Gathering Made Easy With Clear Elastic!! Easy and Quick SEWING Tutorial!

[@emmareadshaw]

Would it be best to attach the elastic to the wrong side of the fabric?

[@sublenasimpson8822]

This is exactly what I was looking for and needed to complete an alteration I started on a dress of mine. Thank you so much!!

[@eloiseezra5194]

You are so welcome!

[@Angela-pi6zc]

Thank you for a less frustrating and less risk of thread failure solution.

[@hibaqf2291]

this was literally the best tutorial I have ever seen in my entire life on gathering with elastic! I never thought to do quarter points before and I always get annoyed when it gathers a little unequally - not anymore! also thanks for not using big words and showing us everything you were doing step by step! appreciate it sm

[@clothingalterations]

Yes that's easiest way. I like your comment.

[@eloiseezra5194]

Thank you!!! I’m so glad it was helpful!!

[@airiannawilliams9040]

Thank you SO much! I have been fighting with clear elastic for months. Best tutorial ever!

[@eloiseezra5194]

You are so welcome!

[@dljrun63]

AWESOME!! /THANKS GIRL YOU JUST MADE MY LIFE MUCH EASIER. I HAVE A HUGE GATHERING PROJECT TOO 😁

[@eloiseezra5194]

You are so welcome!

[@bekesize]

Awesome! Amazing! Brilliant! Thank you so much for this! I’ve always been leary of gathering! Your directions are well explained, clearly demonstrated and so smart!

[@SewYours]

Um....this is fantastic! I loved gathered garments too I just hate the gathering process. This is going to make it so much easier. Thanks!

[@eloiseezra5194]

Yes!!! It makes everything so much easier!

[@erinopaski308]

Maybe a silly question, but when you go to serge the two pieces together, are you serging over the elastic? That doesn’t make sense. But if you don’t, won’t the elastic show on the outside of since it was sewn on the right side? Hope that makes sense

[@eloiseezra5194]

I use 1/4in elastic so when I serger I encase the elastic in the seam allowance ❤️

[@rebclout]

I’m still confused on this point. I want to make this dress badly but I don’t get what happens to the elastic once you sew it? 😩🤷🏻‍♀️

[@stephanieandco20]

@@rebclout the elastic that she is using is ¼ in. She also placed it ¼ in from the raw edge. Because her seam allowance is ⅝ at-least when it’s sewn or serges together the elastic is inside the seam allowance and does not show. I hope that helps.

[@sarahturps1384]

@@rebclout a mock up will really help.

[@lisavaughan2901]

​@@rebcloutI hoped she'd show that part also, I'm guessing she serged the 1/4 inch off above the elastic when she joined the two. I have been zigzagging my elastic right near the edge and not serging any off (I do it to the wrong side, though) and often I have to go back and remove the zigzag stitches that show. I guess at least the elastic is secured and doesn't show.

[@cindadevoe1576]

You are SO pretty. I can't wait to try this, saves tons of sewing and thread with regular gathers.

[@eloiseezra5194]

Thank you so much!

[@marlenenwaokolo2008]

OMG This is a game changer. I had never thought of that and it makes so much sense! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@eloiseezra5194]

You're so welcome!

[@annphilbeck5174]

oh my How cute I really needed this. making skirts for girls our church adopted in Kenya ! Thank you sew much. I also gave so many short tops to add gathered skirts to them.

[@eloiseezra5194]

wow that's great!! I am so glad this was helpful!

[@stephaniedrebing6121]

That is an awesome trick! So much simpler than traditional gathering!

[@eloiseezra5194]

It really is!

[@mariekevannuenen249]

Hi! I love this tutorial! I'm just wondering - If my bottom skirt consists of two separate pieces of fabric, should I connect those two first, and sew elastic over the seam, or would it be better to do a separate gathering for each piece that I then connect together as one skirt? Hope that question makes sense..

[@jgsawka]

That's brilliant! I'm gonna try this. I've always hated struggling with puckering using gathering stitches!

[@eloiseezra5194]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lyssweet2979]

Omg finally found the easy way for gathering hahaha thank you so much for the knowledge

[@eloiseezra5194]

Yay! I’m glad it was helpful!

