Card 29 · Dressmaking
Gathers that shape sleeves and skirts.
Gathering ease is fabric stitched to create gathers. It helps shape sleeves, skirts and collars. A basting stitch is used to gather fabric on a sewing machine.
Try it!
☐ Set the machine to 0.5 tension and 4–5 stitch length.
☐ Stitch 2 rows of basting stitch, 0.5cm apart.
☐ Tie the thread ends together on 1 side only.
☐ Gently pull the bottom threads to create the gathers.
Top tip: Add ease to the top of sleeves between the notches. Pin the sleeve in place before tightening the gathers to fit. Stretchy garments may not need ease.
