Prepping Material
In this section we will prepare our fabric for gathering. To practice your stroke gathers you will create a mock cuff. To practice your rolled-whip gathers you will create a mock ruffle attached to a band. You will cut the fabric and do some simple hemming to prepare the pieces for gathering.
Cutting Dimensions and Sewing Prep For Sample Pieces
***To cut out sample pieces please watch video below “Sample Pieces and How to Cut Them Out” for instructions on how to measure along your fabric and pull threads to cut perfectly square pieces.***
Stroke Gathers:
Cut 1 mock shirt sleeve: 4 X 17.25 inches / 10 cm X 44 cm. For sewing instructions see video below: “Prep Sample Sleeve For Gathering” in the “Stroke Gathers” Section.
Cut 1 mock shirt cuff: 5.5 X 8 inches / 14 cm X 20 cm. For sewing instructions see video below “Prepping Cuff For Attachment to Gathered Section.”
Rolled-Whipped Gathers:
Cut 1 band to attach to ruffle: 3 inches X 10 inches / 7.5 cm X 25 cm. In preparation, hem on three sides. For hemming instruction see video “Hemming/Felling” in “Hand Sewing Foundations” section. The longer hemmed edge is where the ruffle will be attached.
Cut 1 ruffle: 2 inches X 20 inches / 5 cm X 50 cm. In preparation, roll a hem on three sides. For rolled hem instruction see video “Rolled Hems” in “Hand Sewing Foundations” section. The long raw edge will be turned into a ruffle.
A note about the dimensions: When doing any sort of gathering the look you get is dependent upon the ratio of the width of the fabric you have to the width of the section you gather the piece down into. The above ratios are all a 2:1, meaning the fabric that will become the ruffle is twice the width as the section it is being gathered to. A 2:1 ratio is not always what is needed for the design. I would encourage you to play with this and make yourself two more samples. One with a 1.5:1 ratio and another with a 3:1 ratio for your reference.
Sample Pieces and How to Cut Them Out
Prepping Cuff For Attachment To Gathered Section: