 

Use the PDF to measure and cut the pieces for your shirt.

It's a few steps to get the measurements done.

The Math is easy!

2:

Mark your cut pieces on the 'right side' of the fabric.

use a straight edge and a more precise marking tool.

Straight lines to follow make all the difference!

More info on this step is in the PDF.

3: 

Hand wind your bobbin with the elastic thread.

Don't Pull It Tight.

4:

Join and hem pieces according to PDF instructions.

Use  matching thread to make these stitch lines less obvious.

( No pic, sorry, I just forgot to take one!!)

5:

Load elastic bobbin, thread machine with
contrasting thread for a more Faux smocked look

and set stitch length to the longest possible.

Start shirring.

Right side up, stitching carefully on the lines you marked.

Pull the fabric gently as you go, to make the few inches 

in front of the presser foot flat.

6:

Pull the cotton thread through to the back
and knot it to the elastic thread as you go. 

The stretchy nature of the elastic thread
will pull itself loose very quickly

7: 

When you are done your shirring should look like this!~

If it's looser, a little blast of steam from your iron will help it gather.

8:

Join final sleeve to back panel.

(Again no pic. I got too excited!)

(you could try and do this before you shir, 

but I like having the flatter garment to work on

what with all the bunching that is already involved!)

And then sew down the sides.

9:

Hem and Wear it!

I love these silly little blouses because they are perfect for warm weather. 

Comfy and breezy.

All the tiny knots take a little time, 

But I will probably wear this once a week all summer! 

And if you get the shirring principle down?

You can add shirred wasitbands,  or smaller rectangular panels, little plackets...

The imagination reels!

Sew On, My dearies!

Betty