I do a zig-zag over pearl cotton, that is on both sides without catching the pearl cotton. The fabric gathers easily, the pearl cotton slides and I don't have to worry about breaking the thread. The gather can be varied by changing the length of the stitch. Do a practice piece with scrap.

I do basically what glass is saying except over dental floss.
Susan

"I do a zig-zag over pearl cotton, that is on both sides without catching the pearl cotton."

Glassquilt, please explain what you mean by, "that is on both side".

Two rows of stitching is always what is instructed when making patterns. I think it might give a more even gather. The zig zag over pearl cotton sounds like a great idea too. I'll have to try that next time.
Colleen

I also zig zag over upholstery or carpet thread. A tip is to do it in sections, rather than one long stretch, this ways the gathers will be even. You could also use shirring tape, which makes very even gathers.

Thanks for the respones! I just practiced with dental floss and it worked great! Dumb question...once you zig zag over the pearl cotton,carpet thread, or dental floss, what do you do the ends that are then just hanging. Do you tie them off or cut them?

I meant the stitches were on each side and not on the pearl cotton itself.

I cut the excess off.

I used to do it the way glass does,then i broke down and got myself a gathering foot.That works great,i always make all my own bedskirts,so this makes it easier.
Kathi

I use the clear type elastic for swimsuits. Just put in on the fabric pulled out a bit and sew right through it with a zigzag stitch. I do a bit of math the see how much I want it to gather. Works great.

If I don't have any around, then I will resort to zigzag stitching over the cotton warp thread I have around.

Gloria

I make 2-3 rows of basting and pull them where I need them. Then I tie the ends so it does not come apart. I stich right in the middle of the basting and it comes out perfect every time.
Judy

I also use a gathering stitch with my machine or a serger.

I am a novice sewer. When you are doing the sewing with dental floss, do you use bobbin thread too, or just the floss? Also how best to use the floss & thread it? WInd it on a spool?

Hi - I do 2 rows of large stitches(machine basting) slightly less than 1/8" apart - w/ a heavy thread (like glace or upholstery) in the bobbin & a slightly looser tension on the upper thread, then pull the bobbin threads.If it's a large area, I don't try to pull it all from 1 end, tho - I do it in sections.

& I pin, then hand baste before stitching.Stitching gathers over pins can be a pain - literally!

Also, FWIW, I was taught that when shirring(gathering), you should always pull the bobbin thread, since it's easier....

HTH

I tighten the tension knob on the front of the machine as tight as it will go. I then set the stitch length for as long as possible on a striaght stitch. It gathers in the fabric as it stitches using about 1 1/2 to 2 times the width....perfect for dust ruffles. Just remember to loosen the tension knob to it's former location before you pull the fabric away from the needle...if you don't the upper thread will break before you get it tied off.

Garboflo, Welcom to THS. You do NOT sew with the floss, you use regular thread spool and regular thread bobbin, then you zigzag OVER the floss. This allows you to gather the fabric by sliding the fabric over the floss. Hope this helps.
Colleen, what about a more tailored bedskirt, no ruffles. I split a few yards of fabric down the middle and just hung it around the bed with part of the fabric under the mattress, then used upholstery (spiral) pins to attach to the box spring. Used the selvage for the hem, no sew and looks great, I even pleated it at the corners.
Kathy G in MI

Interesting technique, Jaybird. I'm going to try it.

I always switch the bobbin thread from matching thread to an obvious contrast color for easy identification when pulling. Loosen the tension, and, if it's a big item like a dust ruffle, work in sections, leaving long tails on the threads before cutting the threads. Pull the bobbin thread and the gathers will make themselves; pull the top thread and the gathers get stuck. If you don't leave long tails on upper and bobbin threads, you may accidentally pull out the bobbin thread while pulling the gathers. That's very aggravating.

Kathy G in MI: Where does the dental floss come in since you don't thread it in the machine? Everybody here says they are using it. I still don't understand how. I AM CONFUSED!

You cut the dental floss the length of the fabric you are trying to gather. You lay the floss on the area where you will stitchand stitch over the floss using a zig zag stitch making sure not to stitch onto the floss. It is similar to couching a yarn in hand embroidery.

Garboflo, I think they mean that the zig-zag stitches act like a casing or a "tunnel" for the dental floss to move freely through as you move the fabric along. That's how I percieve it, and I'm sad that I didn't know this trick sooner!

Another question for dental floss gatherers: How do you secure the end of the dental floss after the zig zag stitch is in? Otherwise the floss just pulls out.