How to Shirr with Elastic Thread

How to sew with elastic thread - use this shirring technique to make a stretchy waist skirt from woven fabric. Blog post with more details and shirring projects: mellysews.com/how-to-sew-with...
Links to tools in video, commissions earned on these links
Elastic thread amzn.to/37itNjG
Videos featured at end of this video:
1 - • How to Sew a Henley Pl...
2 - • How to Sew a Simple Skirt
3 - • How to Sew a Zipper Po...

[@helenlong5555]

Best video for Shirring elastic thread!

[@Mellysews]

Thanks!

[@57ncis6491]

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!!!

[@Mellysews]

Thanks!

[@renatastec5212]

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

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for subbing!

[@rconach]

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!

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@lisakennealy1695]

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

[@Mellysews]

Have fun sewing!

[@cheshkat6321]

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!

[@Mellysews]

Wonderful!

[@101boertjie]

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.

[@Mellysews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@loverlyme]

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.

[@Mellysews]

Glad it's helpful!

[@angelamcgovern1525]

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

[@Mellysews]

It really depends on your machine whether you have to alter the tension or not.

[@leewhite8355]

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

[@Mellysews]

It does depend on your machine

[@NickNack13]

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

[@Mellysews]

Happy sewing!

[@janellekm]

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

[@Mellysews]

Hello there!

[@AGNESC68]

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

[@Mellysews]

It's fun to watch it all curl up :)

[@AGNESC68]

@@Mellysews yes :D

[@juliescase5105]

Great tutorial, exactly what I was looking for x.

[@Mellysews]

Glad it helped!

[@saltlifegull4091]

Excellent video Milly, good instruction:)

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@martafeliciano1753]

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.

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@momgrandma5496]

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

[@Mellysews]

Glad it's helpful!

[@beetlebutterfly]

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 :)

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching, happy sewing!

[@ewill5004]

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

[@ladyluck2607]

great job! thank you

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@sandraruiz8660]

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.

[@Mellysews]

Glad I could help!

[@marysmith7313]

very good tutorial

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@keni937]

Thank you for this...

[@Mellysews]

Welcome 😊

[@joannehurst7301]

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.😊☺☺☺☺

[@2kidsinutah]

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

[@Mellysews]

Picture tutorial here: mellysews.com/2017/05/add-pockets-pattern.html Video tutorial for the general concept should be up later this month.

[@foxxybrown291]

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

[@Mellysews]

foxxybrown291 sometimes that's the hardest step!

[@ln6974]

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

[@Mellysews]

Yes

[@bambievans2920]

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

[@Mellysews]

It varies from machine to machine, it's best to experiment with yours first.

[@larawalker4737]

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.

[@Mellysews]

You could try that, but there's a good chance the elastic thread would get in between the seam stitches and slip out.

[@larawalker4737]

@@Mellysews Thank you so much for your reply. I guess I'll knot them. Have a great day!

[@hylkedanckaers7868]

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

[@Mellysews]

Yes, you can sew a dress and then shirr the waist.

[@sophazhang303]

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

[@Mellysews]

No

[@dvorak920289]

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?

[@Mellysews]

Check out the blog post I linked in the description - I talk about how to make that choice.

[@denisespigner5684]

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

[@Mellysews]

I think the original elastic will get in the way of any repair.

[@chytrim901]

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.

[@elizabethdejager2229]

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

[@Mellysews]

Check the blog post linked in the video description for more tips

[@susancliff5485]

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!

[@Mellysews]

If you left a bobbin half full it may have gained slack.

[@eileenmoore9934]

what size needle do you use?

[@Mellysews]

More about that here kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmSYmIpumNJ7a5Y

[@LisaLisa001]

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.

[@Mellysews]

1/4" elastic is much bigger than this. What I am using in the video is literally called elastic thread. I got mine here: amzn.to/2UztZkA If you are using larger elastic, you'd need a completely different technique than what I show in this video. Stay home and stay healthy

[@loverlyme]

@@Mellysews It's also known as 'hat elastic' in some parts of the planet. I have no idea why but this is what I've always called it, the term being passed down through two previous generations.

[@suekeane]

@@loverlyme My mum called it hat elastic too, the young lady at spotlight (Australia) had no clue what I wanted lol

[@almabarlow837]

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

[@Mellysews]

I really couldn’t say specifically without seeing it in person.

[@vivienlee610]

What machine were you using at the time please?

[@Mellysews]

All about my machines here: mellysews.com/types-of-sewing-machines/

[@vivienlee610]

@@Mellysews Thank you!

[@tracycook5445]

Hi do you have a baby dress like this please

[@Mellysews]

No, but you can adapt this technique like I did here: mellysews.com/2016/06/easy-shirred-dress-tutorial.html

[@tamlcrucey]

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

[@Mellysews]

No.

[@tamlcrucey]

***** ok thank you!

[@gerriebell2128]

I wish you had shown threading the bobbin….

[@Mellysews]

The bobbin isn't threaded any differently than when I use regular thread.

[@sheilacooper8336]

What tension please

[@Mellysews]

It depends on your machine.

[@vestaharder2177]

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

[@Mellysews]

The finished garment is on a person at the beginning.