Sew and Tell with the Maise Cape (Peacock Version)

 

Just in time for Halloween... this week we are featuring the Peacock Maise Cape from My Childhood Treasures!  Obviously, this gorgeous cape would make for an impressive Halloween costume, but I'd parade my little one around in it all during the chilly months!  What I find totally cool about this pattern is that you also get the original version of the Maise Cape included for free (the peacock version is actually an add-on that's included with the original file).  So you get the peacock version, the Little Red Riding Hood version, and a plain version- all wrapped up into one pattern that we just so happen to have on sale for 25% off this week!  Hurray!!!

 

 

If you wanted to use this pattern as a costume piece, I'm sure you could come up with endless uses!  I'm not creative as some of you, but if you made the cape a little longer, it might work for a witches costume.  You could also make it in some sparkly or lacey fabrics and use it as a cover up for your little princesses if it gets really cold while trick-or-treating in your neck of the woods.  We don't really run into that problem in Alabama too often, but some of you might!  A Little Red Riding Hood costume is an obvious choice and would be absolutely darling!  If you wanted to use the Peacock Version as a costume, you could pair it with blue pants and a blue shirt underneath, or do like the pattern suggests and use the Tutu Dress in pretty shades of blue.  Oh, or how about making it in all white while having your child wear all white, and doing black eyes and a mouth on the hood to make a ghost costume?  And let's not forget that superheroes wear capes ;) 

 

Just some general info about the pattern...  It can be made in sizes 1- 8, and a size chart providing chest measurements is provided.  Since the cape is fully lined, it can be reversible, however it wouldn't work if you did the peacock version because the feathers extend farther down and would be seen from the other side.  A fabric requirement chart is provided, and the smallest size needs a yard for each side of the cape, and the largest size needs 1 1/4 yards for each side of the cape.  There are 12 pages to print out for the cape pattern pieces (which are all nested, color-coded and labeled) and 4 pages for the peacock applique pieces.  A 2x2 inch square is include on the pattern pieces to ensure that your pattern is printing at the correct scale.  There's a convenient "Sewing Terms" glossary at the very end to help you with any sewing terms that you might not be familiar with.  It's a useful reference for any pattern you may be working on!  Please note, this pattern may only be made for personal use.  If you sew for profit, you can contact the designer to inquire about her latest policies in regards to selling the items made from this pattern. 

 

As far as the construction is concerned, I've sewn up a few things from My Childhood Treasures recently and am always pleased with both the process and the end results.  Her patterns are very well-written and have a nice flow to them.  Every step is accompanied with a helpful photo so you're not left wondering if you're doing it right.  The appliques for the Peacock and Little Red Riding Hood are both done using felt.  The patterns for all the pieces, plus detailed directions on how to construct the appliques are included.  Give it a try, and see how easy it is!

 

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We've got Mary Ann reviewing this pattern for us today.  Take a look at her amazing version!

 

 

While thumbing through patterns on Fairytale Frocks & Lollipops, I had to stop and do a double take when I ran across the Peacock Maise Cape (special edition) by My Childhood Treasures!  Seeing that I love peacock feathers and the attractive colors they present, it didn’t take me long deciding to purchase the pattern.  Am I glad I did!

 

My sewing inspiration was a neighborhood grandmother who made wonderful dresses for her granddaughters.  As a child, I was so impressed since I didn’t have a grandmother of my own (especially one who sews).  Now, I sew for my grandkids.  Hopefully, I inspire others to create beautiful handmade garments for their families and friends.  I am looking forward to opening an Etsy store in the near future.  You are welcome to view some of my first projects at www.sew-letoile.tumblr.com.

 

Let’s get started!  I am so pleased to review such a versatile pattern.  I chose a peacock print lining called Regent Peacock by Alexander Henry Fabrics Collections that I found at Hobby Lobby.  The outer fabric is teal pinwale corduroy found at JoAnn’s Fabric.  Feathers are cotton scraps in coordinating colors.  

