36
1540
1530
1520
1540
1530
1520
Utility stitches and practical sewing
Gathering with the straight stitch
Using a straight stitch, you can gather sleeves, 
skirts and valances with a stitch length of 6 
mm. To ensure consistent gathering you should 
sew two or three rows of gathering.
•  Mark the fi rst line on the right side of the 
fabric and sew along it. Allow the threads to 
extend approx. 10 – 20 cm.
•  Each subsequent seam can be sewn one 
presser foot width from the last.
•  Gather the piece of fabric by pulling the 
bobbin thread. You determine the amount of 
gather by how much you pull the thread.
•  Finally, the thread ends are knotted to 
secure the gather.
Gathering with elastic thread
Sleeve and waist seams can be gathered by 
sewing over an elastic thread. 
•  Mark the fi rst gathering seam on the 
reverse side of the fabric.
•  Sew a few stitches using stitch M/F. Leave 
the needle in the fabric. The needle must 
be in the center of the presser foot. Raise 
the presser foot and lay the elastic thread 
around the needle.
•  Lower the presser foot and sew a few 
stitches. Then pull the elastic thread evenly 
at both ends.
•  Determine the amount of gather by the 
amount you pull the threads.
•  The gather can also be altered after sewing 
by pulling the ends of the elastic threads.
•  Finally, knot the threads and elastic.
Tip: The cording foot (special accessory) is 
particularly suitable for gathering. Due to its 
guide grooves the elastic is fed evenly during 
the sewing process.
stitch
G
E
E
0 
0 
0
6
6
6
3-5
3-5
3-5
0/1
0/1
0/1
stitch
M
F
F
5- 
5- 
5- 
Stretch
Stretch
Stretch
3-5
3-5
3-5
0/1
0/1
0/1