Material and Supplies
The following is a list of the materials and supplies you will need to create a stroke gather sample and a whipped gather sample (see “Prepping Materials” for exact dimensions):
Textiles For Stroke Gathers
1/2 yard of 58” wide lightweight to medium weight linen. (You can also practice these techniques with lightweight modern muslin.)
Stroke gathers are often used to gather and control fabric on light weight to heavy weight linen. For the purposes of creating a sample I would recommend a light to medium weight linen. Here are some places to order linen from:
Zadie Grossman Lightweight Linen
Textiles For Whipped Gathers
1/2 yard of 58” wide lightweight linen or cotton. (You can also practice these techniques with lightweight modern muslin.)
Whipped gathers are often done on lightweight linen and cotton. For the purposes of creating a sample I would recommend a lightweight linen or cotton. Here are two good options:
Thread
Stroke Gathers: Match the weight of your linen thread to your linen textile. If you are sewing with a medium weight linen textile I would suggest a 60/2 or 80/2 (lighter weight) linen thread from Burnley and Trowbridge. Also get beeswax to coat your linen thread. https://burnleyandtrowbridge.com/collections/threads
Whipped Gathers: When I do whipped gathers using a lightweight linen or cotton I prefer to use a lightweight silk thread. It is strong so it can hold up to the strain of being tugged on and it is fine enough that it looks beautiful sewn through lightweight textiles. I love Guterman silk thread. You can get it here.
Needles
I like Bohin needles. It is worth it to get nice needles. Sharps and embroidery needles are a good length for most projects. Quilters needles are very short and are good for very fine projects. The number associated with the needle indicates its girth. The larger the number the finer the needle. Here is a good assortment of Bohin needles to choose from. Avoid darning needles, tapestry and beading needles, they are too long or too blunt.
Stroke Gathers: I would recommend a size 9 or 10 sharp, appliqué or embroidery needle.
Whipped Gathers: Since you will be stitching with a finer fabric I would suggest a size 10-12 sharp, appliqué or embroidery needle (the higher the number the finer the girth).
Pins
I am a big proponent of using super fine dressmakers pins that are 1 1/4” long. JoAnns has them here, but my favorite are Iris pins, you can get them here.
Scissors
Embroidery Scissors: A tiny, sharp pair of embroidery scissors is a must. You can get these from JoAnns. However, my current favorite (and the pair I am using in the workshop) are these from William Whiteley and Sons.
Dressmakers Scissors: 8-10 inch (20 cm to 25 cm) sharp, scissors to cut out fabric.I am using these (they also sell left handed scissors).
Tape Measure
Pencil
Thimble
You may have one in your stash or you can find them at antique stores or on etsy. Do not buy a one size fits all. It should fit on the middle finger of your dominate hand. Not too tight but not too loose it falls off. These are amazing from Sajou and are good for a wish list.