shir

A tailor uses shirring to add elastic to the waistband of a skirt.

Definition

1. Noun (chiefly American English):

   • A type of elastic band or cord: "shir" refers to an elastic or drawstring-like band, often woven into fabric (e.g., at the neck of stockings or socks) to provide stretch and fit.
   • A gathered or shirred section of fabric: In textile contexts, "shir" can denote a series of parallel lines of stitching that gather fabric, creating a decorative or functional elastic effect.

2. Verb (transitive):

   • To weave or insert elastic material into fabric: "shir" means to incorporate elastic threads or bands into cloth, typically to create a stretchy fit in garments like cuffs, waistbands, or sock tops.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The sock's shir was worn out, so it no longer stayed up. (The elastic band at the top of the sock lost its tension.)
  • She sewed a shir into the waistband to make the skirt adjustable. (She added an elastic drawstring for stretch.)

• Verb:

  • The tailor will shir the fabric to create a gathered effect. (The tailor will weave elastic into the material to make it bunch up.)
  • They shirred the cuffs of the sleeves to keep them snug. (They inserted elastic bands into the cuffs for a tight fit.)

Advanced Usage

• "shirred fabric": cloth that has been gathered or pleated by stitching parallel rows of elastic thread.

  • The dress featured shirred fabric at the back for a comfortable fit. (The back of the dress had elastic-gathered material.)

• "shirring" (as a gerund): the process or result of making such gathered fabric.

  • Shirring is often used in children's clothing for ease of dressing. (The technique of inserting elastic to gather cloth.)

Variants and Related Words

• Shirred (adj): having elastic or gathered stitching.

  • The shirred bodice of the blouse allowed for flexibility. (The gathered, elastic part of the blouse's upper section.)

• Shirring (n): the technique or pattern of parallel rows of gathering stitches.

  • She learned shirring in her sewing class. (She studied the method of creating gathered elastic fabric.)

Synonyms

• Elastic: a flexible band or cord made of rubber or synthetic material.
• Drawstring: a cord that can be tightened or loosened to adjust fit.
• Gather: (verb) to pull fabric together with stitches to create fullness.

Related Idioms