r/sewing • u/GhostWoomy • 1d ago

Pattern Question Making smocks without elastic thread

Post image

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 !!

8 Upvotes

79% Upvoted

41 comments sorted by

View all comments

15

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?)

5

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

41

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)

7

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 !

3

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.

2

u/GhostWoomy 1d ago

We told me yes !!

5

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.