I made the dress! Actually, I'm finishing up my second one; I only have to add the straps. I can see many more of these dresses in my future. This will probably be pretty much all you'll see me in this Summer. It couldn't be more perfect. It might even make me hate these horrendous South Texas Summers just a little bit less. It's that good.
I did have a bit of a problem with the shirring/smocking, though. The instructions were easy enough. I even got some additional help from the video and this great tutorial, but for some reason, the elastic thread just didn't want to shrink up for me.
This was the best I could get after Heather Ross' recommended steaming plus a good soaking in hot water and a high heat dry. I'm pretty sure I did everything right. I didn't wind my bobbin too tight, used a longer stitch length, tension seemed fine, I even tried two different kinds of elastic thread, but all I ended up with was a little texture at the top and not much real stretch at all. Here is the underside. Any clues where I went wrong?
Shockingly, it worked out fine for this pattern because I also had a little trouble with my local print shop and they only managed to print the pattern somewhere around the size it should actually print at. Yeah. It was a total fluke that the whole dress wasn't a complete disaster--which is what usually happens to me. But happily, this time, it ended up fitting me perfectly with the little bit of stretch I managed to get from my elastic thread. My problem now is that I'd like to make a few more dresses for friends--they are that easy!--one who is considerably smaller than I am so I really need to make this shirring/smocking thing work somehow. Plus, just learning this simple sewing technique has opened up a whole new world to me for clothes making. So many ideas--if only I could get it to work--Agh! I did happen upon a commenter who mentioned having tried the dress on her new Brother sewing machine--which is what I have--and it completely failed. Then she tried it again on her old Singer and it worked beautifully. This does not bode well for me. Any ideas on making this work??
Oh, that's beautiful! I wish I could sew!
Posted by: Mrs.B. | June 30, 2009 at 07:00 AM
Borrow the Singer?
It turned out so pretty! (and cool!) I need another summer dress...so bad!
Posted by: sara | June 30, 2009 at 07:30 AM
I really thought shirring and smocking meant two different things? I'll be no help to you... I actually want to try this, so if I get it to work, I'll let you know! I knew someone who had a smocking machine... a totally separate machine from her sewing machine... and that always worked :)
Posted by: Courtney | June 30, 2009 at 08:41 AM
Okay, I just looked it up... you are shirring... and it looks like your stitches aren't long enough. You want them as long as you can go. And did you use a gathering foot? That will work.
I need to go buy some elastic thread! :) Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Courtney | June 30, 2009 at 08:47 AM
You don't know me because I just lurk here and have only commented a time or two ;) but I just nominated you for a blog award.
http://burdart.blogspot.com/2009/06/premio-meme-my-first-blog-award.html
Posted by: francie | June 30, 2009 at 04:22 PM
its tough to say for sure, but my guess is that you are inserting your bobbin incorrectly or you are not running the bobbin thread through the proper channels. On many newer machines it won't make a difference at all... until you start trying to use elastic thread! Even if you have been sewing with this machine for a while, revisit your manual.
Posted by: Heather Ross | June 30, 2009 at 09:58 PM
Cute dress - wish I could offer some advice on the whole shirring/smocking debacle but I have never given it a go and after reading your post am feeling, um, apprehensive about attempting any!
Posted by: Beth | July 02, 2009 at 11:54 PM
Sometimes it's the mistakes that come out the best! Sorry I can't help with any advice. Several years ago when I tried, I believe that I had some of the same problems.
But your dress is cute!
Posted by: Cheryl | July 05, 2009 at 01:38 PM
Hi, I saw your layout in Artful Blogger and thought I'd read your blog. I didn't think I would be writing so soon but I have an idea about your dress. I did watch the video and read the tutorial. Any machine will work but I did see that the MS sewer did not cut the elastic after each row and I don't think you would pull it taught with each row after the first. Let it stay gathered. To prevent the top hem from rolling over add to the length and fold over three inches and start at the same place capturing the whole hem. My grandmother would pin the elastic at the beginning and zigzag over the top of the elastic creating a thread casing of sorts. Then she would pin at the end of each row. She would then pull the elastic to gather it enough. Sew down each side and then join the right sides together. If you want more security at the bust (for women) use 1/4 inch elastic. A couple rows at the top and a couple rows at the bottom, treating it the same way. Color bands or color blocks can be fun, also the fabric stamping spray dying could be fun. Since these dresses are basically tubes a shirborri tye dye effect would be cool. OK, I've got lots of ideas I'll try too. Good luck sewing!, I love your creativity and art.
Posted by: Betsy | July 06, 2009 at 07:30 PM
I am loving your dresses! Like you, this summer heat is killing me, and the dresses are the best....plus it makes me feel so much prettier than those ucky shorts!
Posted by: Brenda Wampler | July 19, 2009 at 01:09 PM