Hi everyone
I've been sewing shirring elastic to the hem of jersey, but it just isnt working, I'm getting no pull in the cloth at all, even with a fair bit of tension on the bobbin. The elastic is wound onto the bobbin, and I was straight sttching 2mm in from the edge, but am simply getting no tension in the cloth at all. Top thread is standard sewing thread, and just to see if it made any difference I did up the tension a good bit on top too, but no.
What am I doing wrong?
NT
If that's not working, there's another way to do it. You use a twin needle on top. Feed the elastic thread ( NOT) on the bobbin up through the little hole in the throat plate and pull the beginning back behind the presser foot. Use just an ordinary thread-filled bobbin. You can just have the spool of elastic in your lap or toss it to the floor until done.The elastic will feed nicely. Note: do not try this if there is a kitty wanting to participate. Polly
Typically needs several rows of elastic thread and a good steaming before you start to see shirring. Did you handwind the bobbin? That's the only way I've gotten the elastic thread on the bobbin trick to work -- it's not a method I much care for.
I have great respect for your skill and talent, Kay. Not so much for clear elastic. It doesn't have a good survival rate. ( Not that any elastic lasts forever.) I thought it was a lovely asset to the wrists of sweet baby gowns but it didn't make it through "Daddy helps with the laundry". Polly
It does survive well when protected between layers and not subject to hot ironing... which is why I was asking why the elastic thread 2mm from a cut edge -- that sounds like an edge that's going to be sewn to something else soon. But if what you're doing is trying to pull up a hem evenly to make a balloon hem that's going to be stitched to a lining or band, then I find it works well -- feeds through elasticating feet or the slot that's on many all purpose sewing machine or serger feet, easy to tension, thin enough not to get in the way.
I also use it for stabilizing necklines and shoulder seams in knits.
Something in my mindset makes me think I stitch need to last at least 20 years. Don't know why. No way "I'm" going to last that long. =) Polly .
It sounds like you're only sewing one row of stitches. Is that right? You won't get a lot of gathering with only one row of stitching. Try 3 rows
1/4" apart from each other. So do your first row of stitching, then pivot 90 degrees. ** Take one or two stitches. Stop, pivot 90 degrees more so you are now parallel to the first row of stitching and about 1/4" away from it. Hold the fabric taut and sew till you are at the beginning stitch of the first row of stitching; keep the fabric taut and maintain that 1/4" of space. Stop. Pivot 90 degrees; take 2 stitches; stop; pivot 90 degrees again. Now you should be parallel to the second row of stitching. Sew till you come to the end of the first row of stitching/beginning of second row of stitching and backtack to finish off.When you start the second row of stitches, you should see the elastic gathering a little. That's why you hold the fabric TAUT. You will see even more when you start the third row. Once you are done with all the stitching, STEAM it a lot with your iron. The steam will make the elastic draw up even more. You just don't see much result at all with only one row of stitching with this method. I think that's what has you worried.
Sharon
Thanks everyone. The hem in question is on a finished garment, and is not performing as required. So the elastic is going onto the interior surface. After achieving nothing at all with shirring elastic I tried
5mm elastic, its far too intrusive, so its back to the shirring next, I'll just try a few lines of it.thanks, NT
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