If you are struggling to gather your fabric using traditional gathering methods then this is for you. Gathering with cord using a zig-zag stitch is great for thick fabrics and difficult fabrics such as sewing tulle.
Gathering with Cord Tutorial
When to Use Gathering with Cord
Gathering using a cord and a zig-zag is best for thick fabrics and tulle. It gives great results in fabrics that can't be gathered using the traditional machine method using long basting stitches.
Supplies for Gathering with Cord
- CORD - Thin but strong cord or string such as crochet thread. Dental floss also works amazingly well on difficult fabrics due to its slippery nature.
- MACHINE - Sewing machine with a zig-zag function
- PROJECT - Your fabric or sewing project
More Articles On Gathering
- How to gather by machine
- How to gather by hand
- Shirring (sewing with elastic thread)
- Gathering with a serger
- How to sew ruching
- Gathering with cord
- Gathering with elastic
- How to gather tulle
- Gathering foot
- Gathering Fabric
- Ruffler
Gathering with Cord, Step by Step Tutorial
When trying to gather thicker fabrics, sewing the usual way of 2 rows of long stitches and then pulling the bobbin threads just doesn't work. More often than not, the threads will break as you try and pull them through thick or difficult fabrics.
Gathering with cord works better as the cord won't break when pulled, and it is usually much faster.
Here are the steps to gathering with cord:
Step 1 - Zig-zag
Cut your cord at least 4 inches (10cm) longer than your fabric to be gathered.
Set your machine on a very wide zig-zag stitch. I like to use a width of 5.0 or 6.0 and a length of 3.0. Leaving a tail of 2 inches (5cm), start zig-zagging over the floss.
Extra Tips for the Zig-Zag
- Make sure you are stitching inside the seam allowance.
- Be extra careful not to catch the cord in your stitches and not to pull too hard. You don’t want the floss pulling through the end stitches.
- Leave a long tail at the end also.
Step 2 - Pull the thread
Secure one end by winding the cord in a figure-8 around a pin. Then gently pull the cord. Knot the other end and trim the threads. Distribute the gathers evenly.
Step 3 - Stitch in place
To hold the gathers in place, stitch over them with a straight stitch, backstitching at either end. Then remove your cord.
If some of the cord has been caught up in your straight stitching don't worry. It will be hidden in the seam allowance anyway.
TRY THIS TECHNIQUE ON: The Tutu Dress Sewing Pattern
Easy wasn’t it? Do you have any extra tips or ideas for us? Share below. We’d love to learn from you.
Gathering with Cord
Tools
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
Materials
- Thin Cord Thin crochet cord, dental floss or other smooth thin cord.
Instructions
- Cut your cord 4 inches (10cm) longer than the edge to be gathered.
- Set the sewing machine on a wide zig-zag stitch with a medium length. (Suggested - W5 L3)
- Leave a tail of 2 inches and zig-zag over the cord. Ensure you don't catch the cord in any of the zig-zag stitches.
- Secure one end with winding the tail around a pin. Gently pull the cord through the zig-zag tunnel to start gathering.
- Secure the gathering by stitching over the gathers.
Debra--Ann Brown
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