A decorative finishing technique whereby material is drawn up into gathers between parallel rows of stitching. The rows can be pulled up by hand and fixed in place; shirring today is usually made with the help of an elasticated thread, called shirring elastic, which makes the gathers but at the same time whilst allowing the fabric to stretch open to it’s original size.
This tubular elastic thread is wound onto the bobbin with the usual cotton sewing thread at the top. As each row is stitched the elastic feeds through at full stretch causing the fabric to self-gather; several rows of elasticated shirring create a stable depth of gathering, which moulds to whatever form it is pulled over.
Shirring tape is used on curtain headings to create a gathered drape, and comes in single, double, smocking, four cord and pencil pleat tape.