Shearing elastic? should it go through a needle on a sewing machine or the shuttle?

Question

I am having difficulty making a summer dress using shearing elastic, it doesn't seem to be gathering up

Answer 1

it goes on the shuttle (bobbin) so that the elastic is on the inside of the garment and the appropriate coloured thread is on the outside and visible.

Try a little on a spare piece of material first to try to figure out how it's going wrong - better than getting holes in your dress!!

H x

Answer 2

The bobbin or shuttle, cotton through the needle. Sewing on the right side.

Answer 3

Hand wind the bobbin with elastic thread, using very little stretching while you're winding.  Use regular thread on top, and a slightly long stitch.  

After you're done with the shirring (shearing is cutting, btw),

use a good burst of steam from an iron held over the shirring and watch it draw up.

You typically need multiple rows of shirring to get much of an "elastic fit".