| Gathering is the sewing technique used for many | | | | - Evenly distribute the gathering, and finish sewing |
| applications in different sewing projects. Ruffles are | | | | your seam according to directions. |
| an example of gathered fabric, as are puffy sleeve | | | | For very thin or slippery fabrics, you may need to |
| caps. Gathering is accomplished by first applying long | | | | use a slightly smaller stitch length to keep your |
| stitches, called basting, and gently pulling up on the | | | | stitches smooth. Always mark your patterns, as you |
| threads to gather the fabric. | | | | will need to line up the gathered area with particular |
| - To machine baste, set your sewing machine to its | | | | areas of another piece of your garment. If you don't |
| longest available stitch length. | | | | have it marked, you won't know where to match up |
| - Stitch this basting stitch along where your seam line | | | | the pieces. |
| will be, on most commercial patterns 5/8 inch from | | | | When you're gathering a small area, you can wrap |
| the fabric edge. | | | | one end of the thread around a pin to keep it |
| - Stitch again 1/4 of an inch inside the seam | | | | anchored in place and prevent the thread from being |
| allowance. | | | | pulled totally out of your sewing piece. |
| - Two lines of stitching will keep your gathering more | | | | Machine gathering is a technique that you'll use in |
| even, and hold your gather in case one thread | | | | many sewing patterns. Practice it a few times on |
| breaks. This is especially important on long gathering | | | | fabric scraps until you're comfortable with the |
| lengths such as waistline areas. | | | | technique, and you're on your way to more |
| - Gently pull up on one thread to gather the material. | | | | successful sewing projects. |