Prewashing is a must if you are working with corduroy and cotton.  Tip: Corduroy can be tricky when preparing to cut pattern pieces.  There is a nap so all pattern pieces need to face the same direction on the fabric.  My printed lining was placed in the same manner. 

 

The directions for this pattern are easy to follow and construction was a breeze.  I’m big on pressing seams as I go along since it makes the finished garment look so much more professionally made.  And yes, the instructions recommend pressing (no wonder the finished cape looks so nice)!  The recommended topstitching is another must for a well made garment.

 

Peacock feathers… Peacock feathers adorn my sewing room so I found inspiration right at my fingertips.  The pattern designer lists suggestions in lieu of felt.  I chose cotton scraps and Pellon fusible interfacing to back the two larger feather pattern pieces and provide some stiffness.  I lined each feather with the matching cape lining.  The feathers give the cape some weight and provide a nice drape.

What a fun sew!  The pattern also includes a template for a peacock headpiece and instructions as well as an appliqué for Little Red Riding Hood and instructions.  I’m seriously thinking of making a pink flamingo cape!  Soon, very soon!

 

Isn't that cape stunning?!?  I love that she left the headpiece off of the hood to make it look a little less "costume-y" for everyday wear!  And the idea to make a pink flamingo version... holy moly I want to see that!!  You could do an owl version, too!  The possibilities are endless!  Who knew you could have so much fun with a cape?? 

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Pair it Up!

In the spirit of Halloween, we're going to showcase a few trick-or-treat bags you could quickly sew up for our Pair it Up section today!

 

The Halloween Treat Bag pattern from Charming Doodle can be used to make 5 different styles of treat bags.  There's a cat, strawberry, fairy princess, jack-o-lantern, and monster to choose from.  But as we've learned above, the only limit is your imagination!  Don't let your little ones go out with a generic plastic pumpkin... or worse, an old Wal-Mart sack, ha!!  We've got this pattern on sale for only $5 for a limited time, so make one up to perfectly compliment that handmade costume you've been working so hard on!

 

The Halloween Bag or Library Tote from Hadley Grace Designs is another fun way for the kids to haul around their loot!  They'll have to trick-or-treat all night to fill that sucker up!  Make it in some spooky Halloween prints and add their initial or an applique to create a customized bag that will receive just as much attention as their costumes!  The bag pattern also works great year round in your favorite prints!

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Make sure you go to the website and purchase your copy of The Peacock Maise Cape for 25% off while it's still on sale  :)  Also, be sure to get your entries in for our 1st Annual Handmade Halloween Costume Contest!  Simply design a Halloween costume around one or more of the over 800 patterns we carry on our website.  We're giving away over $300 in awesome prizes from some awesome vendors!  The last day to enter is October 20th, so fire up your sewing machine!!!  Find the details by clicking on the banner below :)

 

 

 Go sew something magical!

 



Take a look at where we link up our blog posts! 

 

Sew Up Something Spooky... or Sweet!!!

Are you participating in our 1st Annual Handmade Halloween Costume Contest???  It's easy-peasy to enter.  Go to our website, Fairytale Frocks & Lollipops, and choose a pattern or two (It can patterns you already own or that you've bought from the designers directly, too.  Just as long as we carry it on our site, you're good to go!) and design a costume around it!  You can turn a peasant dress into a princess dress, you can turn a pair of overalls into a Mario costume, you can take a collared top and pair it with a full skirt and an apron to make an I Love Lucy costume (ahem, that may or may not be what I'm doing...).  Just let your imagination run wild and have FUN!!! 

We have an impressive list of prizes we'll be awarding to three lucky winners.  If you're a fan of fabric and sewing patterns, it just might tickle your fancy!  The prizes total over $300!!  Check out the Facebook prize album we have set up to browse through them all, and be sure to show our sponsors some love! 

