Shirring

[blackpeace.livejournal.com]

 I've been thinking of attempting shirring in a future dress I plan on making. I've seen/read a few tutorials on how to shir, but what exactly is elastic thread? Is it thread that is rubbery and can be stretched like a rubber band (sorry :X)? Or just normal thread with a little spring to it?

*edit: sorry I have another question to ask. For the rectangle shaped skirts, how much fabric must you use to get the same type of shape as Btssb or Meta's skirts? I attempted this last night, but it doesn't look quite right, not as bell-shaped/flared out as I would've liked it to. :X Thing is, I don't want to chuck it away because the fabric is really good (and efforts wasted T_T), but when I tried it with another skirt underneath (you know, sort of acting as a petticoat), the shape wasn't very nice. Any suggestions on how to rectify this? 

Comments

[aingli-deas.livejournal.com]

For shirring you use regular elastic (like 1/8 inch or quarter) and sew it on with an elastic foot (it stretches the elastic as you sew for you so it's even). The elastic thread doesn't look as nice, IMO.

[blackpeace.livejournal.com]

It doesn't look like normal thread right? Oh..and I have to get an elastic foot as well. Right, thanks!

[aingli-deas.livejournal.com]

No, like regular elastic that you buy to put in waist bands and stuff.

This is how the lolita brands do it. And isn't that complicated with the elastic foot.

Good luck!

[sky-tipped.livejournal.com]

its the thread with an elastic running through it.

[chibirinoa.livejournal.com]

I'm working on a shirred dress right now, using a rectangle shape piece with the top half shirred every inch or so. I used elastic thread that looked like this: http://www.beadswild.com/Pics/ElasticThread/REC5CLOTHTHREADWHITE.jpg
I got it for 40 cents at Walmart. So far it looks perfect IMO. I would post some pictures but I don't have my camera cord with me ;.;

[blackpeace.livejournal.com]

Oh thanks! I'll look around for something like that. :)

[soadchik.livejournal.com]

most sewing stores will have elastic thread.. look in the notions section where all the other thread is. but it's the stuff chibirinoa posted comes iwth black and white :) I LOVE that stuff to make skirts with! also an easy tutorial is here:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=49544.0 and http://www.sewnews.com/resources/qa/qa0506a/

make the rectangle of fabric longer and that will make it pouf out more.

[ugly-kitties.livejournal.com]

For a rectangle skirt (the only kind I make! n_n Trapezoids are too much trouble) what you should do is cut from edge to edge of the fabric if it's the 45" wide variety; i.e. your rectangles should probably be at least 40" wide plus seam allowances for ideal poof.

[ugly-kitties.livejournal.com]

to clarify... your rectangles should be 40"xthe length of the skirt + seam allowances. And for the record, I've found that rectangle skirts have a better shape with a real waistband (even elasticated) than simply folding the top of the skirt over, but I'm ready to be disproven.

[saabisu.livejournal.com]

No, no, I agree. Much prettier. You can control where it starts too poof out more.

[crownprince.livejournal.com]

trapezoids are definately troublesome ;__;

do you know if there's any big difference between a rectangle and a trapezoid, as in looks?

[ugly-kitties.livejournal.com]

I've heard there's not much, though I'd assume a trapezoid looks maybe a little more tailored, whereas a rectangle comes off as much more cupcakey.

[crownprince.livejournal.com]

oohhh, thanks for the info 8D!

[blackpeace.livejournal.com]

Folding the top over as in for making channels to put the elastic through? These look not as good as a proper waistband? *sorry, am a bit confused*

[ugly-kitties.livejournal.com]

That's pretty much what I mean. It looks better to make a real waistband to channel the elastic through than to just fold the top down over the elastic. Not sure why, just does. xD;

[blackpeace.livejournal.com]

Oh.........ok. I shall try that with another skirt.Thanks. :)

[lozpie.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean but how do you make a 'real' waistband?

[ugly-kitties.livejournal.com]

Oh, uh... Well... *deep breath*

You take a rectangle that is as long as your hip measurement (maybe an inch more?) plus seam allowances, and it should be three times as wide as you expect the waistband to be, so say you want a 1" waistband, the width should be 3". Fold it in half lengthwise and iron it flat, then open it back up and fold/iron the sides halfway in (so with your 3" wide rectangle, the edges should be 1/2" away from the center fold). Then fold/iron it in half again (i.e. re-iron that center crease), and place the waistband so it's like the edges are biting the top of the skirt. n_n;; Not much, though, maybe 1/4" of the top of the skirt should be covered, a little more if you're nervous about missing. Sew the waistband down, but leave a gap in your stitching maybe 2" wide to allow you to put the elastic in. Thread in the elastic with a safety pin, sew the ends of it together, and then stretch out the part of the waistband with the gap and sew that closed. (p.s. the elastic should be 4-5" smaller than your waist, in my experience)

n_n; Hope that was helpful and not too long-winded or babbly!

[blackpeace.livejournal.com]

Does the skirt rectangle have to be the same length (i.e 3 inches in your example) as the waistband?

[blackpeace.livejournal.com]

whoops, sorry, i don't mean inches. >.

[ugly-kitties.livejournal.com]

...sorry, what? o_o; A 3"-long skirt?

[blackpeace.livejournal.com]

Like if you make a waistband that is x inches long, must the length of the rectangle fabric for the skirt across be x inches long as well?

[lozpie.livejournal.com]

I get it! Thanks! :D