Another Way to Gather

This is another way to gather- as in, not the technique in this post. With this new way, a string is used instead of tension. It requires a bit of skill, but practice makes better with this one.

You'll need "gathering cord" (really, just a thin string) and fabric.

Place your fabric on the machine with the "wrong" side up, and lay your string across the length you're sewing.

Use a zig-zag stitch and carefully "jump" over the string, essentially sewing a stitch on either side of the string as you go. Do your best not to catch your string with the needle! You will want to sew the narrowest zig-zag your string will allow. Too wide of a zig-zag will cause the fabric to pucker.

Once it's sewn, go ahead and adjust your ruffles. Lock them in if you have to (simply pin or hold in place, and sew a straight stitch across).

To make it easier, try pinning your string to the "start point" and "end point" of your line (keep the string on there by wrapping it in figure eights). Just pull the string as you sew and you'll be ready to go, no adjustment necessary.

Without a doubt, the best way to utilize this method is with a five- or seven-hole multi-cord foot. Just thread the string through the center hole and use a wide zig-zag stitch. But if you don't have one, just use this method. It's very quick and only requires a little bit of concentration.