Sewing shirring question

Danien

Hi, I'm a new machine sewer. I tried to do some shirring yesterday on thin cotton three hole broderie anglaise.

The elastic kept breaking, not sure why. I had it on standard machine tension, longest stitch and hand wound the elastic on the bobbin.

I accidentally did an earlier bit of shirring on the shortest stitch and this seemed much more stable and no breaking.

Not entirely sure what I'm doing wrong.

Katiehound

Sorry can't really help even having sewn for..... many years.

Don't think I have tried shirring but I remember when I was making rag doll clothes and I needed gathering on the mob cap I used thin hat elastic  laid on the fabric & sewed a wide zigzag over it to hold the elastic in place which certainly worked.

Danien

Thanks for responding anyway katiehound, I had been considering elastic channels instead, but decided to change the needle that came with the machine to a schmetz needle (apparently excellent quality needles) and all of a sudden the shirring started working and have now managed to complete the bodice shirring. I'm feeling so proud that I managed it and the effect looks really good and fits really well.

I'm so addicted to machine sewing now. I'd love to do more every day, but due to disability I can only do a short amount at a time due to pain and exhaustion. I can't wait to finish my dress.

Katiehound

Glad you have sorted the problem.

I generally sew with ballpoint/ jersey needles as I find they behave better with all materials (not just jersey!)

Danien

Katiehound said:

Glad you have sorted the problem.

I generally sew with ballpoint/ jersey needles as I find they behave better with all materials (not just jersey!)

Thanks for the info, I'll bear that in mind going forward.