A gathered type of casket interior produced on a sewing machine with multiple needles is called what?

• A. Shirred
• B. Tufted interior
• C. Pleated
• D. Quilted

Answer: (A)

Shirred interior describes fabric that is gathered into rows by stitching, creating a soft, pleated look across the surface. This effect is achieved on a sewing machine with multiple needles by running several parallel lines of stitches that pull the fabric together, often using elastic thread to form evenly spaced gathers. This gathered texture is what sets it apart from other interior finishes: tufted interiors have raised, button-like dimples created by tufting; pleated interiors have folds but not the elastic-driven gathering; and quilted interiors involve padding and stitched patterns between layers. Because the machine-gathered, elastic-driven technique produces the distinctive gathered surface, the interior is known as shirred.