People also ask

Can you sew with elastic thread on a sewing machine?

Yes, you can use elastic thread in a sewing machine, but it's typically used only in the bobbin for techniques like shirring, with regular thread used in the top needle. You need to manually hand-wind the bobbin slowly and gently to avoid stretching the elastic, and you'll need to make adjustments to your stitch length and tension for the best results.

How to use elastic thread

This video demonstrates how to wind an elastic thread bobbin and sew with elastic thread:

Wind the bobbin by hand:
Wind the elastic thread onto the bobbin slowly and gently without stretching it to prevent it from becoming brittle or breaking. Do not overfill the bobbin.
Use regular thread in the needle:
Use a standard sewing thread in the top needle. The amount of stretch you get will be limited by the strength of the top thread.
Adjust stitch length:
Set your machine to a longer stitch length, around
$3.5$
mm to
$5$
mm, for better results.
Adjust tension:
You may need to experiment with the tension settings. Start with a lower setting, as it can help with the gathering effect.
Sew in parallel rows:
Use the edge of your presser foot as a guide to sew parallel rows of stitches. Leave long thread tails at the beginning and end of each row.
Tie off the threads:
After sewing all the rows, pull the thread tails to the wrong side of the fabric and knot them together to secure the gathers and prevent them from unraveling.
Steam for shrinkage:
Steaming the fabric after sewing will cause the elastic thread to shrink, which further gathers the fabric.
Test your stitches:
Always sew a test swatch first to make sure the fabric is gathering as you want it to and that the tension is correct before sewing your project.

Shirring:
Creating a gathered, elasticized look, often used for waistbands on skirts or for bodices on dresses.
Ruffles:
Gathering fabric strips for ruffles.
Fitted looks:
Creating a more fitted look in garments by sewing rows of elastic in a specific area.
Detailed fabric:
Using rows of elastic thread on a piece of fabric to create detail or to strengthen sheers before cutting out garment pieces.

Can you use elastic thread in a mechanical sewing machine?
Mar 19, 2022
Reddit ·
r/vintagesewing

How to Sew Shirring: A Step-by-Step Guide to Elastic Thread Gathering
Mar 27, 2024 — take a look at this dress. notice the sharing. here see how the fabric gathers neatly in rows wonder if you can achiev...
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How to Sew with Shirring Elastic
May 1, 2021 — i'm going to show you three different techniques in this video the first one I'll show you how you can work in lines ba...
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May 19, 2021 — I'm using the edge of the presser foot as a guide to keep my lines of shirring straight so I've positioned the right e...
HOUSE OF MISS SEW

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Aug 25, 2025 — product i sell it in white and I sell it in black now the jacket that I have on I have elastic thread in but I'm going...
YouTube ·
Judy Kessinger (The Fit Doctor)

How to Sew Shirring | Janome X Tilly and the Buttons
Apr 5, 2023 — basically you don't want anything too thick or too stiff or the elastic could struggle to gather it up sufficiently. no...
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Elastic thread is used in the bobbin in combination with regular thread in the top stitch because the elastic thread is too thick ...
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May 24, 2023 — here's how to sew elastic. sharing. you will need elastic thread i'm using metler elastic thread i've used this many t...
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Oct 5, 2023 — we're using the stretch thread both top and bottom so I'm winding some onto a bobin. here when I wind it on the bobbin.
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Here you will find a quick tutorial on how to use elastic thread in the bobbin of your sewing machine to ruffle fabric and give it...
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Can you use elastic thread in a mechanical sewing machine?

Mar 19, 2022

Reddit ·

r/vintagesewing

How to Sew Shirring: A Step-by-Step Guide to Elastic Thread Gathering

Mar 27, 2024 — take a look at this dress. notice the sharing. here see how the fabric gathers neatly in rows wonder if you can achiev...

YouTube ·

Sewing Tutorials By Ageberry

How to Sew with Shirring Elastic

May 1, 2021 — i'm going to show you three different techniques in this video the first one I'll show you how you can work in lines ba...

YouTube ·

House of Miss Sew

Sewing with Shirring Elastic on a Sewing Machine

May 19, 2021 — I'm using the edge of the presser foot as a guide to keep my lines of shirring straight so I've positioned the right e...

HOUSE OF MISS SEW

How To Use Elastic Thread

Aug 25, 2025 — product i sell it in white and I sell it in black now the jacket that I have on I have elastic thread in but I'm going...

YouTube ·

Judy Kessinger (The Fit Doctor)

How to Sew Shirring | Janome X Tilly and the Buttons

Apr 5, 2023 — basically you don't want anything too thick or too stiff or the elastic could struggle to gather it up sufficiently. no...

YouTube ·

Tilly and the Buttons

Shirring with Elastic Thread - a How To Sew Tutorial - Melly Sews

Apr 19, 2022 — Make an Easy Shirred Waist Skirt ... A note on fabric – you don't want to use anything too heavy for this – the elasti...

Melly Sews

How to Use Elastic Thread | OFS Maker's Mill

Elastic thread is used in the bobbin in combination with regular thread in the top stitch because the elastic thread is too thick ...

Criminal Justice Inspectorates

How to sew elastic shirring (sewing technique)

May 24, 2023 — here's how to sew elastic. sharing. you will need elastic thread i'm using metler elastic thread i've used this many t...

YouTube ·

Julija Gobere (SewingJulie)

Master Shirring Techniques for Beautiful Sewing Projects | TikTok

Mar 3, 2025

TikTok ·

Candice

Introducing Mettler Seraflex Stretch Thread at Discovery Fabrics Store

Oct 5, 2023 — we're using the stretch thread both top and bottom so I'm winding some onto a bobin. here when I wind it on the bobbin.

YouTube ·

Discovery Fabrics & Discovery Trekking Outfitters

Shirring Tutorial – Lowland Kids

Here you will find a quick tutorial on how to use elastic thread in the bobbin of your sewing machine to ruffle fabric and give it...

Lowland Kids

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泉州硕迈斯自动化科技有限公司

https://www.somax-automation.com › elastic-sewing-mac...

SM-13B/U is an automatic sewing machine,which is for pants,trunks,pajamas,underwear and shorts elastic waistband stitching.It's used on dress and clothing ...

Automatic Underwear Waistband Elastic Attaching Sewing ...

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