To read the original contest post to find out all the details regarding the Costume Contest, follow the link here.  Entries need to be in by the end of the day October 20th.  We'll announce the winners on Halloween!! 

 

 

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And just because we love Halloween around here, we are also having a little fun with a sneaky ghost that's been showing up on our website!  Each weeknight at 9 PM CST, this little guy will show up in a different place on our website.  Be the first to find him and comment where he's hiding on the Ghost Post on our FB wall, and you'll earn yourself a 15% off discount code that can be used on anything on the website for the next 48 hours!  There will only be one winner per weekday, so be quick and look out for clues on the FB page :)

 

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So start browsing, get sewing, and be sure to share this contest with your friends!  We'd love for you to help us spread the word by either pinning this post or sharing on FB!  Thanks so much, and may the best costume win!!

 Go sew something magical!

 



Take a look at where we link up our blog posts! 

 

Sew and Tell with the Tea Party Dress

 

Hello again!  How many of you have a head start on your holiday sewing?  I, for one, haven't started my Halloween sewing yet (I know, for shame!), but I know some of you are already looking into Christmas and holiday patterns.  The one we are reviewing today is perfect for holiday parties, family photos, birthdays, weddings, princess costumes, church... any special occasion where you want the "wow" factor. 

The Tea Party Dress by the Handmaiden's Cottage is absolutely stunning, isn't it?  It's been a best-seller on our site for weeks now, and I'm sure you can see why.  Everything about this dress is jaw-dropping, mind-blowing, absolutely exquisite!!  Can you tell I kinda like it?  And it even comes in a doll size (sold separately here) so your little angel and her doll can match.  How cute!!

This pattern is perfect for all the little princesses out there in sizes 6m- Girls 8.  If you are unsure of the size your little one would wear, there is a size chart included that will give you finished measurements for both the bodice and dress length.  The back bodice contains elastic, so there is some "give" to the fit.  You'll also find that there is a yardage chart included, so be sure to double check that you have enough fabric before beginning!  As you can imagine, all the ruffles take up a good bit of fabric- but the end result is definitely worth it!  The smallest size calls for a total of 3 yards and the largest size calls for a total of 5 1/4 yards for the whole dress. 

I think you'll be surprised at how easy to follow this pattern is.  It looks intimidating, but designer Lynn Jeffries does a beautiful job of walking you through step-by-step.  The tutorial itself is only 30 pages long (15 pages for the directions and 15 pages for the pattern pieces), but there is a lot of  good "stuff" in there.  With all the detailed photos along the way, you'll be just fine!  I've heard feedback from several people saying the dress was much easier to construct than they anticipated. 

The pattern pieces have all the sizes nested together with the lines for each size being a different color.  The ruffles and underskirt don't have pattern pieces, but rather a chart is provided so you can cut out the rectangles using the dimensions given.  Each page of the entire tutorial is labeled with the name of the pattern and numbered (we all know how important that is in the event of children or pets getting into our sewing rooms, right?)  She even includes a diagram showing you how to line up the pattern piece pages so there's no confusion about how they fit together. 

All-in-all, this is a very thorough design that you won't be disappointed with!  And the end result?  Stunning!  If you'd like to give this dress a try, you can purchase it on the website for 25% off right now!  This offer won't last long (probably only until October 14th), so be sure to get your order in now! 

Let's go ahead and get to the review sent in to us by Stephanie.  You can take a look at some of her other work here. 

 

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My name is Stephanie Hull, and I am the mother of four amazing kids!  I have been sewing on and off since I was 16 when my grandma taught me, but after my twins were born last year, I jumped in and started expanding my skills and improving my home business (S.H. Designs Boutique) by making clothes and baby items.  I would describe myself as an advanced beginner with an "I can do that!" attitude.  I'm more than willing to make a pattern that requires skills that I don't currently have.  I learn best by jumping in!

