Does the thought of creating gathers make you cringe and avoid your sewing projects? Try this easy technique using crochet thread and a zigzag stitch! The stitching is easier than the traditional basting & thread-pulling technique, especially for smaller scaled projects such as doll clothing and furniture. You’ll also find it is much easier to create nice, evenly spaced ruffles, which means a greater chance your project will turn out exactly the way you hope! Try this technique for all of the ruffles in our Snug As A Bug Collection: Ruffled Bedspread & Pillow Sham pattern!
How To Gather Fabric … the Easier Way!
Supplies Needed
• Crochet thread (such as Aunt Lydia’s Classic 10 Crochet Thread)
• A project requiring gathering of fabric, such as the Snug As A Bug Collection: Ruffled Bedspread & Pillow Sham
Tools Needed
• Sewing pins
• Sewing machine
Instructions
1. Cut a piece of crochet thread at least 12 inches longer than the side of the fabric that you are going to gather. (In the example shown, we will be gathering the raw edge of the BEDSPREAD SHORT RUFFLE from the Snug As A Bug Collection: Ruffled Bedspread & Sham pattern by AptOne8.)
2. Set your sewing machine to a extra-wide (6.0) zigzag stitch (03 on this machine) with a normal stitch length (2.0).
3. Lay the crochet thread along the fabric edge you are going to gather, leaving a tail of about 6 inches of thread hanging off the end of the fabric.
4. Stitch the crochet thread to the edge of the fabric so that that zigzag stitch goes from the raw edge of the fabric over the thread (but not through the crochet thread).
5. Continue zigzagging in this manner until the entire edge to be gathered has been stitched. You should have a crochet thread tail of 6 inches or more hanging off the other end.
6. Holding on to one crochet thread tail, slide the stitched fabric along the thread to gather, taking care not to slide the fabric off of the other end of the crochet thread.
7. Pin the gathered fabric to your project, as directed in your instructions.
8. Stitch seam.
9. Gently pull the crochet thread out of the seam … and you’re done! Continue with your project as directed.
Interested in making furniture for your doll? Check out our AptOne8 PVC doll furniture plans…
Matilda’s Closet and AptOne8 are not affiliated with American Girl® or Mattel®. No endorsement is implied.
Thank you! I did this on a dress ruffle which was giving me fits. Worked beautifully! I did make the mistake of sewing the thread on the right side instead of the wrong side, which made the step of sewing it to the bottom of the dress a little more tricky. 🙂
Awesome tip, will be trying that next time I have to gather. Marian Covell
Kristin, thank you so much for dreading to gather material. LOL~~!!! I never once thought of using crochet thread to help with making gathering. It looks so easy!!!! but sometimes, for me anyway, the easiest things to do, can be the hardest!!! Thanks again!!!! Pat Horton
Another practical, easy technique, Kristin. Thank you and I am looking forward to trying it.
Judy
Thanks Judy! I am one of those people who dreads gathering and this technique makes it SO much easier. Have fun with it! 🙂