[@ptoste1]

Amazing tip. Thank you so much 😊 ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@eloiseezra5194]

You are so welcome!

[@pamelafarrell2065]

love love this video....ty :)

[@eloiseezra5194]

You are so welcome!

[@charleymurray1014]

I know this was posted 2 years ago but, this is THE BEST gathering technique I've seen the rest are difficult for me as I don't understand them however you have made it so easy for me to understand. I'm 15 and planning on starting my own business in a few years time so thank you SO much for making this video💙✨

[@eloiseezra5194]

Wow, thank you! and thats amazing!!! Great job!!!

[@charleymurray1014]

@@eloiseezra5194 thank you and Ur welcome 💙

[@jacquelinehorton9983]

How fantastic is this. What size and sort of needle did you use. Also tension?

[@eloiseezra5194]

I use a universal needle. you can also use a knit needle. I don't change my tension for this. Just a regular zigzag stitch.

[@estherhenry220]

Great tip, never done it that way!!

[@Liepos11]

Hi! Do l have to cut the seam allowances at the waist after attaching bodice to the gathered skirt? I don’t have a serger. Thank you so much!! I love your videos! Very helpful ❤

[@eloiseezra5194]

No need to trim with knit!

[@bernadettethomas1496]

Thank you so much, I hate doing gathering 🎉❤

[@eloiseezra5194]

Yes!! This makes it so much easier!!

[@keeleypowell6121]

Thanks so much! You always have the straightforward tips and tutorials. I'm off to attempt dresses with gathered skirts for my twin girls!

[@eloiseezra5194]

You are so welcome!

[@JessieKlein]

Fantastic tutorial!

[@eloiseezra5194]

Glad you liked it!

[@MsGorobin]

Brilliant! Thanks for sharing👌🏻

[@eloiseezra5194]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Jin04115]

Is this just for knits?

[@eloiseezra5194]

no, you can do this on woven as well.

[@meowmisu]

Thanks so much, I am definitely trying this out. Would it work to attach the elastic to the wrong side of the fabric?

[@eloiseezra5194]

Yes it will

[@anntuplin6086]

Thanks for the video. About to do my first gathering, do you allow twice as much width to be gathered to bodice width ? Thanks.

[@eloiseezra5194]

Yay! I usually do 1.5-2 times depending on how gathered I want my piece to be.

[@anntuplin6086]

@eloiseezra5194 thank-you for your reply. Must get some clear elastic.

[@wisecanadianwoman]

Thank you ❤

[@eloiseezra5194]

You're welcome 😊

[@melissahennings778]

Do you have a video on how to make the leopard and zebra dress that you stitched the elastic to?

[@cinda7234]

Hi Diana, thank you for the wonderful tutorial. By chance, the top you're wearing in the video, is that a Waterfall Raglan? I just bought the pattern and I am wondering if you have a tutorial for it? Thank you again.

[@eloiseezra5194]

Yes, it is! but I dont have one on here! I have sewn it on my IG channel though ❤️

[@TaDarling1]

Great Tutorial. I'm making a little girl's dress that has a bodice and a circle skirt. The instructions say to stretch and attach the clear elastic to the bottom of the bodice and then attach circle skirt to bodice, but based on your video, I'd love to know if you think I can stretch and attach the elastic to the larger circumference of the circle skirt and then attach it to the smaller circumference of the bodice. I would of course, first measure out the elastic to be the same length as the bodice circumference.

[@eloiseezra5194]

If it’s a circle skirt you probably won’t have to gather it too much to fit the bodice so usually they just have you add it for stability but yes, you can add it to the skirt first and then add the gathered skirt to the bodice ♥️

[@mandolinsmith3875]

What width and length do you use for the zig zag?

[@Kailenchan]

Great tutorial! Are the gathers still stretchy after attaching to the bodice?

[@eloiseezra5194]

Yes they are. The elastic gives it stability and keep the stretch!

[@gppoem3344]

Hi, what type of sewing machine needle did you use for the clear elastics, sharp or rounded? Thanks.

[@eloiseezra5194]

I usually use knit or ballpoint ♥️

[@gppoem3344]

@@eloiseezra5194 thanks 😊

[@kwildernurse]

i am so trying this. I have a huge skirt to sew on a bodice and I was dreading all that gathering. thank you

[@eloiseezra5194]

You can do it!

