shirring help

[leximom]

I have been trying to shirr a little dress for my dd, but I can't get it right : I have been messing with the tension, stitch length and how taut the the elastic thread is wound. Even with the widest stitch and tightest tension it's coming out completely flat. I have watched a few videos and I am doing what they say...any other ideas of what I could be doing wrong?

[2M's Mom]

I don't know how to do it. But, I scanned in a few pages from a book I have. I'm sending it to you. Hope it helps!

[momadancer]

could you send me the pages also. i have having the same problem and i really want to figure this out!!

thank you so much

[Carolinamidwife]

Shirring is really easy once you get the hang of it.

1. Wind the bobbin tightly. It will unravel a little when you let it go but I do it as tightly as I can with my machine's bobbin winder.

2. Set your stitch tension at 9

3. Set your stitch length as long as it will go

4. Stretch as you go

5. If it still doesn't seem stretchy steam it a little

Take what you've already done and steam it a little with your iron... see if it perks up a little. If your shirring thread still has bounce (old thread can get crispy) and your machine is threaded correctly it should work.