How to Make a Shirred Fabric Summer Dress

This week a special SewingTips 101 will show you how to shirr fabric and create a cool new summer dress. So check out the videocheck out the video and get to work on some easy breezy summer clothes! For more DIY projects, subscribe to Threadbanger on iTunes!

For this project you will need:

Elastic thread
Regular Thread
Pins
Scissors
A Sewing Machine
Fabric

Step 1: Test it Out

For this dress you'll need to buy elastic thread and hand wind the elastic thread around the bobbin. Then put the bobbin in the machine and, using regular thread for the top, set your machine to a straight stitch with the longest length possible.I suggest first using a test strip for trying out shirring before you start on the actual garment. Make sure you lock your stitches and if the first row works, then create a few more rows at about half an inch apart. Use your presser foot as a guide.

Comments

[twinkie925]

Please forgive my ignorance because I am very, very new at sewing, but I'm curious is the bust measurement all the way around the body or just from armpit to armpit?

[lindsaylep]

A friend is giving me sewing lessons & I just attempted to make this, as my FIRST ever project completely by myself. And it actually turned out okay! There are some things I should have done a little differently, or paid attention to more, as I was doing it. But I'm just so proud of myself! Thanks for making such a great instructable of such a cute dress! I may be heading to the fabric store later today to buy more fabric & make another one ... this time not committing the same errors! Thanks again! Love it!

[angelkat80]

does anyone know how to attach pre shirred and non shirred fabric together?  im making a long dress with a shirred top, but the bottom is out of a different fabric.  any tips would be greatly appreciated.

[AlystairRayne]

I've only stitched shirred fabric to shirred fabric, so this may not be helpful, however, I just used an ordinary straight stitch. My method would probably work as long as you weren't trying to get the non shirred fabric to stretch as well. Then, you might try to stretch the shirred fabric to match the length of the other fabric, but I would think that to be very tedious, and ineffective.

[lov2bead53]

Now this is cute, fun and great instructions. My mom didn't sew so I grew up not knowing how. I love this kind of project. Thanks so much.

[blueprairie]

For a slightly dressier vintage option, please check out my blog for a photo and link to instructions for a 1950's shirred summer dress (with white gloves and purse, if you please...)

http://littlegreybungalow.blogspot.com/2008/06/sewing-pattern-for-1950-summer-dress.html

[lorrwill]

holy guacamole that is cool.

[gingeryaudas]

I made an ankle length dress using this Instructable and it turned out PERFECT!!! Let me add that it was my first time ever experimenting with elastic thread -I used less than favorable double-knit stretch AND bought 2 extra packages of the elastic thread since I knew my first go with it was 'practice'. Well, I've worn this 'practice' dress about 4 times in the last 2 months and I get wonderful compliments on it every single time. Thank you Threadbanger! :)

[Ragdoll202]

I'm having the opposite problem. My elastic thread keeps bunching and curving, rather than the straight threads I see sewn in the pictures.Love this dress, but I'm having troubles sewing it. Any advice?

[KreaKatri]

I'm not sure I understand how wide the fabric is. Are you actually using two pieces that are both long enough to go all the way around you bust?

[hall934]

how much fabric do you get

[The Handmade Project]

Can't wait to try!

[sumrandom1]

this is very nice, i had no idea what to give to my gf for her birthday, and since she is going away for a few months to a tropical warm climate, this is perfect, thank you for the post, very easy step by step and the video is even better

[kskitt]

ok my machiene does not allow me to put elastic thread in the bobbin and then through to the top of the machiene. What are my options?

[hypercube33]

How do you lock your thread? Our sewing machines never had that button of magic!

[Very Keri]

The way to lock your stitch is to sew forward, then stop. Sew in reverse over top of your previous stitch and stop. Sew forward again. You can repeat that, but I only do it once or twice so the stitch still looks neat on the finished piece. If you don't know how to sew in reverse on your machine, just refer to the manual. My machine (it's a very basic Brother ) has a little switch on the front right side that you must hold down in order to sew in reverse, then let it go and it will sew forward again.

[wocket]

I've tried this but the elastic is always to tight. What am i doing wrong?

[threadbanger]

Try lengthening the stitches

[andrea0701]

this is too cute!