 

 

I looked at the Tea Party Dress by The Handmaiden's Cottage and fell in love.  I knew that I currently had some pink velvet and black satin in my fabric stash, and I planned to use only fabrics I had on hand instead of purchasing fabrics.

 

I read the pattern very carefully a few times before even starting to cut.  It took me about half an hour to cut all the pieces.  The overskirt and bodice were all printed pieces, and the rest are just measured rectangles for the ruffles and underskirt. It probably would have taken me a lot less time had I opted to use cottons instead of slippery fabrics.

 

Once I had everything cut, I had a small panic attack because I felt like I had gotten in a bit over my head and/or that I was never going to finish this project.  I was very quickly proved wrong!  If you know how to use your machine to make a basting stitch (or you have another preferred method of making ruffles), you can sew this pattern very easily!  Working with the velvet and satin was a bit fussy and took me several hours to hem, ruffle, and sew.  However, when I made the pattern again out of cotton, it took me two and a half hours from cutting to completion!

 

The pattern is well written, and does a great job with pictures and explanations.  There is also a page on customizing your dress.  For mine, I wasn't too thrilled with the way the skirt looked when connected to the bodice, because the velvet was a bit heavier than I anticipated, so I opted to add a sash.  I think what thrilled me most of all is that this dress looks so complicated when it's completed, but the construction is very simple and straightforward!  I made the size 18mos/2T for my daughter and the fit and length were perfect.

 

 

The most important piece of advice I can give for anyone who wants to make this pattern is to read through it carefully a couple of times before cutting and starting your project, especially the cutting section.  I was very eager to get sewing and rushed through it the first time and thought I knew what to cut, but ended up a couple of pieces short. It was obviously an easy fix, but even for a small size, this dress uses quite a bit of fabric, and cutting wrong can mean wasting fabric and I hate wasting beautiful fabrics!

 

 

All in all, I adore this pattern!  Since sewing together my first pink velvet and black satin creation last week, I have sewed one more Tea Party Dress and have two more planned.  I think that there is so much gratification from this relatively simple pattern and my daughters love that they look like princesses!  I would highly recommend this pattern for everyone, from beginner to advanced!

Photos were taken by RoniD.Photography.  You can find them on FB at  https://www.facebook.com/RoniD.Photography

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Just gorgeous!!  I've been curious as to what this dress would look like with a different color ruffle on the underskirt, and I love it!  I mean, even that little boy couldn't help but run up and give her a flower she looked so beautiful  ;) 

 

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Pair it Up!

 

For more extraordinary holiday outfit ideas, take a look at just a few that we have available.


 

The Lulu pettiskirt/ruffled skirt from Tulips & Edelweiss will definitely turn some heads!  Can you believe all the volume that skirt has??  That is some serious frilly goodness!  You can wear the Lulu alone as a skirt or wear it under another dress with a full skirt to give it a dramatic effect.  This can be made in sizes 12m- Girls 14, and there's even a bonus 18" doll size included! 

 

The Precious Dress from The Scientific Seamstress is perfect for holiday get-togethers!  I adore the puff sleeves, and I'm a sucker for a Peter Pan collar!  There are a lot of ways you can play around with this pattern to get just the look you're after.  Add an apron, make it sleeveless, leave off the collar, add a sash... it's so versatile and fun to make!  This pattern comes in sizes 3m- Girls 10, and there's a bonus 15"-18" doll pattern included with this one, too!  There will be lots of cute kids with their cute dolls this holiday season!  Oh, and this pattern is 25% off right now on our website until October 13th  :) 

 

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Make sure you go to the website and purchase your copy of The Tea Party Dress for 25% off while it's still on sale  :)  Also, we'd love for you to join us as we kick off our 1st Annual Handmade Halloween Costume Contest!  Simply design a Halloween costume around one or more of the over 800 patterns we carry on our website.  We're giving away over $300 in awesome prizes from some awesome vendors!  Find the details by clicking on the banner below :)

 

 

 Go sew something magical!