[@clothingalterations]

Great job. Thank you very much

[@eloiseezra5194]

Glad it was helpful!

[@chrisharrison5974]

Love this technique but wondering why you attach the elastic to the right side instead of the inside of the fabric xx

[@NYCisland]

Her fabric looks the same front and back so it's harder to see, but it should be on the inside. Once the two pieces are sewn together you won't see the elastic.

[@clothingalterations]

@@NYCisland I like your comment.

[@tarahgiles581]

What brand of clear elastic do you use? I feel like mine is so hard to stretch?

[@eloiseezra5194]

the Link to the elastic I order is in the description ❤️

[@jenmend811]

@@eloiseezra5194 I ordered some from the link you provided and whenever I stretch it, it just rolls! :(

[@CraftsByKelso]

Great tutorial! How do you know that it's going to fit since there is no way to adjust the gathers?

[@NYCisland]

It fits because the top (bodice) portion of the top is already made it to fit you. The bottom gathered piece is then gathered to match that same diameter. Once the two are sewn together, the bottom (larger piece) is the same diameter as the top piece. Another unknown is how much gathering do you want on the bottom piece. That's a matter of practice and experimenting with how much larger (in length) you make the bottom piece. The difference in length between the top and bottom piece determine how significant the gathering is. If there is a small difference, the gathers will be less noticeable.

[@emmaspif]

Genius!

[@eloiseezra5194]

Thank you!

[@joanknight2713]

can this method be used on a cotton skirt? (non stretchy)

[@eloiseezra5194]

Yes!!

[@margaretcouch235]

Thanks for sharing 🤗

[@eloiseezra5194]

Thanks for watching!

[@Fattiapples]

Are you pulling the fabric from behind while attaching the elastic? I tried on my machine but the fabric stays in place and doesn’t feed forward because I’m stretching the elastic with the fabric from the front.

[@eloiseezra5194]

No, I do not stretch it. I let the fabric glide

[@terryobi2479]

My experience… you may need to help it a bit.… pull very gently while sewing.…to help it feed

[@carmensalome]

Brilliant!!

[@thenagle5]

Genius!!

[@gunsandgaragegear601]

Could I use a basting stitch to attach if my machine doesn’t have a zig zag? I have a straight stitch machine

[@NYCisland]

Straight stitches don't stretch very well so that likely won't work. You might be able to get away with a longer stitch (basting as you said), but stretch the fabric (and the elastic) as you sew. I've done this with knits that I hemmed with a straight stitch and it works if I slightly stretch the fabric as I sew it. Once you're done, the fabric goes back to its normal size and since the stitching was done on stretch fabric, it has some room to move.

[@DukeEngMastiffs]

Wow! This is so helpful! Thank you 😊

[@eloiseezra5194]

You are so welcome!

[@bevmcmullen8758]

You are insanely beautiful and I love your tutorials. Thank you!

[@eloiseezra5194]

Thank you so much!

[@veenam.r9802]

Good evening mam. How much fabric taken for the skirt?

[@eloiseezra5194]

if you look at the description of whatever pattern you are working on. it should tell you the amount needed.

[@martha9764]

How do you do the second tier of the dress? same method?

[@eloiseezra5194]

yes! I do all of them the same way ❤️

[@kayleedee1575]

Does anyone know what pattern this dress is?

[@eloiseezra5194]

This dress is the Blythe by Made for Mermaids. ❤️❤️

[@geraldinegorman9597]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@eloiseezra5194]

Glad it was helpful!

[@marichellramirez-velasquez6874]

Ok. I’ll have to try again. When I tried to use the elastic my needle wouldn’t sew. I’ll practice this 👍🏼

[@lynner.8263]

That’s very clever 🙂

[@NYandAZ]

Where’s the final product? You didn’t show what it looked like when wearing it. That’s really necessary for people to see!

[@eloiseezra5194]

There actually a couple of pictures at the end of the video ❤️

[@patriceholden4047]

Just bought fat quarters to practice this first

[@NYCisland]

For $0 cost, use any fabric you have lying around. I use pillow cases, table clothes, old tee shirts, lots of stuff.