How To Make a Shirred Fabric Summer Dress

Hi, I am new to sewing. I viewed your summer dress video. Why do we need to use 2 pieces of fabric and sew them together? Thanks

I made this dress for myself from some fabric I got while I was living in China. I love it and got so many complements. Then I used some of the left over fabric from my prom dress I had made to make some little dresses for my nieces. Their dad and grammy LOVED them. Now I am thinking I might try the same design when I do get married instead of spending easily 0 on flower girl dresses. It is so easy and takes no time at all! Thanks so much for the idea.

I finally made the dress!

I did my bust width (36")as the width of my pattern but my dress came out huge even with the elastic shirring...any clue as to why? Did anyone else experience the same thing?

where can i buy a giant roll of elastic thread cording like that? my local fabric stores don't have it. they have regular flat elastic band and tiny thin thread that comes in 3 yrd packs....

Great - I've been looking for how to make a shirred dress for ages.  So simple.
Fabulous site3

I made a mini version of this dress for my daughter and for a first attempt you would have thought I was an expert on shirring!!  Absolutely gorgeous and so easy to follow ur instructions.  Thanks guys :)

So ehm, I'm thinking about buying a sewing machine, and this might be a stupid question, but can you do the shirred thing with any kind of sewing machine? Plz help me out ?

i did this and i really loved how it turned out.  I would like to know where did you find that large spool of elastic thread.  I have many more dresses to do like this and I would love to have a spool that big

hi!... just one question... the problem is that i just did everything as shown in the video...and everything was working find, until i realized that the fabric wasnt shirring at all... i have to stretch the elastic so than the fabric can get shirred... what can i be doing wrong... 
the tension is on 4...length is the max 5...

hi there - just a quick question!
i've hand wound the elastic onto the bobbin loosely but i can't get it to take. when i look closely you can see its caught but it just wont pull up for some reason. 
i've spent ages searching online for advice but it seems that everything i'm doing is right? could the shirring elastic be too thick? i'm totally confused! 
thank you in advance x

Wow, that was a very down to earth lesson on the basics of how to make this great dress!  Nice job!  I'm gonna try one and let you know how it goes!

Hi, I just watched the video, and thought "Maybe I could do that." Then I read the comments, and I thought "Craaaap!" Do you have a video about beginner sewing machine basics? I'm never sure what to do with the tension, or the other knob on my machine, and it seems like some other people commenting might benefit from this kind of video too! 
P.S....I love this website!

when i tried to make this dress, the material scrunched up but i could still see the elastic( it looked like little dots). what am i doing wrong.

for lock, just go forward and backward a few times to keep the thread from coming loose (you don't have to have a special button, just the reverse and every sewing maching has that)

Umm....I went to my local Jo ANN's and looked for some elastic thread..... there wasn't any. I tried elastic cord, but it was too thick. where would i get this so-called elastic thread?

um, what if u dont have a lock on ur sewing machine? uh oh... cue scary music! i dont want a new sewing machine!

Wohoo! I made this dress in one day out of an old sheet that was dyed pink. Not bad considering it's the first dress I have ever made! I did a test run on the shirring but have to say that was the easiest part. The test run fabric I used was heavier and I noticed the weight of the fabric will affect the shirring if the tension of your thread isn't right. But I figured it and the dress looks cool. Am gonna screen print a black design on the lower bottom left side...Thanks Threadbangers, you rock!

I would love to see a cute skirt out of t shirt, with like a "rag" bottom, or a fringe of some sort any ideas? Maybe you could do a tutorial about that?

where did you get that huge spool of elastic thread, that you used to shirr your dress, from? thanks for info

I really love this dress, but the shirring is a problem.. I just can't seem to get it right. I tested it on 2 types of fabric (a jersey-kind of fabric and a lighter fabric, for a blouse), but both turned out to be too small. I used a very wide piece of fabric, so that shouldn't be the problem. It somehow looks like my machine is pulling too hard on the elastic thread. Does anybody have an idea how to solve this? I mean, they sell these dresses everywhere in a jersey-kind of fabric, so I don't understand why I can't get this working?

