Friday 5 January 2007

Shirred dresses




I decided to have a go at shirring, and I'm glad I did. It's liberating to make something without any kind of pattern! I first made Elizabeth's dress. I'm not that in love with the fabric, but it was inexpensive and I thought the checks would give me a line to guide me. There also wasn't much on offer at my local fabric store the day I decided I wanted to try it. It was a good learning experience - I now know to hem the top of the dress before you sew the shirring!


Next up was Louisa's strawberry dress. Another cheap fabric, and it has small green dots which served as my lines to follow. I have a very basic sewing machine, without any fancy stitches, but it does have a shell tuck stitch so I experimented with that on the bottom hem. Although I was a bit wonky in one section, I'm reasonably happy with the end result.

8 comments:

Andrea said...

The dresses look fantastic Suz, well done. I know what you mean about not using a pattern, it does feel good!

tigerfilly said...

awww they're gorgeous :) the shirring bug has bitten again LOL!

Cass said...

Love both of these. Shirring is great once you have mastered it.

Helen said...

These look lovely Suz! Well done on the shirring, its such a fantastically easy method but looks a million dollars I think!

Anonymous said...

Those dresses are just beautiful! I have to try shirring soon.

Mel said...

They look great!! I love shirring too!!

Emma said...

Suz, I love these. Shirring is on my "to learn" list. Especially love the strawberry one!!

Unknown said...

These both look fabulous! The first time I shirred I did the same thing and didn't hem the top first, lol. I won't make that mistake again. When it comes to guiding for straight rows I always use the edge of my sewing machine foot as my guide. Hope that helps you next time if you use a floral or pattern without a line to follow.