There are two ways to gather the top of the skirt: You can weave a thread through the top of the skirt, then pull it into the gathers, or you can machine sew a loose stitch and pull the skirt into a gather. I prefer to use the machine, since I already have the machine set up and ready to go. I set my Singer machine on a 4 or 5 setting in order to gather fabric.
Photos 1 and 2: Those who are new to sewing may want to mark a line along the top edge of the skirt to follow when sewing the line where the skirt will be gathered.
Photo 3: Pink thread was used to visually demonstrate what the stitches will look like. Allow about 3/8″ on either side of skirt.
1. Draw a Line to Follow with Your Sewing Machine
2. The Guideline for Sewing
3. Leave 3/8" on Either Side of Skirt
Begin gathering the skirt by pulling on one of the threads. I usually reverse stitch when I begin the gathering line so that I don’t accidentally pull the thread completely out of the fabric. For those who have never gathered fabric before, gently tug on the bobbin thread (light pink in the photo) and gently slide the fabric into a gather.
4. Gently Tug on the Bobbin Thread
5. Slide the Fabric into Gathers
Set the skirt aside and prepare to sew the darts on the bodice in Step 4.