 



Take a look at where we link up our blog posts! 

 

Sew and Tell with the Payden Pants

 

Hi everyone!  How many patterns for ruffle pants do you currently own?  My answer is always, "Not enough!"  Lol!!  Each one is unique in its own way, and I hate doing the math to make adjustments to a pattern I already own.  Ruffle pants go with EVERYTHING, so there's always a need for them.  And who wants a closet full of the same pair of pants?  Boring...

 

Let's get to our review for this week-  The Payden pattern from Juvie Moon!  These pants are super quick to put together and are FABULOUS!!  So what sets these pants apart from the others?  Take a look at the length.  They aren't really capris, and they aren't floor length.  These pants fall somewhere in between for a sort of "cropped" look.  These would be great pants to wear in the summer or to wear with boots in the colder months.  Plus, these aren't just ruffled pants... these are double ruffle pants!  You can do both ruffles in the same fabric as the legs or choose complimentary/contrasting fabrics to really create the fun, boutique look that Juvie Moon is known for. 

 

The Payden Pants are both quick to make and easy to wear.  There are 8 pages of instructions (though the first and last page just show an image of the finished product) and 12 pages of pattern pieces that are all nicely labeled with the sizes nested together.  There's an elastic waistband for a great fit and ease during trips to the potty.  (We all know that's a must during potty training!)  These can be made in girls sizes 2-8.  Juvie Moon has a really helpful document that shows you how much fabric you'll need for each size, the finished pants length, and waist measurements.  If you want to give these pants a try, we'll have them on sale for the next few days.  Head over to the website and get them for 25% off!  Well, actually, before you go, stick around and read the review sent in to us by Candice!

 

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I tested the Payden pants from Juvie Moon Designs in a 3T. I am an advanced beginner in sewing. I have sewn a few tops and dresses for my daughter, but this was my first pair of pants. I used cotton from Joann Fabrics.

 

 

It took me less than 2 hours to complete this sewing project from printing the pattern to trying the finished product on my daughter. The pattern pieces were very easy to assemble, and there were clear directions on how to measure the fabric for the ruffles and elastic for the waist. My only advice is to pre-wash your fabric and reinforce the seams.

 

  

These pants fit my daughter perfectly. The bottom of the ruffles land right at the top of my daughter's feet, which is nice because I don't have to worry about her tripping. The legs are nice and wide for a comfortable fit. The waist fits perfect- not too snug or loose. They cover her bum when she runs around playing, crawling, bending ever, etc. I don't have to worry about her undies showing. I did not change any of the pattern, but I think next time I might add pockets because my daughter loves putting her lip gloss and other small items in them.

 

 

I see my daughter having many pairs of these pants! She loves to spin around in them because of the ruffles. They are such a fun alternative to simple pants and look great dressed up or with just a simple T-shirt.

 

 

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Pair it Up!

What's a perfect pair of pants without a perfect top?  Let's take a look at some great choices that you can give your little one a complete outfit that's absolutely perfect!

 

 

 

The Simply Sweet Girl's Tunic Top and Blouse from Wink Designs is exactly as it sounds- simply sweet!  Not only is there a long-sleeved option (as shown), but there is also a sleeveless option for summer, which makes this pattern a winner in my book!  It can be made in sizes 1- 8 years. 

 

 

 

Another option that your little one could wear all year long would be the Terrific Tee from Whimsy Couture.  This is a really versatile knit top that is made without binding.  It's made for both boys and girls, and comes with 2 sleeve lengths- either short or long.  It can be made in sizes 12m- 14 years.

 

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Make sure you go to the website and purchase your copy of the Payden Pants for 25% off while it's still on sale  :)  Also, we'd love for you to join us as we kick off our 1st Annual Handmade Halloween Costume Contest!  Simply design a Halloween costume around one or more of the over 800 patterns we carry on our website.  We're giving away over $300 in awesome prizes from some awesome vendors!  Find the details by clicking on the banner below :)

 

 

 Go sew something magical!

