Shirring to a stay is a vintage and historical sewing technique. This continues to be used to this day in high end fashion, but was much more prevalent in the eras before elastic thread allowed for home-sewn elastic shirring.
This technique was particularly prominent in 1930s through 1940s sewing, but I have seen specific references to it as early as the 1880s. Victorian historical dresses, from the 1830s onward utilized this method for puffs, gathers, ruffles, and decor.
For this video I’m doing a half-scale demonstration based on R159- the 1930s Frilled Blouse pattern. But you can use this video and apply the method for any pattern that mentions sewing to a stay piece.
Below a video will be added when it’s finished uploading.
The best visual example I could find online from a period sewing book is this page from All About Dressmaking by Mary Brooks Pickens from 1939 on Hathi Trust. It may not be available to everyone, depending on your location.
Happy Shirring!