Gathering Fabric Tutorial

Want an easy way to gather fabric without using a basting stitch?  I have a simple technique that will create perfect gathers every time, and there is no chance of breaking the threads.

First, decide where you want your gathers.  I wanted to make a gathered sash for a skirt, so I chose to gather both edges.  I started about 1" in from the edge.  You'll need some DMC floss or cording.  For this demonstration, I'm using floss.  The darker color shows up better in pictures.

Place your floss down on the fabric as shown.  Make sure you leave a bit of a tail.  Your floss should line up in the middle of your presser foot.  You'll set your machine to zigzag.  You'll want a wide stitch.  The idea is to stitch over the floss.  DO NOT stitch the floss.  It will not gather if you catch the floss.  Stitch carefully.

Use the hand wheel to for the first couple of stitches just to be sure you do not catch the floss.

Stitch the length of the fabric zigzagging over the floss until you reach the end.  Stop with your needle in the down position.  Raise the presser foot and pivot the fabric as shown.

You will now fold your floss around so it's facing the other direction.  Lower the presser foot again over the floss so it's right in the middle of your foot as shown.

Again, stitch all the way to the end of the fabric leaving a tail at the end.  This picture shows both ends.

Now simply grab the tails and pull to gather the fabric to your required thickness.

I wanted it as tight as possible, so I gathered until I couldn't pull anymore.

Be sure to tie off your floss at the end so it doesn't unravel.

And there you have it.  Easy, easy gathers.  Feel free to ask questions if something is confusing.

Angela

More of Robbie's room.

Robbie's old changing table is still in his room, and they've always held 5 of these baskets.  I've kept it in there, because the baskets are great organizers for his small toys like trucks, Legos, and action figures.  But since we are redoing his room, these liners just don't work anymore.  So yesterday I sat down and made some more.  I was surprised at how easy they were.

The picture above is the before, and here is the after:

I chose not to add the tie.  I thought it looked more boyish without.  And this is his changing table/toy organizer:

The 5th basket used to sit on the very top and housed all his baby blankets.  It now sits on the floor and is used as a trash can.

I'll post a tutorial on this soon, because they were super easy to make.  I used the old liners as a pattern.  It is basically one long strip running from one side to the other, then two smaller pieces that attach to the other sides.  I had all 5 done in less than an hour yesterday including cutting the fabric.

Happy Tuesday.
Angela

Go Fish Quilt Finished!

I love the colors in this quilt.  I finally decided on the lime green binding.  I had some help from some great women at the fabric store.  They also helped me choose my backing.

It's hard to see in the picture, but it looks like little bubbles.  They didn't have enough of the fabric though, so I wound up piecing the back.  Here's a pic.

I took these pictures outside, because our weather has been fantastic.  Notice Gabby in the shot?  If I go outside, she is going to be right under my feet.  And she was having nothing of my taking these pictures without her.  I chose to quilt it with a dark blue thread by hand and just around the blocks.  The prints were so busy, I didn't want a whole lot going on with the quilting.  I wanted it very subtle.

I am finally finished and can work on some other projects that have gone by the wayside.  I am almost finished with my hutch.  I have attached all the shelves, filled the holes with wood putty, and now it just waits for paint.  I'll be painting today and should have pictures later in the week.

Happy Tuesday.

Angela