What is the technique?

Shirring is creating fabric that is contracted into a smaller size when gathered along multiple parallel rows of straight stitching. Shirring is usually executed by using elastic thread in the bobbin (called Basic Shirring) or with a band of elastic (called Elastic Shirring) with the aid of a sewing machine.

 

What are the materials needed?

• Fabric (lightweight for easy gathering)
• Thread
• Elastic thread
• Elastic band
• Sewing machine
• Chalk or pen (to mark your lines)

 

How to achieve the technique?

Basic Shirring

1. Prepare fabric and elastic thread

2. Mark lines for shirring (optional)

3. Wind the elastic thread to bobbin (manually or using machine)

4. Start sewing (freely or as planned)

 

Elastic Shirring

1. Prepare fabric

2. Stretch the elastic band as much to mark the end point of the elastic

3. Pin one end of the elastic to the fabric

4. Pull the elastic as you sew

 

What are the uses and applications of the technique?

• Wearable items (clothes)
• Pouches

 

Photos of experimentation with technique

Results of Basic Shirring

Material used for Set #1: Cotton

 

Results of Elastic Shirring

Material used for Set #1: Cotton

Material used for Set #2: Felt

 

Own personal reflections

Out of these 2 shirring techniques, I personally prefer the elastic thread as it has a cleaner look after sewing.

The elastic band requires me to pull as much so that the outcome would not be too loose. However, the outcome that I had was what I feared. It may be because I did not pull as taut enough and/or perhaps the elastic band that I had was already loose.