Burda Style For people who sew

Learn how to shirr jersey like I used on my variation of the Lydia pattern!

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• Get Instructions (PDF, 3.6 MB)

26 Comments

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  Aug 9, 2009, 07.40 PMby annabilly

  Very, very, very much thanks!
  I was long looking for a way how this had to do … (I’m simply a beginner).
  I do think I have to start tomorrow, because I do have the right pattern for it.
  A thousand thanks.
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  Jun 11, 2009, 03.07 PMby dianne207

  Thank you for this tutorial, but let me say that the easier way to make the shirring on jersey is to use elastic threads as lower thread (in the sewing machine) and use zigzag stitches (2,5-3 cm length, 1 cm width).

  1 Reply

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    Aug 20, 2009, 07.19 PMby marina_glory

    i want to try this method of shirring with elastic thread and i found some nice instructions on troubleshooting with elastic thread in case any other users were interested :]

    http://heatherross.squarespace.com/sewing-and-trouble-shooting-wi/

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  Oct 8, 2008, 07.56 AMby Arnesia

  Thank you—Thank you—Thank you ! I wish you taught in my area. You helped me make my twin girls sooo happy. They love their new Sponge Bob shirt.
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  Sep 17, 2008, 09.41 AMby wen4003

  What a great tutorial. I’ve always wanted to try smocking but thought it would be too difficult, but you’ve made it look so easy. I will definitely be using this technique on a garment that I’m in the process of making now. Thank you.
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  Aug 16, 2008, 10.50 PMby blackcandy

  thanks for the tutorials :) now i can find out how to make it.
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  Jul 29, 2008, 11.32 PMby ALiish

  Awesome tutorial. Everything is so easy to follow. Thanks.
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  Jun 5, 2008, 04.19 PMby HelenaDoll

  Hi, is basting stitch just a wide stitch setting on the machine? Thankyou
  H
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  May 18, 2008, 04.39 PMby krysia

  thanks! great tutorial!
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  May 8, 2008, 08.58 PMby funkyteal

  I never knew it was this simple. Thank you so much! I’ll be sure to use it next time I’m working with jersey knits.
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  Apr 26, 2008, 12.27 PMby admin

  Thanks for the demo, and what a GREAT idea to use the shearing as cuffs.
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  Apr 14, 2008, 07.44 PMby Antigone

  Gee whiz, I’ve tried smocking before and after one project I royally gave up on it because I found that it was just too difficult to get the fabric shirred, etc….(imagine a perfectionist who tends to border on monomania handstitching nearly an entire dress front…..) But you just explained it so simply, I think I’ll have to take smocking up again!
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  Mar 24, 2008, 02.54 PMby kikipie

  Just what i was looking for! thank you
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  Mar 19, 2008, 09.30 PMby raspberryswirlgirl

  This is very clear and helpful!
  I’ve always wondered how to do this.
  Thanks bunches! (or shirrs? too pun-y? yes)
  :)
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  Mar 12, 2008, 05.29 PMby admin

  this is quite lovely but you should know that shirring is shirring adn NOT the first step for English smocking. That requires a controlled gathering which is done either by using smocking dots, a smocking pleater or another method that will give a very controlled application. You can embroider on top of this shirring but you won’t necessarily get the same effect as English smocking which has almost a counted cross-stitched affect. Another thing you could try here would be using machine embroidery stitches on top of your shirring which would also give a mock English smocking effect. While I am not a real purist about what you call what, there are people who are.
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  Mar 12, 2008, 10.02 AMby teresaschwarz

  you explained it so clearly! I can’t wait to try it out myself=D
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  Mar 12, 2008, 08.19 AMby hoopz

  Great job i´m going to try it out tks for the steps they help alot .
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  Mar 11, 2008, 01.39 PMby admin

  WoW!!! It is amazing!!! thank you
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  Mar 11, 2008, 01.38 PMby admin

  WoW!!! It is amazing!!! thank you
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  Mar 11, 2008, 01.38 PMby admin

  WoW!!! It is amazing!!! thank you
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  Mar 7, 2008, 05.43 PMby heyitschristina

  WOW, i really didn’t know it would be this easy! thanks so much for sharing. can’t wait to try it out myself :)!
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  Mar 6, 2008, 06.15 PMby admin

  Fantastic!! Thank you for an excellent tutorial!
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  Mar 6, 2008, 11.10 AMby Lfunk12

  I thought it was going to be difficult to do but you make it seem so easy! I’m going to give it a try! Thanks
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  Mar 4, 2008, 06.44 PMby karencilla

  excellent tutorial
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  Mar 3, 2008, 12.30 PMby SewLikeCarolyn

  Thank you so much, great tutorial, I will have to try that out soon!
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  Mar 3, 2008, 12.39 AMby EmilyKate

  This is great, I had hoped you would share, I really love your valentine dress! Thankyou!
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  Mar 2, 2008, 12.30 PMby admin

  Thank you so much for the link it really is great info and thanks for the tutorial it really helps beginners like me to learn new techniques