 



Take a look at where we link up our blog posts! 


 

Sew and Tell with the Bailey Tunic

Hi everyone!  Who's ready for another Sew and Tell?  Today we've got the Bailey Tunic from GreenStyleCreations.  We know y'all are probably pretty darn excited about that because GreenStyleCreations is one of the most talked about pattern lines right now.  Designer Angelyn Bennett creates gorgeous patterns made for knit fabrics that are perfect for school, play, and everyday wear.  Her collection also include plenty of designs for women, so go pick out a few and do some selfish-sewing, ladies! 

 

We love the Bailey Tunic because:

 A.)  Look at it. It's stinkin' adorable! 

B.)  It's a super quick sew. 

C.)  It's made of knit, so it won't wrinkle easily, plus it's comfy and easy to wear!

D.)  The whole tutorial is only 13 pages long!  That includes the pattern pieces, too!  So if you are one who likes to print out the whole thing, you won't be using up a lot of paper and ink.

This pattern can be made in sizes 12m- 12 girls.  It comes with an optional short-sleeve template if you prefer to add sleeves.  You can get as crazy with the embellishment on the bib as you like, or you can keep it sweet and simple, if you prefer.  Don't be afraid to jump in and try a knit sewing project :)  This was our reviewer's first time using knits, and she did a great job!  If you're still feeling a little nervous, take a look at our Knit-acular, Spectacular post from a few months back that will help give you a little more confidence when sewing with knits. 

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Let's take a look at the review Neila sent in!  You can see her work at Speckled Pup Originals on Etsy.

Hello!  I recently completed the GreenStyleCreations Bailey Tunic.  I am somewhat of a new sewer, having only done wonky hems on my Mom's 50 year old Singer until Christmas of last year, when I received a new sewing machine from my sweet hubby.  Ok, basically, he said, "Go buy what you want, and I'll pay for it," which is really the best of both worlds!  Since then, I have been sewing a few dresses, completed a couple of sew-a-longs, and most recently made some purses.  I have been a little afraid of knits, so I decided to "just do it" and give this pattern a try. 

 

This pattern was very easy to follow and not too many pieces to cut out/tape together.  This pattern took about 2 hours, start-to-finish.  That included the front trim and buttons, which I am a little slow at.    I like that there were options for the front trim.  I chose to add rick rack and buttons to match.

 

I chose a fuchsia knit from Hobby Lobby (thin) and a turquoise zebra print from Hancock Fabrics (much thicker and nicer).  I'm new to the knit world, like I said, and didn't know what I was looking for.  However, I will say, both were easy to work with.  I dreaded working on the neckline, but a good rule of thumb is to cut the neckline 25% smaller than the neck opening, so it doesn't look stretched out and wonky (and trying the neckline over your model's head before attaching to the shirt helps too!)  I was quite proud of how my neckline turned out! 

 

I made the 5/6 size for my daughter, who is in 6/7's now.  Based on the measurements, however, I added a couple of inches where it says "lengthen or shorten here," and it was just right for my daughter.  So it tends to run a little on the bigger side.  If you are making it for someone who is between sizes, I would choose the smaller size to make, then just add length as needed.

I LOVE this pattern, and will be one of my go-to patterns for tanks from now on!  Best of all, my daughter LOVES it!!  

 

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I am a huge zebra print fan, so this top gets major kudos in my book!  And y'all, this was her first knit project!!  Isn't that awesome??  Doesn't that make you want to go give knit a try, lol?  I've really and truly decided I like sewing with knits recently, and it's especially easy with my serger.  Why don't you try out this pattern since we've got it for 25% off right now?  It will only be on sale for a few days, so make sure you get your hands on it NOW!! 

 

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Pair it Up!

