Gathers are created when fabric fullness is drawn into a smaller size. Usually, before the fabric piece is sewn to another part of the garment such as a sleeve head or where a cuff is attached. Another common area is the waistband area of a gathered skirt or attached ruffle.
While you can gather by hand sewing, using your sewing machine is quicker and will help ensure even-sized gathers.
How gather on your sewing machine
- Mark the fabric with the start and stop point for the gathers
- Increase your sewing machine stitch length to the longest setting and decrease your machine tension to the lowest setting
- Pull both, the needle and bobbin, thread tails out about 4-5" and place them under your presser foot and to the back of the machine
- Sew a line of stitching inside the seam allowance, usually lining up the edge of your fabric with the edge of your presser foot is a good width for the first row.
- Move your fabric over just a bit and sew another line of stitches down the fabric, again do not backstitch.
- Place a straight pin at one end of the rows and wrap your thread tails around the pin
- Separate your thread tails. Gently pull on one thread tail and slide the fabric over
- Pull on the thread tail in the other row. Continue pulling on the thread tails and sliding the fabric over.
- Distribute the gathers of fabric evenly
Once you have your gathers evenly spaced refer to your project directions. Many patterns will call for a regular row of stitching to sew the gathers in place before moving on.
Kotone
My method is to make sure to restitch the last half inch of seam with smallest stitch, especially if I've cut through the seam. Then I trim seam allowance at an angle, so only the smallest amount has to fight through the twist in the foot. I have a pin handy to poke and encourage……carefully……the fabric through the twist.
Margaret
How does that allow you to gather the fabric?
GETYOURHOLIDAYON
I always enjoy learning new things about crafts. Thanks for the tips! 🙂
Kimberly Felix
Thanks for this! I'm going to have to pin this. I have inherited a sewing machine but am really regretting NOT paying attention when my mom taught me decades ago.
Cristina - Memories of the Pacific
I wish I knew how to sew!
Shana Sutton
Wow! This seems totally doable! Creating "gathers" always seemed intimidating to me, but your tutorial definitely makes it seem more approachable. Thanks!!