How To Sew Gores

Gores can be added to skirt slits to make the skirt more modest.

A gore is a triangular-shaped piece of fabric sewn into a slit or seam. Gores add body to fabric and can also transform clothing that is restrictive into garments that are quite comfortable. They can also be added to skirt slits to make a skirt more modest. Gores were used extensively in the Renaissance period and are often used today to make period clothing. They are also occasionally seen in more modern styles of clothing, particularly in skirts.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Clothing or fabric to insert the gore
• Fabric for gore (about 1/4 yard)
• Needle
• Straight pins
• String
• Thread

Instructions

1. Cut a slit into the fabric where you wish to insert the gore. If the slit is already in the fabric or clothing, skip this step.

2. Tie the string onto a straight pin. Secure the pin on the piece of fabric that you wish to use as the gore.

3. Measure the string so that it is equal to the length of the slit in the clothing or fabric.

4. Using the string as a guide, mark the edges and bottom of the gore. The width of the gore can vary according to style and taste. The gore should be in the shape of a triangle. Cut out the gore piece, making sure to add a seam allowance of at least 5/8 inch.

5. Place one straight edge of the gore to one side of the slit. The fabric should have the right sides facing together.

6. Sew the gore in place, starting very close to the top of the slit and gradually increasing the distance from the edge of the slit until it is 5/8 inch. The gore piece should have a consistent 5/8-inch seam allowance while the slit piece should have a gradual increase in seam allowance. If you are not an experienced sewer, make a mark with a fabric pencil at the bottom of the slit piece that is 5/8 inch from the edge of the slit. Use a ruler to draw a line from the top of the slit to the mark at the bottom of the slit. Draw a line on the gore piece 5/8 inch from the edge. Match the line on the gore piece with the line on the slit piece and pin in place. Sew along this line.

7. Line up the remaining gore edge with the remaining slit edge. Sew in place using the same process in the step above.

8. Sew along the seam allowance with a zigzag stitch to finish the seam.

9. Iron down the seam allowance and the gore.

References

• How to Sew a Gore into a Fabric Slit; Tasha Dandelion Kelly
• The Renaissance Tailor: Gores, Gussets and Inserts
• The Fabric of My Life: Alysaundre's Perfectly Pointed Gore Tutorial