How to Sew a child's dress using shirring elastic

This is actually a simple dress but looks really expensive! No measurements for this one as you take your own measurements, the shirred area will shrink by half, so cut twice as much fabric but take off a few inches to allow for stretch.
There's lots of tips and advice in the video, choose a finer fabric for best results.
My fabric is pale pink spot cotton poplin with a border of Brier Woods Little Rose by Riley Blake.
Fabrics from debbieshoresewing.com

[@gerriebell2128]

I’m so happy to see this method come back. I used to make tops and dresses this way for my daughter from ages 2 to 5. She is now 48. Now I want to try making a dress like this for myself. You (or a child) can wear it as a dress, top, or as a pinafore with a blouse or t-shirt underneath. For small children, half a yard or meter of lightweight cotton selvage-to selvage makes a nice top or dress (depending on the child’s height). You can make it as a dress when the child is 2 or 3 and then she can wear it as a top with trousers or shorts when she is 4. I used to just sew as many rows of shirring as needed to gather up the fabric to fit around her nicely. And I found that the number of rows needed would vary according to how thick or thin the cotton was, or how tightly woven it was.. You can sew with two selvage-to-selvage pieces sewn together to create two side seams. For myself I’m going to try 1-1/2 times my bust or hip measurement then do the rows of shirring.

[@shirleypugh4177]

What a delightful idea Debbie. I have two little great granddaughters who would look gorgeous in one of these. Must go now and order some shirring elastic. I had no idea you could use this elastic in your bobbin! You learn something new every day, especially when watching Debbie Shore!! Thank you xx

[@SewAndTellwithDori]

Wonderful tutorial! I've never seen a video that shows how to shirr fabric using shirring elastic before. Had NO idea how fast and easy this process was! Was amazed watching the shirred fabric shrink while you were steaming it - very interesting! Very educational and very fun video. Love the 3-tiered look, too! Now, all I need to do is to find a little girl and make her a pretty little dress. Thank you so much, Debbie! Dori in California 🥰

[@victoriabar]

Fantastic, you made it look so easy ❤️ this weekend I will be buying some fabric and shirring elastic.

[@conqueringmountscrapmorewi2509]

My goodness, you do some awesome work! I'm still nursing my cold and resting as much as I can. I very much appreciate that you have shared this video and want to thank you for this. I hope you have a blissful day ahead!

[@yvonnemacleod3205]

What a lovely wee dress, all I need now is a grand daughter ☺️ thank you Debbie xx

[@ritaadler-everett5392]

You're amazing! When you say you'll do something, before you know it - there it is!

[@carolcurtis2220]

Hi Debbie. What a very pretty dress this is. I was prompted to look and luckily found a photo of me at 3years 7months taken at Yarmouth in 1952 wearing a very similar dress that my Nannie would have made for me. Shows how everything comes around again. Thank you for bringing back such wonderful memories for me. I now like in Melbourne, Australia. My only grandchild/daughter at 6 wouldn't be interested in anything like this but I did make a doll version for the Tilda doll I made recently. 👍🏻

[@hilltop9098]

Beautiful, all the fashion on the high street at the moment so perfect for our little ones as well. ❤️

[@anitalloydjones3738]

Can't wait to dash off to Abakhan Fabrics which is about 8 miles away from me to buy the material for this dress for my Granddaughter who is two on Thursday, Thank you so much Debbie, hope mine turns out as beautiful as yours. xxx

[@alisonlee4723]

Debbie this is so clever & fascinating ! I am glad Mouse is watching too 😉

[@smurfiennes]

Lovely little dress. I love smocked dresses.

[@christinemcauliffe1130]

Fantastic Debbie such a great video x

[@shirleyansty6185]

Thank you for this tutorial. It will be lovely for my granddaughters holiday.

[@marionmathews9852]

Brilliant tutorial! I really want to try this. Thank you so much.

[@janecampbell4486]

Thank you for this. I never knew how to do shirring.

[@valeriecutler3671]

Lovely tutorial always well explained. 😊

[@clickswiipemarketing7518]

Oh Debbie you are sooo pretty!!! Xx

[@annosullivan6017]

May try for a great niece!Looks easier enough to try🤞🤞

[@rashidaghazi1335]

Your tutorial is fabulous indeed.