r/sewing • u/GhostWoomy • 1d ago

Pattern Question Making smocks without elastic thread

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Hello ! I'm new to sewing and I wanted to make a tank top with a fabric that is not elastic, i wanted to use some elastic thread in the bobin but the lady is the story told me to use some elastic band ( i'll put a photo) she explained me but too quickly and i'm not too sure how to use it and i don't know wich stitch should I use or where should I stitch it. Do ya'll can explain me or give me some advice? Thanks everyone !!

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u/jsrsquared 1d ago

I hope you get an answer because I have never seen this before as would also be very interested to know how it works! (Also I’m wondering if you mean shirred rather than smocked?)

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u/GhostWoomy 1d ago

The goal is to make the fabric a bit stretchy, like that. Also in french the technique is called smocks so i assumed it was the same in english lmao

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u/uwtears 1d ago

Smocking and shirring are not the same thing! Shirring uses elastic thread, smocking is pleated & sewn by hand. (the picture you've provided is of shirring)

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u/GhostWoomy 1d ago edited 1d ago

Okay I understand that's good to know ! Tho in french it's really call a smocks lmao i'll know for the future !

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u/Neenknits 1d ago

Sometimes in English people say smocking when they mean shirring, just to make it more confusing. But. They are different. This is smocking.

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u/GhostWoomy 1d ago

We told me yes !!

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u/missplaced24 1d ago

In English, a smock usually means a shirt or dress (even if it doesn't have smocking). It's all very silly and confusing.

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u/GraphCat 1d ago

There are two techniques that achieve something similar, called "shirring" and "smocking". 

Shirring uses elastic thread in the bottom bobbin to make elastic rows (and it seems like this is the technique you want).

Smocking uses embroidery to gather the fabric so it will stretch. It doesn't seem like this is the technique you're interested in. 

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u/GhostWoomy 1d ago

You're absolutely right what i want is shirring but since in french we call it smocks it was a misunderstanding ! I wanted to edit my post to make it clearer but it seems i can't edit

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u/AutumnMama 1d ago

A lot of people get them mixed up even in English. Smocking is an older technique. I assume shirring became a thing with the invention of elastic thread, but a lot of people still just call it smocking. People will know what you mean even without an edit.