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THE SHIRRING CALCULATOR

The Shirring Calculator takes the guesswork out of working with elastic thread and gathered fabrics.

Every fabric and elastic combination shrinks differently when shirred, so this tool does the maths for you.

Simply input the results from your swatch test (before and after shirring) along with your body measurements, and the calculator instantly generates your custom cutting dimensions.

Once you’ve entered your details, you’ll also receive a downloadable PDF plan that you can print or save. Giving you a personalised cutting guide you can return to every time you sew.

$7.00 AUD

WANT BOTH CALCULATORS?

Get the complete fabric toolkit and save.

Add the Shirring Calculator and the GSM Calculator to your cart together and receive both for a total of $15 AUD.

This bundle gives you two powerful tools:

  • The Shirring Calculator to plan fabric shrinkage and measurements with accuracy

  • The GSM Calculator to instantly work out fabric weights and compare textiles

Together they’ll help you sew smarter, waste less, and feel confident in every project.

Add The GSM Calculator

  • The Shirring Calculator is an online tool that removes the guesswork from sewing with elastic thread. Every fabric shrinks differently when shirred, so instead of relying on trial and error, you can run a quick swatch test, plug in your measurements, and get your custom cutting plan instantly.

    • Access to the online calculator

    • A downloadable PDF plan generated from your own measurements

    • A step-by-step worksheet for offline use

    • Instructions to help you apply shirring anywhere — bodices, waistbands, cuffs, sleeves, or full skirts

  • Anyone who wants to add shirring to their sewing with confidence. Whether you’re making your first shirred garment or exploring more advanced shaping (like curved or pointed designs), the calculator adapts to your fabric, elastic, and body.

    1. Do a quick fabric test swatch (measure before and after shirring).

    2. Input your swatch results + body measurements into the calculator.

    3. Instantly receive your cutting dimensions.

    4. Download your personalised PDF plan for future reference.

  • After purchase, you’ll receive an instant email with everything you need to get started:

    1. A direct link to the private Shirring Calculator page

    2. A password to unlock it

    3. A short PDF guide showing you exactly how to log in and use it

    Once you’re in, you can input your fabric swatch test and measurements right away, and the calculator will generate your custom cutting plan. You can also download a PDF version of your plan to save or print for your project.

    Tip: Bookmark the calculator page so you can return any time for future projects. It’s yours to use again and again.

  • No, once you have access, you can use it as many times as you like with different fabrics and projects. The tool recalculates for every new swatch test you run.

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