can anyone tell me what the elastic stuff is called that you use to gather a top of a dress with, it is a strip of cotton (I think) & then tiny elastic & this is in rows & you sew on the cotton sides & then when your done & at the end of it you pull all the elastics & it will gather the whole thing at once. I was given about 4 meters of this & thought it looked like a bathsuit cover up or a long sundress?

the Elastic you looking for is call-------- Elastic Thread-------mad buy----- Dritz
You hand wind on the bobbin and stitch an right side of fabric I hope this help you . Maria

Thank s to everyone for the information..

the fabric is upside down but I have to say a big thank you to everyone I had no idea that this elastic thread was the new thing I had been doing it the old fashioned way of gathering with zigzag stitches or the tape, now I know why they don't make it like that anymore. I only hope that it is as easy to do as it looks! thanks again cuties I have learned sew much & this is a utube video for adults, Hugs Loralye

2 comments

by dennis999 22 Mar 2013

Have you shrunk in that picture are are you just naturally shy? When you first asked the question, I thought the answer was knicker elastic but having seen the expert answers I realise I know less than I thought I did....lol

by pldc 24 Mar 2013

I took the pic my dh is holding the fabric LOL

Here is a link to Martha Stewarts Smocked Sundress...I have made these from this tutorial and they turn out beautifully...five happy little girls and of their dresses were done in about 2 hours...very cute! One word of caution...be sure you really tie off each row...they will unravel if you don't...I actually tacked off then ran a tight straight stitch vertically from the first row of elastic to the last row just to make sure the elastic was secure. Watch the video...it is amazing what happens when you spray the elastic with water and iron!!! Magic!

1 comment

by pldc 22 Mar 2013

perfect just what I need that I didn't know I needed! :) Hugs Loralye

When shirring, you must Hand-wind the elastic onto the bobbin. Stretch it a little, but not too much. Then thread your machine with regular sewing thread, set the stitch to a longer stitch. Sew along rows about half-inch or so apart. this will make a soft gather for your garment. Sometimes used at the top of the bodice, and sometimes at the waist area of shirt or skirt. It is not a strong gather. good on fine cottons.

1 comment

by pldc 22 Mar 2013

I did not know this thank you I will have to practise, thanks Hugs Loralye

I've used this stuff before and didn't know if they even make it anymore but found a couple links that might be what you are looking for. If all else fails you can sew the fine spool elastic in rows with a tiny zig-zag missing the elastic and leave flat until all rows are done and then pull the elastic to the size you need. If you have an old non electronic sewing machine I remember hand winding the elastic into the bobbin and regular thread on the top but you have to stretch after the first row.

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by pldc 22 Mar 2013

thanks Anita, I will check them out, Hugs Loralye

it's called shirring elastic, usually sold in a wound coil approx 3in high

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by pldc 22 Mar 2013

thank you I have this roll but wanted the tape I guess? :) Thanks Marian Hugs Loralye

Look in your fabric store where the packaged elastic is sold and I think you will see what your are looking for. I think it may be sold as elastic for sportswear. the shirring tape some of the others talked about usually doesn't have stretch since for draperies your would want it stiff. If you can find elastic thread,this workd pretty well: hand wind a bobbin and with regular thread in the top stitch however many rows you need .

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by pldc 22 Mar 2013

thanks I will look into this.Hugs Loralye

amazon.com has shirring tape

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by pldc 22 Mar 2013

thanks Bev I never thought of that, hugs loralye

Smocking or shirring tape. I am not sure where you would find it up north. Good luck friend! If nothing else, you could make your own. ;)

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by pldc 22 Mar 2013

thank you I am on the hunt :)

After reading MissNoah's post, maybe it's one of these at the link.

1 comment

by pldc 21 Mar 2013

thanks I will have a look

Don't know but i went to the curtain section and bought that for a dress i made Wayyyyyyyyy Backkkkkk and it looked awesome??hugs

1 comment

by pldc 21 Mar 2013

thanks I will have to see what I can find out hugs Loralye

Not sure I've seen it ready made. Shirring? Maybe that word helps. I've only made my own with the small round elastic in the bobbin, etc. I would like to know about this item, too!:)

1 comment

by pldc 21 Mar 2013

I thought that is was called shirring to but I am unable to find any, thanks for your help