How to Sew a Gathering Stitch

Gathering stitches are used as simple ways to create ruffles in fabric. They can be used in skirts or sleeves to help create a look of volume in a garment. Ruffles can vary in their appearance, and if creating a gathered ruffle from scratch, the amount of fabric used can have a great deal of impact. One and a half times your fabric will give a bouncy, fun look, but if you desire a tight, heavier ruffle, allot twice as much fabric as you would need. Regardless of the desired look, a gathering stitch is a basic and key part of sewing.

Things You'll Need

• Sewing machine

Instructions

1. Set your sewing machine to a wide stitch width to create a machine-basted stitch.

2. 

   Sew one line of stitches 5/8-inch away from the edge of the fabric, making sure to back stitch at the beginning and leave a 3-inch length of thread at the end.

3. 

   Stitch a second line 1/4-inch away from the fabric's edge, also making sure to back stitch at the beginning and leave a 3-inch length of thread at the end.

4. 

   Take two of the strands of fabric, the top thread from each stitching line, and tug on them gently. Hold the fabric still while doing this.

5. 

   Distribute your gathering evenly across your fabric.

6. When you are satisfied with your gathering stitch, add a third stitching line 5/8-inch from the edge. This will finish your gathering stitch and ensure the gathering does not spread.

Tips & Warnings

• Be gentle when pulling the thread. Never force the fabric, or your thread will snap.

• Never skip that second gathering stitch. It will help preserve the work you did if one of stitches snap.