Burda Style For people who sew

Now you can use this in the back bodice for example, it takes a little patience but it's worth it! Good luck!! / lizah

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17 Comments Sign in to add a post

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  May 16, 2011, 08.14 PMby runningwithscissors1

  Just a note, most other shirring techniques on the web call for loosely winding the elastic thread on the bobbin. I just finished 3 shirred dresses and I did the loose winding and it was just fine. The machine provides enough tension in the bobbin to stretch the thread on its own. As it is, I had to loosen my bobbin tension a smidgen to make it work properly. If you are looking for a good tutorial, do a search on Burda for the Martha Stewart smocked dress and there is a good video for how to do a smocked shirt/dress. I found it extremely helpful.
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  Nov 20, 2010, 04.02 PMby snezhka

  Thank you! After this tutorial I finally found out how to do it) Im going to try it very soon.
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  Aug 4, 2010, 10.31 AMby geordiehandbag

  In the smocking pattern I have you don’t need to wind the elastic onto the bobbin tightly – just normal tension. This works just as well although you need to pull the material taut as you are sewing. I sewed a front and back dress piece together and then smocked around the top for about 6 inches – going round and round in a spiral. Nice easy summer dress with no zips or buttons!
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  Jul 21, 2010, 06.39 PMby aleah

  I tried to do this using a veeerryy thin elastic thread, the kind of thickness one might use when fishing… it didn’t work very well, so my advise: use the kind of thread shown on these pictures, mine didn’t. :)
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  Jul 20, 2010, 06.45 PMby littleredfox

  this is FABULOUS! thank you so much for sharing and explaining. i’ve been wondering and wondering how on earth its done—i presumed you needed a giant “smocking machine” or something :) i’m going to give it a go! xoxo
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  Jul 20, 2010, 07.50 AMby mor2010

  That´s it – I´m going to get some elastic thread as soon as my son awakes – thanx! :D
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  Jul 7, 2010, 10.50 AMby Lollipops Rainbows

  Thankyou so so much, I’ve been wondering for a long time how to smock.
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  Jul 6, 2010, 12.18 AMby domestic-divaonline

  Wow! It’s that simple? I’ve had elastic thread for a long time but didn’t know the trick of stretching it when winding it on the bobbin. I’m going to do a test right now. Thank you!
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  Jun 22, 2010, 12.47 AMby marninthebarn

  This rocks!
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  Jun 20, 2010, 08.30 AMby ehx

  thank-you for this project. i have a beautiful smocked dress and i have been wanting to know how to smock for a while.
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  Jun 17, 2010, 03.43 AMby supercalla

  OH MY GAWSH

  I have wondered and thought and wondered how this works. You have shared that you stretch the elastic thread before, and I thank you.

  :D!!!!!
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  Jun 3, 2010, 07.54 AMby juanitatortilla

  How wonderful. The instructions are perfectly clear! I am new to sewing, but can’t wait to give smocking a go. Thank you Lizah.
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  May 24, 2010, 04.17 AMby 5294sandras

  Thank you for sharing – I will try this on my next project.
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  May 13, 2010, 08.58 PMby tamezdc

  Thanks for the tutorial. I’ll be trying this technique on a dress for my little sister.
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  May 12, 2010, 04.07 AMby genine

  Very good tutorial. Thankyou…I will definately be giving this a go. I just happen to be looking for this information
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  May 4, 2010, 10.53 PMby marinaglory

  Great tutorial! Thank you Lizah!
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  May 4, 2010, 07.20 PMby stellula

  Thank you so much for sharing this! I’ll be giving it a try soon.