This looks really cool.. So i was serching on the internet for some cool DIY stuff and I came arcoss a scarf looking thing they call a necklush or something. I was wondering if you could do a tutorial on it.. looks cool and has a variety of uses :) thanks here how it looksl like http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6442216

i just went through my linen closet and found a nice sheet that doesnt fit my bed and i am wounder if i could use that fabric for this type of dress?

this is very informative! last summer, Hobby Lobby had a pre-shirred red white and blue paisley print that i bought. but i was dissappointed because the amount of shirring can be changed throughout the shirt depending on the amount of tension you apply. this might take a long time, but it's definitely worth it. NOTHING you can buy in a store will fit you quite like the clothes you make yourself.

i made this and it turned out really cute! except i didnt have an iron so i did a zig zag stitch up both seem and that worked instead. I cant wait to wear it at the beach!! thanks!

okay.. i am really confused. my but is bigger than my bust. and if i add say 2 inches to my bust to make sure i dont make it too small, it is still bigger. so what should i do to make it fit well?? please help!!

I went to the goodwill store any bought a shirt too big for me and then i made this summer dress out of it. SO CUTE! thanks for making this vid. i love those dresses but they get expensive sometimes.

PS my illustration may now be completely useless. It looked good when I was making it in the comment box. *sigh*

I know this is going to sound stupid, but I'm confused about how I place the pattern with the grain. Do I do it like this:
   fabric          bust
++++++  -------
++++++ |               |
++++++ |               | length
++++++ |               |
++++++ |               |
++++++  -------

or this:
  fabric             length
++++++  ----------  
++++++ |                       |
++++++ |                       | bust
++++++ |                       |
++++++  ----------

Thanks for your help!

AWESOME! its so cute

I dont get why the bias cut is soo important? why do u need the bias cut for making something? Thanks guys!

I need to try this. I'm not good at sewing, but I'll do my best. I really new some new dresses for school, or whatever. This will be awesome to do. Soemthing to keep me busy during the winter break!

This is amazing.  I'm seriously gonna try it soon!

(Today I bought elastic in a package from the DOLLAR STORE!  Now they are starting to carry sewing supplies like seam guages and pins!  Total bargain!)

Please is anyone able to help me with this one..

I've just done a test dress and it's not gathered up nearly enough and is way too big.. 

Should front and back pieces be 36" (or bust size) or the total of the two pieces? 

I did wind the elastic on the bobin as tight as I could; it did loosen a bit when I put the bobin in the machine but can't help that happening..

If anyone could advise me here I'd be really grateful.. Am desperate to make this dress from some material I have..

thanks!

Please can someone help me on this one.. 

Should the two pieces each be 36" or is the total measurement 36".
I've just done a test run and my dress hasn't gathered up nearly enough...

I've wound the elastic as tight as I can round the bobin as I know that when it goes in the machine it loosens off a bit.

Does anyone know what I'm doing wrong? I'm desperate to make this dress even though it's cold and wet here in London!!

Thanks loads...

That was awsome, i didn't know that you can place elastick in the bobbin holder. and by the way i love your website so for. I think no no i know ya have a hit on ya hands. sorry about the spelling. 

Thanks.  I bought some fabric in Hawaii and cut out it out and realized I needed shirred fabric.  Oops my bad but this helped me so I can shir my fabric and still make my summer dress.  Thanks!!!

oh wow!! that's amazing!

this is really cute but instead of a dress im gonna make a skirt!

Ok. we are having trouble trying to figure out how to do shirring. My friend has a brother sewing machine and it will not catch the elastic thread. what are we doing wrong we did everything you said. 

this inspired me! i'm gonna make a dress now! yeah threadbanger! this is the best thing on the net! yay!

