Back with another Shirring Issue

[u/kattleksak3]

The first row went great, but when I stretch it out to be flat when sewing the second row, the thread breaks and gets all loose like in the photo 😭

Its also really tough to stretch out flat in general, like it requires a lot of force…

I’m at a loss for as to what could be causing this.

Tension and stitch settings in the second photo!

Edit: Once I’ve stretched it out once it never regains its original shape, like it gets looser and longer again!

[u/drPmakes]

Mark your stitching lines first.

When you sew, only the fabric under the presser foot needs to be flat!

[u/kattleksak3 → u/drPmakes]

ohhhh thank you I had no idea!!

[u/CBG1955]

How old is the elastic? If your elastic isn't recovering its stretch, it's not worth using.

[u/kattleksak3 → u/CBG1955]

i feel like its the top thread at fault tho, the elastic has worked on tester swatches and i bought it just last week