G is for Gathers

 Illustration from my 1954 Singer Sewing Book

Gathering is without a doubt one of my favourite sewing techniques.  It's super easy and can be used in so many ways!

Here's some eye candy examples of gathering (all of these vintage pattern cover images are from the Vintage Pattern Wiki).

1930s:

I love both of these patterns.  You can see the subtle yoke gathering in Hollywood 1930 but I really love Advance 1892 that has gathering along the centre seam but also on the waist sides. Super elegant!

1940s:

Vogue 7999 shows gathered sleeves and a gathered bodice to skirt and Simplicity 2484 is a 1940s staple, the peasant blouse.

1950s:

The 1950s is definitely the decade that inspired gathering to become an artform.  Just look at Advance 8270 (LOVE this silhouette) and Simplicity 3135 has such lovely sleeve and neckline gathers.

Here's some more gathering goodness from my 1954 Singer Sewing Book:

Some great examples of shirring (which is just two or more rows of gathers to achieve a decorative effect).  I love all of these but perhaps my favourite is the evening coat with the shirred sleeves.

I use gathers a lot in my own sewing, here's a few examples from different vintage sewing patterns:

My 1939 'Royal Wedding' dress from McCall 3554; My 1940 McCall 3638 dress

 My 'Midcentury Madness' dress from Style Print 1283; My 'Tiptoe through the Tulips' dress from Simplicity 4209

Resources
Here are some of my favourite gathering technique resources:

• Tasia from Sewaholic has several great gathering tutorials including gathering an edge using machine stitches and using a neat trick to secure gathers using a pin.

• The Coletterie blog has a fantastic tutorial on gathering including the tip to use three rows of gathers instead of two!

• Make It and Love it has a helpful tutorial on shirring and smocking

• Gertie put together a great 2-part tutorial on adding shirring to a bodice back (part 1 and part 2)

Are you a fan of gathers?