Step One: Get to Know Your Sewing Machine
Having a basic understanding of how your sewing machine operates is a fundamental part of successfully gathering your fabric. Take the time to consult your machine’s user manual and experiment with different types of stitches before continuing. Not all sewing machines are designed to gather fabric, so familiarize yourself with the type and model of your machine before you begin.
Step Two: Determine Your Fabric
The type of fabric you are working with will have a major impact on the outcome of your project. Different fabrics, such as silk, cotton, and linen, will require various stitch and tension settings on the machine. To ensure successful gathering, choose a fabric that will be amenable to the technique. Cotton and polyester blends as well as lightweight jerseys work best as they are lighter and more flexible fabrics.
Step Three: Prepare Your Fabric and Thread
Before you can begin gathering, you need to prepare your fabric. Start by ironing your chosen fabric to get rid of any wrinkles, and then mark where the stitch lines will be with a fabric marker or tailor’s chalk. Once you’ve done this, you can thread your machine with the appropriate thread and bobbin for your fabric. Choose a stronger type of thread to avoid breakage.
Step Four: Adjust Your Sewing Machine Settings
Adjust your machine’s stitch length, width and tension to the appropriate settings. Depending on the type of fabric and stitch you’re using, you may need longer stitch lengths, such as 4.0 mm. Additionally, increase the tension to guarantee that the stitching stays put when you gather the fabric. Check with your machine’s user manual to find the best settings.
Step Five: Start Gathering
Once you’ve adjusted the settings on your sewing machine, you are ready to start gathering your fabric. Start by sewing a line of stitches along the marked line you have drawn. Once this is complete, pull on the bobbin thread at the edge of the fabric, and the gathers will appear. If the amount of gathers is not enough, you can let out the bobbin thread further and continue to gather.
Step Six: Secure Gathers
The last step in gathering is to secure the gathers. You can do this by sewing a line of stitches along each side of the gathering stitches. Make sure to tighten the tension on the machine to keep the gathers in place. Additionally, you can tie a double knot around the gather threads and snip off the excess fabric.
Advanced Stitches and Techniques
For further gathering techniques, try using more complex stitches, such as zig-zag or triple zig-zag, instead of straight stitches. Additionally, try utilizing curved gathering. This technique results in a different type of gathering as it uses curved stitch lines instead of straight. This creates a more rounded and aesthetically pleasing effect on the finished product.
Troubleshooting
In the event that you have problems gathering your fabric, troubleshoot the issue. Start by inspecting your thread and bobbin to make sure they are in working order. Additionally, be sure that your chosen fabric is appropriate for the technique. If all else fails, consult a sewing expert or machine repair technician for assistance.
Pressing Your Fabric
After you’ve completed your gathering project, there are a few steps you should take to make sure it stays in place. Start by pressing your fabric with an iron to remove any creases caused by the stitching. Set the iron to a medium-hot setting and use a pressing cloth in between the iron and the gathered fabric. Once you’ve done this, you can sew your fabric into its desired shape.
Working with Other Sewing Techniques
Gathering fabric is often used in combination with other techniques, such as pleating and smocking. To combine these techniques, simply sew gather stitches where you want the pleats and smocking stitches to appear. Then, follow the instructions outlined above to create the necessary gathers. Finally, use a separate line of stitching to secure the pleats.
