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You've seen those cute sundresses with the stretchy tops right? They are really simple to make. The process is called shirring. Often, it's mistakenly called "smocking", but smocking is a very old form of embroidery that creates a stretchy, pleated effect without using elastic. Shirring uses elastic and a sewing machine to create a stretchy, gathered fabric.

It's deceptively easy to do. The only special tool you need is elastic thread, which is easy to find and comes on a spool.

Full details and instructions are here: Shirring sure is simple!