How To Perfectly Gather Skirts and Ruffles

This post builds on my previous posts showing how to sew basting stitches and how to gather fabric with basting stitches. Now I am going to share my favorite method of gathering skirts and ruffles so your final results look stunning.

The reason that gathering skirts and skirts ruffles can be particularly challenging is that they are sewn in the round instead of in a straight line, which can make it more difficult to get your gathers evenly distributed. Also depending on the width of your skirt or ruffle, the amount of fabric can get quite unwieldy.

Many people gather their skirts by sewing 1-2 rows of basting stitches around the entire circumference of the skirt, starting and stopping at the same side seam. While there is nothing wrong with this method , I personally find that it makes it more difficult to get the gathers evenly distributed around the skirt.

Instead of sewing my stitches all the way around in one go, I prefer to divide and gather the skirt or ruffle into quarters using the method described below because I find I it makes gathering large skirts more manageable, and I find my gathers don't slide out of place as easily,l.

The method:

• Beginning with the front of the skirt or ruffle, sew two rows of basting stitches along the top, starting at one side seam and stopping at the other. Space your rows of basting stitches 1/4 inch apart (this post will explain how to space your rows according to your seam allowance)y. Leave long tails of thread a the beginning and end of of each row of stitches.

• Turn the skirt over and sew another two rows of basting stitches from side seam to side seam on the back skirt (or ruffle)

• Find the center front and center back by laying the slide seams of the skirt on top of each other and pulling out the centers of the front and back as shown. Mark the center from and center back with a removable marking tool

• Find the center from and center back of whatever you are attaching your skirt or ruffle to (I show a bodice below but the principle is the same if you are attaching a ruffle to a skirt)

• Clip or pin the skirt and bodice right sides together at the side seams, center front, and center back

• Starting with the front of the skirt, find the end of one set of basting stitches at the side seam and gently pull on the bobbin threada to gather the skirt from side seam to the center. Place additional pins or clips to hold the gathers in place. You have now gathered one quarter of the skirt

• Find the next set of basting threads on the opposite side seam and once again gather that quarter of the skirt from side seam to center and clip in place.

• You have now gathered the front of the skirt to the same size as the front bodice.

• Turn the skirt over and repeat this process to gather the back skirt.

• All four quarter of the skirt are now gathered

• Take your project to your sewing machine and sew to attach by stitching between your two rows of basting stitches, adjusting the gathers as you sew make sure they stay nice and evenly

-Gently pull on the bobbin threads of your basting stitches to remove them. Finish the seam using your preferred method (serger, zigzag stitch, etc...)

-Turn your project right side out and admire your beautiful gathers!

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