Hey!
I love the dress... but I was wondering how you made the green shirt that Corinne was wearing at the beginning of the show??

Love you guys!!!
-Manduh

From a 50+ year old, its so great to see you growing on this site.  I've been a little concerned recently b/c all the fabric stores around here between Baltimore and Philly are closing and NOW hear that the local Walmarts are closing their crafts departments unless the locals write to them in support of keeping them open.  Keep an eye on your local Walmarts and ask at the fabric cutting station if their crafts departments will be closing.  KEEP THEM OPEN!!!  You can only buy so much at Goodwill.  You need supplies!

Thats fantastic!
I´d really like to learn more about the diffrent fabrics out there,and I want You to teach me. Give us the always entertaining teachings of Rob and Corrine! 

I never would have thought you could put elastic in the bobin! A whole world of possibilities has just been opened to me! I like to take T-Shirts and sew a ribbon up the side with a draw string inside so you can pull it, tie it and scrunch up the sides. I can't wait to try something with this elastic bobin idea instead. Yay!

As it is every week: THIS IS THE BEST EPISODE EVERRRRR!!!!!

You guys rock. 

Great episode, I really have been wondering how to make one of those!.. And thanks a bunch for featuring my stuff, truly an honor :)

(Just for the record, I'm a girl, not a guy :) but you can even call me a goat, I don't care, I love you guys anyway!)

If you need the shirring to be tighter or want a fuller skirt, (uses more fabric, gives fuller gathering- but result might be slightly less stretchy), you can stretch the  elastic thread  a little bit as you wind it on the bobbin. Try to maintain a consistent stretch as you wind, though.

Maybe this is something that I can make for my sister that she will actually wear!  

Thanks threadbanger!

This is so perfect for my huge baby belly!!!!!  I'm going to make a million of them!!!!
Thanks for another awesome episode guys!!!
xoxo
Brenda

omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg!!!!
i was on the show!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cool dress.Takes me back to 1971 when I first discovered elastic thread, ran home, and and designed and sewed two identical shirred dresses in red gingham (the cheapest but nicest yard goods on  the sale table that day). The dresses were ankle length (Hippie era). I kept one to  wear and sold the other one at a store called "By Hand" which sold handmade garments and stuff on consignment. (Again - hippie era!) It was located on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley,CA. ( There is now a "descendant" By Hand on Solano Ave, also in Berkeley - they sell lines by small, often local designers!) I was thrilled to sell a dress  because my then job was low-paid and I was married to an equally impecunious grad student Those were the days! You just made me all nostalgic! Thanks. 

great episode! I love rob's attempt at a British accent! 

Since, though i'm sad to say, September is looming forwards, can you show how to make a DIY jacket of some sort?

Love it, as always

hey i loved the dress!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
as soon as i have bought some elastic im making it.keep it up!!

Awesome~! How people have explained shirring in the past has for some reason been very confusing to me. (Doesn't help most of the time they have poor drawings the show 'how', haha). Either way, another great episode! I hope to test this one out soon and post pictures. 

Thank you soo much! I've been wanting to learn how to make thoes really neat dresses. I'm going out to walmart now to get some elasic =]. 
you guys dont even know how happy you make me with all these ideas. =D

I LOVE the Aberzombie shirt.  Thats my next project for sure!

great show!

Awesome tutorial! I've always been afraid of using elastic thread. Your dress makes me wanna try! I think I'll lengthen it and make a maxi dress. Yaaay!

Hey THREADBANGER!
I loved this one!  I have a few shirt like this :)

In a few weeks I'll be entering... college...da da daaaaaa....  and I need help on how to decorate my room and if you could help me come up with a way to keep my brand new laptop (w00t) safe?
thanks!
~artcrazed

awesome tut Corrine! thanks!

i had a question though, can this be done on any type of fabric? like satin? or tulle?

Also, its been bugging me the last couple of episodes.  1) What is inside Corinne's ring (left-pulling/steading-fabric-hand) and 2) where did she aquire said ring.

