Replies

1. 
   smr | Feb 23, 2007 09:24pm | #1

   I've used this method quite successfully on ballet skirts and bridal veils.

   I use a ball of thin cotton crochet yarn (for example size 10 pearl cotton).  Place the yarn about  1/4 to 1/2 inch from the edge of the tulle, leaving a tail before you start sewing. 

    Using your zigzag stitch on a wide width,  hold the yarn with the left hand and zigzag over the yarn, but do not catch it.  Once you get to the end of the length you are sewing clip your sewing threads, and cut the yarn, leaving about a 6 inch tail.

   Go back to the beginning of the stitches and wrap the yarn around a pin to secure it, just like you would when doing any ruffle-type work.  Go back to your end tail and just pull the yarn and the tulle should gather just right. 

   I've had situations, for example in a ballet skirt, where you are attaching the ruffled tulle to a bodice.  I typically will baste the ruffle to the bodice and then remove the yarn, by gently pulling it out.  It just depends on the application if the yarn is adding too much bulk.

   I hope this helps with what you are planning.

   Suzanne

2. 
   Teaf5 | Feb 24, 2007 12:51am | #2

   If you can figure out how to do a forum search, enter "gathering tulle" as a key word.  A few months ago, someone asked the same thing and got a lot of very good responses, including the very good "zigzag over string" method posted already.