Shirring the Fabric - let’s make fabric!

[@madeleineschwarrtz7433]

What a simple way to smock!! Thank you!!!

[@DowntownTailoring]

Glad you liked it!🥰

[@sarasorensen2650]

I'm so grateful for technology. I never knew how to change the bobbin tension until this video. I could have used this years ago.

[@EvangelistSharonJ]

Thank you sooo much! I have elastic thread and tried to use it with a heavy duty needle, of course, with NO SUCCESS😂.

[@DowntownTailoring]

😅😅😅

[@dm4859]

Super tip! Thank you!😊

[@rebeshirley4276]

Love it! Thank you for the idea! ❤

[@DowntownTailoring]

You are so welcome! 😊

[@RandomalinaLF]

Gorgeous! You make everything look so easy

[@DowntownTailoring]

Thank you! 😊

[@SBVancouver]

That’s clever. You’re so smart.

[@DowntownTailoring]

You are so kind! Thanks 💕

[@drklstyk]

I would totally attend your sewing class :D if you had one

[@BaronessJames]

I have elastic thread left from my mom and I didn't know how to use it. Thanks a lot!

[@DowntownTailoring]

You are welcome 😊

[@brksofficial4386]

So cool!!

[@DowntownTailoring]

🥰🥰🥰

[@sdime1170]

wonderful ❤️, thank you so much 🙏 for a quick tutorial. other peoples videos are just boring and time consuming.

[@DowntownTailoring]

Glad you liked it!! 🥰

[@h0n3ybr0wn016]

Thank you for the tip on lowering the tension on the bobbin my shirring thread would pop my sewing thread in the middle of stitch 🤍

[@DowntownTailoring]

Yes! That will change the game for you 🥰

[@tammyjohnson8150]

I’ve seen this technique used before and it seems to work quite well. I haven’t personally tried it yet though. I do wonder if you’re using a zigzag stitch? As you said that you sew normally. So I am unclear what you mean by that? When I saw the technique used before, I am pretty sure that they used a zigzag stitch. However I am not certain of that. Which is why I haven’t tried it myself. I’m unsure of what stitch to use. Also, do you backstitch at all? Just wondering. Really would like to try this out as I have lost weight and it makes clothes fit nicely as I continue losing weight. Thank you for your videos. Happy Sewing 🦋

[@thebookwyrmslair6757]

THANK YOU!!! My daughter LOVES these tops and dresses! She's been begging for me to make her one. :)

[@DowntownTailoring]

Woohoo! My Pleasure!!

[@Cloudnerd]

your machine looks like it sews like butter, so smooth!

[@DowntownTailoring]

It is! I’m in love with it 🥰

[@rosemariebenson3720]

Love this !!

[@DowntownTailoring]

Thanks 💕

[@jayneterry8701]

Fun! 😊

[@DowntownTailoring]

It is! 🥰

[@yettaloyd507]

Love your videos thank you ❤

[@DowntownTailoring]

So glad! Thanks 💕

[@patriciamcvey9828]

Do you use regular thread on the top and the elastic one in the bobbin? You make it look so easy! I have different clothes that have missing shirring that I can use this technique upon.

[@DowntownTailoring]

Yes! Regular thread on top, elastic in the bobbin. Cheers 😊

[@Tallz_Nest]

Thanks for this ​@@DowntownTailoring

[@speshedtv]

❤Thank you!

[@DowntownTailoring]

No problem 😊

[@Sharayah144]

Wow I didn’t know bobbins had tensioning 😅

[@brinta19]

🙏🏼

[@MarithaAndersen]

I don't have a bobbin case like yours. I have transparent bobbins that you load directly into the 'hole' underneath the needle on the machine. I don't know if there is a way to lower the tension on the bobbin like mine. Do you? Another question: you don't pull on the fabric when you see? Doesn't it 'curl up' when you get down to seam 5-6-7? Also, everywhere I read, it says to wind the bobbin by hand, when you wind the elastic thread, but you do it on the machine, so that's OK, too?

