Gathering is used all the time.  It’s usually just decorative (like ruffles), but sometimes gathers can add fullness for practical reasons (like a gathered skirt for comfort).

It’s really easy to do.  There are countless ways to gather fabric, including specialty gathering presser feet for your machine, but the method we’ll go over here is the most basic.  It lets you get the perfect gather, exactly the length you’d like it.

Use one sample rectangle 3″x10″ to practice with.

Start with a basting stitch.  Just set your stitch length as long as it will go.  This makes it easy to gather and to take out if needed when you’re finished.

Using the 10″ sample piece, line the edge you’d like to gather 1/8″ from the needle (along the inner edge of the presser foot) and sew down the length you’d like to gather. DO NOT reverse stitch at the beginning or end of your stitching, just leave long thread tails at both ends to gather with later.

Now line the edge of your fabric at 1/4″ and sew down the same way you did before.  Once again, leave long thread tails at both ends.  Your two lines should be parallel, but it doesn’t have to be perfect, as long as they don’t cross over each other.

Hold onto the bobbin threads (the lower thread) at one end and use your other hand to scrunch the fabric and gather.

When you have your gather the length of the other scrap rectangle (5″ long), tie knots on both sides.

Now you can even out your gathers and sew the gathered edge of the gather sample to the other scrap rectangle and press the seam open.

Once you’ve sewn the gather in place, use your seam ripper to take out any baste stitches that are seen  from the outside of the project.

HOMEWORK