In sewing terms, what does gathering mean?

Question

what does gathering mean and how do you do it? thanks

Answer 1

In addition to the "pull the bobbin thread on several lines of straight stitching" method of gathering, you can also:

1)  zigzag over a doubled thread or heavy thread, then pull that heavier thread to gather, or

2) you can stitch to very lightweight elastic while stretching the elastic (clear polyurethane elastic is common for this use), or

3) handwind a bobbin of elastic thread with no tension on the thread, then use it to sew several parallel rows of stitching; steam and the elastic contracts (commonly used for "elastic smocking") or

4) do "ease plus" stitching -- set up your machine for a long straight stitch, and start sewing.  Park your left thumb firmly behind the presser foot and allow the fabric to pile up against your thumb -- release the fabric only when you can't hold any more, then return to holding back the fabric (this is also called "crowding" and is very useful for preparing a sleeve cap for setting.)  or

5) serge along the edge of the fabric with the differential set to "gather" (markings will vary on sergers).  If this isn't gathered enough, you can easily run a tapestry (blunt) needle threaded with heavy thread into the serging and pull up that thread.  or

6) use a ruffler attachment on the sewing machine -- these are what we often used back in the days of straight stitch only machines, but they made pretty nice, though perhaps excessively regular, gathers on light to medium weight fabrics.  Most rufflers will fit any low shank machine.

  

Answer 2

Gathering is making the material you are working on pulled together into many little pleats, making it about half its original size.

The way to do this is (by machine) set the stitching to largest you can and give plenty of thread at the beginning.  Machine the area in a straight line.  Cut the thread leaving yourself several inches free. Then gently pull the thread and material to make it bunch up to the required sizing, without the thread slipping out.

Of course you can also do this by hand - just take large running stitches and do the same.

Edit - just returned to the question and see Anatasia has added, what I should have, as it was also what I was always taught: to make two lines of stitching, for safety's sake.  Nothing is worse than try to pull the gathers together and find your one of stitching has broken!

Answer 3

amigma is right . the onle thing i recommend though is stitch two parallel lines and pull the threads together . it prrevents breakage and and the gathers are well settled and even

Answer 4

I absolutely agree with Anigma. That is what it is and how to do it. Cant get better than that except having someone else do it for you.