Take a look at these super sweet finds that will perfectly compliment your Bailey Tunic!

 

 

The Bella Bubble Skirt from Laurence & Carmine Australia is a new addition to our shop.  It's a gorgeous bubble skirt that would be perfect for cooler weather!  Can't you just see it with some thick tights, furry boots, and a cardi over the Bailey Tunic?  You can sew this one up in either knits or non-stretch fabrics- both work great!  The size range is 3-6 years. 

 

 

The Little Big Pants pattern from LilyGiggle is not only fun to say, but it's also a great pair of cropped pants.  The wide legs and flat-front waist (elastic in back) give these pants a lot of personality.  These are perfect for up-cycling those vintage sheets or curtains that have sweet lace edging!  These can be made in sizes 12m- 10 years. 

 

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Make sure you go to the website and purchase your copy of the Bailey Tunic for 25% off while it's still on sale  :)  Also, we'd love for you to join us as we kick off our 1st Annual Handmade Halloween Costume Contest!  Simply design a Halloween costume around one or more of the over 800 patterns we carry on our website.  We're giving away over $300 in awesome prizes from some awesome vendors!  Find the details by clicking on the banner below :)

 

 

 Go sew something magical!

 



Take a look at where we link up our blog posts! 


 

Comparing Elastic Threads: Which is Best?

 

Hi there!  Have you ever wondered how elastic thread (you know, the kind you use for shirring) compares from brand to brand?  I normally buy Gutermann because that was what was available at JoAnn the first time I decided I needed some.  I've just been buying it ever since.  But a few months back, I went into Hobby Lobby and tried to pick some up, and they don't carry it!  So I decided to pick up a spool of Dritz elastic thread and a spool of Sew-Ology and hope for the best.  I was really impressed with Sew-Ology (I opted to try that one over the Dritz for my project).  I've also heard a lot of people talking about how awesome Stretchrite is, too.  With all these choices, what's a girl to do?  Well, I decided to do a little experiment to compare all 4 of these brands and want to share my results with you all so you can make informed buying decisions, too! 

Just some background info...

*  I cut 4 identical rectangles measuring 12"x 5" out of gray broadcloth.  I then labeled then A, B, C, and D.

*  I assigned Stretchrite to Fabric A, Dritz to Fabric B, Gutermann to Fabric C, and Sew-Ology to Fabric D.

 

*  I did 8 rows of shirring on each piece of fabric, with each row being 1/4" apart.

 The results...

The photo on the left shows the shirring before I hit it with some steam.  The photo on the right shows how much they shrank up once I steamed them.  Each blue square measures one inch.  The fabric rectangles started out being 12 inches long, and this is how much they've shrunk. 
 

Here's what I found.  The Sew-Ology thread created the tightest shirring, followed by Stretch-Rite, then Gutermann, and lastly Dritz.  This doesn't necessarily mean you should never use Dritz.  If you're wanting to add a little shirring, like to perhaps a pocket for some added interest, then Dritz might be a good choice.  I guess it would just depend on how tight you wanted your shirring to be for your specific project.  If using shirring on a bodice, I would want the tightest fit to ensure the bodice stayed put, so I'll be sticking with Sew-Ology for that :)

Please note that these are simply my findings from my own little experiment in my house.  I haven't made a garment with each of these threads to test their durability and/or long-term elasticity, so those might be other factors you would want to consider.  Plus, there may be other brands of thread out there that are awesome.  I don't know of any...but they might be out there!  So anyways, I hope this was helpful! 

 And now, a reminder about our latest contest!

 

We're hosting a Handmade Halloween Costume Contest, and we'd love for you to be a part of it!  Simply design a Halloween costume around one or more of the over 800 patterns we carry on our website.  We're giving away over $300 in awesome prizes!  Find the details by clicking on the banner below :)

 

 

 Go sew something magical!

 



Take a look at where we link up our blog posts!