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How to sew gathers

Pinny, a SewSift mascot

Even fullness into a seam.

How-toBeginner15 minutes
ResearchedSewSift editorialChecked 1 Nov 2026

Step by step

  1. Set the longest stitch length.
  2. Sew two rows of basting.
  3. Wind the threads in a figure eight round a pin at one end.
  4. Pull the bobbin threads and distribute gathers evenly before attaching.

Watch

How to Gather Fabric - 3 Ways! Sewing for Beginners Episode 9 (5:01)
By Rosery Apparel · Open on YouTube

Chosen from its title and channel: a 5-minute video from Rosery Apparel on the same topic as this guide. Embedded from YouTube with credit; we don't host it. It only loads when you press play.

All guides ›Shaping: darts, gathers and pleats

Sources

All checked 1 November 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.

  1. Simplicity: Sew two-row gathers
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Researched, sources cited

Specs, manuals, maker pages and owner reports, each with a checked date.

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