So you probably know that there’s an easy way and a right way to gather fabric. But did you know there’s a way to get gorgeous gathers every time that won’t shift or bunch when you’re setting in your sleeve or adding your gathered fabric to your project?
I learned this trick from my mom, who learned it from my grandma. My grandma was somewhat of a sewing legend in the small community where I grew up. Everyone knew she was the best seamstress around, and man, I wish I knew more of her sewing tips and tricks. I know I could have learned so much from her, but sewing now hurts her back so I missed that boat. But I love all the things I can learn as my Mom passes them down.
Back to the gathers now–the fast, easy method for gathering is to baste a single line of stitches with your tension cranked to the highest setting. This creates a gentle gather as the fabric goes through the machine, and cuts your work significantly. However, they aren’t necessarily very even. And just try to get them to stay put when you’re attaching the gathered piece in place…it’s not going to happen easily.
So while a single line of gathers is the fastest and easiest method of gathering, the correct way to gather is to sew two rows of basting and pull the top (or bottom) threads of each row together to get your gathers. This gives you more stable gathers.
The gathers are much more even, and you have the extra security of knowing that if one row of stitches breaks, you’ll still have a backup, which saves a lot of time. However, sometimes I still get my gathers shifting and moving as I put in the sleeve. It’s because there’s still a lot of shifting that happens between the two lines of stitching.
But if you want the most stable gathers–even when you’re sewing your gathered fabric to your project--try adding a third row of stitches.
Tip: Add a third row of stitching to stabilize your gathers.
Look at how even those gathers are! They’re pretty much perfect because the third row stabilizes everything. You know how when you have two points on a line, there’s still wiggle room but when there are three points nothing moves? Same concept. Now when you sew in your sleeve, sew along the middle row, leaving the third row exposed. It will keep your gathers from shifting.
One more tip: Press your perfect gathers with lots of steam. This will help them stay in place.
Then, once everything’s sewn into place, remove the third row of basting, and you’ll have amazing gathers every time.
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That's a very good trick to know! I've never tried it but have a project I'm working on and can try this! Thanks for sharing it with us! Pinned. :) Have a great week!
Hi Marti--let me know your thoughts when you try it out! Thanks for pinning!
I use the two row method but like the idea behind your third row. Cheers.
Thanks, Angela! I admit to only using the third row when I need my gathers to be super even--other times I still use 2 rows. :)
Wow, never thought about a third row. I have always used only two rows. It makes sense, though. Thanks!
It really does make sense when you think about it--I remember thinking the same thing when my mom taught me that trick from my grandma!
Looks like some extra work, but So worth it for such pretty gathers.
It is an extra step, but worth it. And the way I look at it, it would take me forever to get the hem to look alright anyway, so this way the last step goes faster. :)
I tried this and it works fabulously well! Thank you for the tip.
Ohh, I'm so glad you tried it, Annette!
This is how I've been doing it for the last year! I was skeptical at first, cause man, 3 rows??? But it really makes such a difference! Thanks for sharing!!!
I thought,"how much of a difference can an extra row of stitching make?" As it turns out, a ton! I was amazed at how much better this makes the process- so much easier to gather, and so much better looking. Thanks for the tip!
I can't wait to try this, but may I ask? Could you use a triple needle to save time and baste all three rows at once?
Will this work with chiffon?
Yes! It works great on fussy fabrics. Just be careful when removing any basting that you are gentle with your fabric.
Hi,
I am new to all this. Do you tie off one row and pull two or tie off two and pull one to create the gather?
Pull the top threads of all three rows to get the gathers!