Gathering knits can be a bit tricky, but today I'm going to share with you a few tips to learn how to gather knit fabric successfully. You'll learn to gather evenly and avoid stretching out the bodice when gathering knits.

How to Gather Knit Fabric

Gathering Step 1: Matching the Skirt to the Bodice

For this tutorial on how to gather knit fabric, I'm using the Gloria dress pattern in size 18 months. I've assembled the bodice and skirt separately and am ready to gather the knit skirt to match the bodice.

First, take your skirt and bodice and mark them both into quarters. Use the side seams as two of the marks, and then find the middle of the front and back. I used a Frixion pen to mark the fabric at the midpoints of each. When I sew bigger sizes, I tend to divide my bodice and skirt into eigths. That way, it's easier to divide the gathers evenly.

Gathers Step 2: Sewing Basting Stitches to Gather With Your Sewing Machine

After finding the midpoints, set your sewing machine to a basting length. Then turn the tension all the way up.

I've found the most even gathers come from sewing two or three rows of basting stitches. I usually do two rows.

Sew the first at 1/4" seam allowance and the other at 1/2" or 5/8" depending on the seam allowance called for in the pattern. I sew one row inside the seam allowance used to attach the skirt and one row outside of it.

Pull on your bobbin threads to make gathers. I like to over-gather to start with. I started sewing on the side seam on this skirt. This helps push most of the gathers towards the far side seam.

Turn your skirt inside out and place your bodice right side out inside of it. First, match up one side seam and work your way around matching each of the quarter marks. After matching each quarter mark with the skirt gathered to match the bodice width, spread your gathers evenly.

Then pin/clip your bodice to your skirt all the way around. As you can see, I use a lot of clips. I have found it's better to overpin/clip to keep the gathers even.

Then (after turning the tension back to normal on your sewing machine), baste the skirt and bodice together with a long stitch length. I will be serging it on in the end, but I find that my gathers stay much more even and I avoid tucks if I baste the skirt on first.

Gathers Step 3: Serging the Final Product After Gathering

After the skirt is basted on, use either your serger or a stretch stitch on your machine to attach the skirt. I find that using a walking foot and a lower-pressure foot tension helps me ensure I am not stretching the bodice. This can cause ripples. Also, keeping the bodice on the bottom helps it feed more evenly. Then remove your visible basting stitches. After that, you can remove the ones in the seam allowance if you also wish.

Before removing basting stitches:

After removing basting stitches

Press your skirt and bodice seam towards the bodice. After that, finish assembling your garment according to the directions in the pattern. I hope this helps you gather and attach knit skirts more easily. Now you know how to gather knit fabric! Here are a few more tutorials to help you in your fabric gathering journey:

Other Tutorials on Gathering Fabric

1. 8 Ways How to Gather Fabric: Sara goes over 8 different ways to gather fabric in this tutorial. From the single thread gathers to using multiple stitches, tight tension on your sewing machine, or a presser foot she goes over it all.
2. How to Stabilize and Gather with Clear Elastic: This tutorial gives all the info on using clear elastic to stabilize fabric. Stephanie also shows how clear elastic can be used in gathering. Specifically, she sews how to avoid basting by sewing clear elastic into your gathers.
3. How to Sew Gathered Sleeves: Put your newfound gathering skills to work here by learning how to add gathered sleeves to a regular sewing pattern.
4. Pressing: The Key to Full, Perfect Gathers: Emily goes over the importance of pressing while sewing gathers.

Knit Fabric Patterns with Gathering

We're partial to sewing patterns with knit fabric around here. At Peek-a-Boo we have a lot of options for practicing gathering fabric. You can find them all HERE.

Thank you for joining us today to further your sewing knowledge and learn how to gather knit fabric. Come back soon! Happy sewing!