How To Get Professional Skirt or Ruffle Gathers

Have you ever struggled with getting the perfect gathering method on a dress or ruffle? Well, I am here to help! Getting a professional look to every gathered skirt on a dress, or ruffles, is simple as pie! Lets get started! Grab your pre-made bodice and skirt. This example uses Opal, but the process is the same for any garment.

Gathering the Skirt

Start with your skirt by sewing a gathering stitch (long stitch) 1″ down from the top raw edge of the skirt. Next, sew a second gathering stitch 1/4″ down from the top raw edge of the skirt.

Next, grab both of the bobbin threads (threads on the wrong side of the skirt). And pull them at the same time to gather your skirt the width of the bodice.

Once you have the skirt gathered to the width of the bodice, pull taut on the bottom hem of the skirt. At the same time pull on the top raw edge of the skirt. Pulling taut on these two areas at the same time will straighten out any gather bubbles in-between the gathering stitch lines.

Attaching the Skirt to the Bodice

Place your gathered skirt and bodice with right sides together. Pin in place to secure. Next, sew down from the top raw edge of the skirt 1/2″ (this is the seam allowance used by most seamstresses. If the seam allowance is larger or smaller you will need to adjust your gathering stitch lines according to the seam allowance given by the pattern company. You want your seam allowance to fall in-between the gathering stitch lines.) 

Trim off half of the seam allowance and serge or zig zag stitch for a professional look. Now, with wrong sides of the bodice facing out, remove the tightened bobbin thread on the wrong side of the skirt.

Next, turn your garment right side out and remove the loose exposed stitch from the front of the garment.

Now iron that skirt seam up and flat and voila!!!! You have now created PERFECT gathers!! You are now ready to sell or wear those masterpieces!!! I hope these tips and tricks are helpful! Stay tuned for more tips and tricks to come from Vintage Little Lady!! MUAH!

XOXO,