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From: embroideryqueen
Date: 03-05-2007, 12:16 PM (1 of 9)
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I have been playing all day with shirring with my designer 1 and I can't get it to work right....I have my stitch length set at 6 and wound the bobbin tightly and when I stitch it gathers but does not have any stretching room....the thread wants to break. Any suggestions on what I am not doing? I called my local dealers and they have no clue tia |
User: embroideryqueen
Member since: 03-05-2007 Total posts: 1 |
From: Tom Land
Date: 03-05-2007, 02:54 PM (2 of 9)
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Are you using the shirring foot? What I do is leave the bobbin alone, set the stitch length at the longest length (6 on Viking), and tighten the needle tension up to 7 - 9 depending on the fabric.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: weezyrider
Date: 03-06-2007, 09:31 AM (3 of 9)
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Shirring doesn't stretch. It stays gathered like a ruffle. If you are trying to get a smocked effect, you need to use elastic thread - either in the bobbin (if the designer does) or a small zigzag over it. You need 1 1/2 - 2 times the fabric to get the shirring to the right length. Weezy 
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User: weezyrider
Member since: 08-19-2003 Total posts: 218 
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From: Tom Land
Date: 03-06-2007, 09:54 AM (4 of 9)
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I was a little confused about the "stretch" question so just told how I set up for shirring. If smocking is what you're after I do like Weezy says and put elastic thread in the bobbin... stretching it as you wind it. Then I use the Honeycomb stitch or other similar looking stitch.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: violet_blues
Date: 03-24-2007, 11:05 PM (5 of 9)
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I was told to not wind the elastic thread on the bobbin tightly. I hand wind mine with just a little bit of tension and it has always worked for me. Hope that helps... 
Tammy
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User: violet_blues
Member since: 11-17-2006 Total posts: 27 |
From: Tom Land
Date: 03-24-2007, 11:39 PM (6 of 9)
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Right Tammy. If you wind it too tight it can distort and ruin the bobbin. I should have been more specific. Just a gentle stretch as you wind should be sufficient.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: renessewniques
Date: 03-26-2007, 12:58 PM (7 of 9)
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I wind mine up on the bobbin my putting the roll of elastic thread on my pencil then slightly pulling it as it winds up Rene |
User: renessewniques
Member since: 11-20-2006 Total posts: 4 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 04-05-2007, 09:13 PM (8 of 9)
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So, if you want to shir a top, and the pattern doesn't call for shirring (or smocking) do you do that first, then cut out the pattern, or do you cut the pattern out wider then shir(smock)?
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: weezyrider
Date: 04-06-2007, 07:54 AM (9 of 9)
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Shir or smock first. It never comes out even. It's like ruffles - allow 2-3 times width. Except unlike 2 gathering threads, shirring isn't adjustable. Smocked fabric with elastic will have some give. (Like those sundresses.) Inserted or bishop smocking usually has piping or bias binding somewhere, or sewn in. Weezy 
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User: weezyrider
Member since: 08-19-2003 Total posts: 218
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