How to Make a Bunching in Sewing

A bunched neckline adds style to a plain shirt.

In sewing, there are many techniques used to make special designs in the fabrics. These designs often have multiple names. For example, bunching, basting and ruffling are the same technique. Bunching the fabric is a type of ruffle-making, only with less fabric. Bunching the fabric is done in spots to add shape to the item being sewn. For instance, the bunched front of a jersey shirt that adds definition to the chest and neckline of a shirt.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Choose the place on the project that you will want the bunched fabric.

2. Set the stitch on the sewing machine to the widest stitch position by turning the dial on the front of the sewing machine or pressing the button for the widest stitch.

3. Place the fabric under the presser foot on the machine at the place where the desired bunched look starts.

4. Put the presser foot down and run the cloth through the sewing machine until it reaches the end of the bunched look area.

5. Pull the cloth out of the machine, pulling a 3-inch lead on the threads. Cut both the upper thread and the bobbin thread with scissors.

6. Hold the fabric in the middle of the stitch with your left hand. With your right hand, pull gently on the bobbin thread, which is the thread on the wrong side of the fabric, until the fabric starts to bunch up where your left hand is holding the stitch.

7. Reverse the hold you have on the fabric by placing your right hand on the stitch and pull the bobbin thread on the other side of the stitch in the same gentle manner as on the other side until the left side of the stitch is bunched up as well.

8. Tug on the bottom threads until the bunched up look you desire is made. Once you have reached your chosen style, tie the upper thread and the bobbin thread on each side of the stitch to keep the fabric bunched.

Tips & Warnings

• Leave a 1-inch section unbunched for attaching the fabric to the project.

• Hem any edges before bunching, as the bunched fabric is hard to hem later on.

References

• A Pretty Cool Life; How to Make a Ruffle
• What the Craft; How to Make a Ruffle Hem