Member Project of the Week
Check out Jessica Abbot's version of our High Waist Trousers in summer-ready lightweight denim.
DIY to Try
Make a new pair of chic shorts for summer!
Editors' Pick
This collection is filled with beautiful gowns that are so elegant!
Webinars
In addition to getting the pattern, learn step-by-step how to construct it beautifully
Pattern of the Week
This cute sheath dress has a sweetheart neckline and a bustier style top!
Apr 8, 2010, 03.47 PMby Gabriele Yorlano
Love this technique!
Nov 7, 2008, 03.27 PMby iheartsewing
what is that fabric you used….its gorgeous
May 11, 2008, 06.22 PMby reneebeth
I’m also wondering the same thing efran was…
Apr 19, 2008, 08.45 PMby camilaustral
i was going to ask about putting the elastic thread in the lower bobbin (my mom sugested it) and mirela solved my problem
thank you sooo much!!! i love shirred clothes ;)
Mar 5, 2008, 02.58 PMby efran
I’m wondering if I did this with a non-stretch woven cotton, would the smocking w/ the elastic thread give my garment stretchiness in that area? Make sense?
Dec 8, 2007, 06.41 PMby julimonster
brilliant I love this! now I wont have to mess with my lower tension. thanks so much
Jun 18, 2007, 02.20 PMby nayantara
Thank you for this How To! What a marvelous tip!
Jun 16, 2007, 02.51 PMby marmota-b
Thanks for this, it looks very useful! And I surprisingly probably even have that thread…
Jun 15, 2007, 08.43 AMby mirela
Great tip!
Also, if you are afraid not to pierce through the elastic thread while sewing over it, you can hand wheel it on the lower bobbin, not too tight! and adjust the lower thread tension to be looser. Then simply sew like with a regular thread. Depending on how tight you hand wheeled the thread, the fabric will gather itself as you sew. This way there are some disadvantages also, changing the thread tension on the lower bobbin and wheeling it too tight…
Usually I test sew both these methods before doing the gathers.
P.S. the top is amazing!