Gathering Stitches

What you will learn

• Sewing long stitches
• Pulling gathers evenly
• Distributing fullness

Materials and tools

• Hand-sewing needle (sharps, size 7)
• Strong thread, such as polyester or cotton, in a contrasting colour
• Strip of cotton 20 in (50 cm) long
• Pins
• Fabric marker

Before you start

• Mark two lines on the strip, 1/4 in (6 mm) and 1/2 in (12 mm) from the raw edge.
• Cut each thread about 6 in (15 cm) longer than the edge you are gathering, so 26 in (65 cm) for this strip. Gathering is an exception to the usual 18 in (45 cm) length.
• Knot the end of the thread for each row. Do not backstitch at the end of either row.

1. Start with a knot on the wrong side. Sew a row of running stitches along the first line, 1/4 in (6 mm) long, and do not lock the thread at the end.
2. Leave a tail of thread at the end of the row, at least 3 in (8 cm) long.

3. Sew a second row of the same stitches, 1/4 in (6 mm) away from the first row. Make the stitches line up with those in the first row.

4. Pin one end of both rows to the piece you are joining. Pull the two loose thread tails together from the other end.
5. Slide the fabric along the threads, spreading the gathers evenly. Pin the gathered edge to the other piece.
6. Tie the loose thread ends together around a pin in a figure of eight, so the gathers do not slip. Sew the gathered edge in place with backstitch, working between the two gathering rows.
7. Remove the gathering threads once the seam is sewn. Press the seam, keeping the iron away from the gathers.

Tips for a neat result

• Use strong thread, as gathering thread can snap when pulled.
• Gather in short sections for long edges.
• Use a contrasting thread so you can pull it out.

Common mistakes and fixes

Check your result

• Gathers sit in even folds across the edge.
• The gathered edge matches the length of the piece it joins.

Projects that use this