[@DowntownTailoring]

Hi! I’ll try to answer everything. You can wind the thread by hand, but you have to be sure that you are adding a little tension while doing it. Otherwise you take the risk to clog the thread while is coming out and damage your work. Although I don’t pull the fabric, I do make sure is flat when sewing it. In machines like yours you still can lower the tension but it is trickier. I’m going to make a video answering all your questions and will tag you. Cheers

[@MarithaAndersen]

@@DowntownTailoring thanks a lot. The main reason for my questions are that I have one working hand/arm, so I have to find ways to do things differently. Winding bobbin on the machine while holding the thread would work. And since I can't pull on the fabric while stearing it from the front of the needles, only making sure it's flat would probably work, too, as long as it doesn't 'curl up back on itself' behind the needles while sewing the smocking. Really want to try, but am afraid that it would be too difficult and just become a mess. This makes me hopeful, so thank you❤️

[@eugeniekoenders1570]

😊 thanks

[@DowntownTailoring]

You're welcome! 🥰🥰🥰

[@rivitraven]

Is the top elastic theead too?

[@MarithaAndersen]

No, regular tread on top🧵

[@drkatel]

I'm super frustrated. On my beginner's sewing machine (Singer Stylist) I had no problem shirring. I replaced it with the more advanced heavy duty machine and I cannot get the tension right for shirring. 🤷‍♀️

[@DowntownTailoring]

I guess this is a machine without the bobbin... I understand your frustration. It might help if you steam the smock right after you sew it. Good luck! 😊

[@courtneyripperoni3704]

Pl you just you the elastic in the bobbin, and regular thread for on top?

[@Valleygirl4lifeCreations]

Yes

[@pritythedoll6897]

How to purchase this type of elastic.

[@DowntownTailoring]

Try Wawak. In general any sewing supplies would have it. Good luck!

[@betsydelai3773]

I wish I could do this with my machine. I read on a Brother you have to loosen the bobbin and I won't touch my bobbin.

[@DowntownTailoring]

Yes. It's a little scary!

[@raraavis7782]

You can purchase a second one for decorative threads and elastic. They're not very expensive. Or maybe you can even get a used one from a broken machine.

[@negina]

What does smock effect mean? I know what shorting is but not smock … ☹️

[@DowntownTailoring]

Hi! It means gathered, but it in a wider effect. I mean, Instead of one gathered line, you have a few of them. I hope I was able to explain myself. Cheers 🥰

[@thebookwyrmslair6757]

I broke out my machine as soon as I got home, loaded the bobbin with elastic thread, loosened the bobbin case, sewed a line... and nothing. I tried the technique on both flannel and quilting cotton (both washed, so no stiffening in them). What am I doing wrong? I noticed that you were giving the thread a pinch as it loaded on the spool. Are you tightening it on the bobbin spool? If so, how do you get it to not relax before it goes on the case? I'm using the smallest straight stitch at 6 tension on a Singer Start. Do I need to loosen the upper needle tension? The bobbin doesn't flow like water, but it's not too hard to pull the thread out - it feels like normal thread? Thanks for any tips you can give me!

[@DowntownTailoring]

Hi. I feel the problem might be with the length of the stitches. Try 3. The bobbin tension should be a little lose but not much. Please, let me know how it goes. Cheers 😊

[@raraavis7782]

If you can't get it to work, you can also sew a zickzack over the elastic thread. Your machine might even have a specific foot, that makes sewing over a decorative/elastic thread easier.

[@thebookwyrmslair6757]

​@@DowntownTailoringI figured it out! I kept it on the smallest stitch length, lowered the upper tension back to 6, which seems to be my machine's sweet spot, and tightened the bobbin case until I met minimal resistance. 😊😊 Now I just have to figure out how to keep the fabric going through straight after the first row of stitches because it wants to curve!😂 THANK YOU for your help!

[@thebookwyrmslair6757]

​@@raraavis7782Are you talking about essentially laying the elastic on the fabric and then using normal thread with a zigzag stitch to capture the elastic? Or keep elastic thread in the bobbin case and set my machine to zigzag? Thank you for your hint!

[@raraavis7782]

@@thebookwyrmslair6757 Yes, exactly. You basically create a casing for the elastic with the zickzack. Of course, you can also double the fabric with a thin lining fabric or such and just sew straight rows, creating tunnels. And then use a big embroidery needle, to get the elastic through the tunnel. All options. Using it in your bobbin is the most convenient, though. I personally don't like to do that, because I'm afraid it might mess with the thingy that adjusts the tension. It's not really meant for such a bulky thread, after all. I used to have a second bobbin case specifically for this, but that machine broke down, unfortunately.

[@jeannestewart3636]

What size and kind of needle, please?

[@DowntownTailoring]

Hi! I used 14 sz needle for this one. Cheers 😊

[@joycedete]

hie my elastic is too thick , i did loosen my bolbin tension but still its difficuilt to let my elastic comes out through that hole (to pull it out)