ABSOLUTELY AWESOME DRESSS! *-* I totally love you 

When I threw a baby shower last weekend my super-sewer adopted Nanna had made these dresses summer dresses with pockets for her granddaughters because one of them has an insulin pump and it isn't easy to wear one of those in dresses.  When my sister went to sorority dress up functions I would create contraptions out of pantie hoes to hold her insulin pump in the back. 

I'm super excited to find some elastic thread. 

I'm also pretty excited about the Breaking Dawn coture tonight at its release party at my local Barnes and Noble.  Lots of great handmade shirts. 

That is awsome! I always wanted to know how to do that!

I really love that janome machine and i love that dress it is so simple and cute and girl you looked so cute all u needed was so flip flops and sunglasses and u could head off for the beach and i am a little late but i saw the video about project runway i am so sorry but you know what i think they were scared if you joined because you are to good and if you ever have your own store no when you do have have your own store which i believe you i am going to be the first shopper lol i love your website i swear when i was younger people would make fun off me and call me grandma because i would like to make my own things but you can't blame me i had a creative mind and this website rocks man every time i watch a video it makes me feel happy because we have so much people that love to do what i do and that is not weird that is totally awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
o what kind of machine do you have like other then the name janome like if it has a # can you reply to me and give me and how much you got it because i am going to get one hopefully cross my fingers 
love ya 
peace+love =happiness 
u guys r probably like dam when is she going to shut the f up lol 

I reaaaaaaally want to try this!!!
i have a question about measurement that wasn't to clear for me: each of the squares was your bust measurement? so, in total, the dress was 2 times your bust... right?
(sorry, i speak spanish :))

holy cows!  i've always wanted to know how to make these...  and its is so simple!  thank you!

aaw that looks like a great episode...looks because i cant hear anything on my computer:( well at least i managed to understand how you shirr fabric:D

:o Ooooooh, so THAT'S how you wear that fabric! My room mate has had my convinced it's just skirt fabric (they sell pre-shirred fabric at Walmart, lame!)

I sooo want to make myself one now >3< DIY or DIE!

Oh, man! I need to get me a sewing machine and fast! So many cool projects I'm missing out... :(

omg i really like that idea and omg i really want that sewing machine 

corinne: cute necklace and awesome dress. i should definitely give that a go.

yay. i'm excited. good job on the episode, as always. :)

Just wanted to comment on how much the show has grown since you two started it! I've been following almost from the beginning, but for awhile it was purely for the entertainment value-- I've been sewing since I was a kid, and as a post-college 20-something who has to dress at least quasi-professional most of the time (I work in the arts, so at least I get to avoid the business suits!), a lot of what was made just wouldn't work for me. But the show has improved so much since then, both in projects that would be fun for more advanced sewers as well as beginner, and quality in how it's put together! And great timing...I'm seriously considering some shirring for an upcoming project, and now I know an easy way to do it! Keep up the great work!

Corinne you're so hot!

Okay, this is probably the cutest thing you have ever made!  I love it, I love it, I love it!

love the episode! love the shirred dress and will def. need to make one for my sis!!!

thankyou thankyou thankyou!!! i was so lonely because a dress i loved just run out of the store and it was shirred and super cute! and now i know how to make a cuter one!! thanks so much corinne! and thanks god i didnt get to buy that dress. LOTS OF LOVE from imgonnaeatthatfishgirl (thats me in the forums) :)(why did i used 2 different nicknames?)oh and  by the way, thanks for explaining what a bias was, i was wondering about it 2 days ago.

Wow, how did you get a dude from the olden days to come and do voice over. Good one.

i love this episode, such a cute dress!! and i wish so much mood was in CA.

i was so happy to see the picture of me in my scarf sleeve shirt, thanks guys!!!! keep up the great work

Awesome sode, I've been wondering how to make one of those lately! I also really like the flannel hoodie from the forums.
As always, you guys are awesome!!! Keep it up!