YES, IT ACTUALLY WORKS!
How to use Dental Floss for Gathering
Have you struggled trying to get nice, even gathers on a garment or pillow?
I have the best ‘cheat’ using something you wouldn’t usually have in your sewing box – dental floss!
![dental-floss-for-gathering-01 dental floss gathering thread](https://quiltadvice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/dental-floss-for-gathering-01.jpg)
It’s pretty easy. Dental floss is nice and strong, but not too thick.
1. Draw a line for seam allowance.
First, I like to draw a line on my fabric for my seam allowance, that way I stay within that line.
![dental-floss-for-gathering-02 draw a line on your fabric for seam allowance](https://quiltadvice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/dental-floss-for-gathering-02.jpg)
2. Lay the floss centered under the needle.
Take it to your machine and put your fabric under the needle within the seam allowance. Lay the floss centered under the needle. I set my zigzag to 5mm wide and 5mm long, that way it’s not too tight and it’s very visible.
![dental-floss-for-gathering-03 lay the floss centered under the needle and set your zigzag to 5mm wide and 5mm long](https://quiltadvice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/dental-floss-for-gathering-03.jpg)
3. Back stitch both ends.
Do a back stitch at both ends to secure. Take it back over to your table and it will look like this.
![dental-floss-for-gathering-04 do a back stitch at both ends to secure](https://quiltadvice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/dental-floss-for-gathering-04.jpg)
4. Hold the floss and pull.
Then hold one end of the floss, and pull, gathering your fabric as loosely or as tightly as you prefer.
![dental-floss-for-gathering-05 hold one end of the floss and pull](https://quiltadvice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/dental-floss-for-gathering-05.jpg)
5. Make it as even as you can.
Take your time and make them as even as you can. Then take it back to your machine, and run a stitch line just under your zigzag.
![dental-floss-for-gathering-06 take it back to your sewing machine and run a stitch line under your zigzag](https://quiltadvice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/dental-floss-for-gathering-06.jpg)
6. Remove the floss.
Snip the floss and remove! You’re ready to sew the neat gathered fabric into whatever you wish. Mine became a skirt!
![dental-floss-for-gathering-07 snip the floss to remove it](https://quiltadvice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/dental-floss-for-gathering-07.jpg)
So, tell me – will you add dental floss to your sewing kit now?
![ABOUT THE AUTHOR](https://quiltadvice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/michelle-brassens.jpeg)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michelle Brassens