Shirring mistakes and fixes
Troubleshooting.
- Not gathering: check the stitch length (4 to 5) and that the elastic is on the bobbin case hook.
- Elastic coming out: back tack securely; don't use an automatic thread cutter.
- Too much or too little gathering: try 4.5 to 5 for more, 3.5 to 4 for less.
- Folds caught in stitching: keep the fabric flat and taut.
- Bobbin runs out mid-row: unpick a few stitches, reload, overlap and tie the tails.
Watch
How To Fix Shirring Problems (simple and quick method!) (5:17)
By Tammy Handmade · Open on YouTube
Chosen from its title and channel: a 5-minute video from Tammy Handmade on the same topic as this guide. Embedded from YouTube with credit; we don't host it. It only loads when you press play.
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Sources
All checked 1 November 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.