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Gathering vs Ruching Aren't they different techniques?
Darla in PA Intermediate PA USA Member since 4/10/02 Posts: 48	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/25/08 9:52 AM I don't consider myself a beginner sewing as I have been sewing for about 40 years. However, in the past couple of years I've been seeing/hearing references to ruching that looks like gathering to me (i.e., a flat piece of fabric with larger piece of fabric gathered to make it fit). I think I first sew it mentioned on that Friday night show about dressing. Areas that have been pointed out as ruched are top of sleeves, the bustline of a button shirt, neckline on a pullover shirt (this sometimes look like pleating), and princess seams. I know that in loss terms ruching is gathering or pleating but when you look at the definition it refers to a narrow strip of fabric being gathered or pleated. Here's Webster's - a pleated, fluted, or gathered strip of fabric used for trimming . Anytime that I have ruched anything the stitching was done is a zigzag. Someone, please help me out of my confusion. ------ Darla in PA
Rosebeee   Advanced Beginner OR USA Member since 10/16/07 Posts: 612	Login to reply to this post In reply to Darla in PA Like this post Date: 10/25/08 10:17 AM Perhaps gathering is the act of creating ruching? ------ Becca My blog: rosebee.dreamwidth.org So much fabric & patterns to fantasize about, so little time to sew!!
Annette Wright KS USA Member since 10/22/08 Posts: 1032	Login to reply to this post In reply to Rosebeee Like this post Date: 10/25/08 11:36 PM I always thought ruching was numerous rows of gathers, kind of like how "smocking" would look if not so nicely done. ------ Annette http://needlesnails.blogspot.com/
Vireya Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 12/10/05 Posts: 782	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/26/08 4:13 AM Darla, I think some of the confusion is because some people use terms without really knowing what they mean, so some have confused regular gathering with ruching. I've also seen people refer to what I would call gathering as ruching, such as the case of a gathered skirt, or a baby-doll top gathered into a yoke. Here's an example showing how to make the ruched trim you mentioned: Waved Ruching Stitch. Not all ruching is trim, though. Here's an example of a dress with a Ruched centre front Idunna, Are you thinking of shirring? That's where parallel lines of shirring elastic are sewn to the back, which gather up the fabric into a smocked-like effect, but there is no embroidery involved. Don't know if any of this will clear up the confusion, but I hope so! Vireya
SheBear0320   Advanced MB CANADA Member since 4/8/08 Posts: 2790	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/26/08 12:37 PM It is my understanding from what I've seen and read (nothing really formal) that: gathering is done when you have a larger edge that you want to attach to a smaller edge -- a larger skirt attached to a smaller waistband for example. ruching is done when the fabric is the same size -- and is "ruched" through the use of a channel and either elastic or cording inserted to pull up the lengths to give the "ruched" effect. I may be completely wrong but that is how I define them in my mind and when I explain them to my clients. ------ Sheila "sewing very slowly to fill an empty closet" 2012/2013 Stash Busting Sew-Along: 27.25 yards sewn (as of 05/15/13) 21.75 yards purchased (as of 05/15/13)
goodworks1   Advanced IL USA Member since 7/19/03 Posts: 3299	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/26/08 2:44 PM I think that the term ruching has been terribly misused in recent years. It reminds of the term 'button down' shirt that has come to mean a shirt with a front buttoned opening rather than a buttoned down collar. Whenever I read the term ruching when they really mean gathering I cringe. However, at some point we will probably all give in, as language changes over time and what is technically correct doesn't tend to matter in the long run... Ruching is technically a gathered fabric trim that is enclosed along both edges. Not released gathering. Or at least that's what I have always thought. lol Elaine ------ blog: goodworks1.wordpress.com
goodworks1   Advanced IL USA Member since 7/19/03 Posts: 3299	Login to reply to this post In reply to SheBear0320 Like this post Date: 10/26/08 2:46 PM Quote: SheBear0320 ruching is done when the fabric is the same size -- and is "ruched" through the use of a channel and either elastic or cording inserted to pull up the lengths to give the "ruched" effect. I understand your definition of gathering, but am not sure what you mean by 'the use of a channel' - could you expand on this? ------ blog: goodworks1.wordpress.com
SheBear0320   Advanced MB CANADA Member since 4/8/08 Posts: 2790	Login to reply to this post In reply to goodworks1 Like this post Date: 10/26/08 3:11 PM There are probably other methods but the ruching I do is usually on the side seams or the cf or db seams of skating outfits. To give some flexibility to the fit I use the channel method which is basically a piece of scrap fabric or a piece of double fold elastic and sew it along the seam with 3 rows of stitching. I then insert a piece of 1/8" elastic or elastic cording up one channel across the top and then down the other side. The elastic/cord can then be adjusted for tight ruching or something a little looser or more relaxed. Does that make any sense at all? ------ Sheila "sewing very slowly to fill an empty closet" 2012/2013 Stash Busting Sew-Along: 27.25 yards sewn (as of 05/15/13) 21.75 yards purchased (as of 05/15/13)
Nancy K Advanced NY USA Member since 12/28/04 Posts: 7583	Login to reply to this post In reply to Annette Wright Like this post Date: 10/26/08 3:34 PM No, that isn't ruching. Ruching is gathered, but as the definition stated it is trim. I made a pair of pants a few years ago and slit the center front and added long, ruched inserts. Both sides were gathered and attached to plain fabric. ------ www.nancyksews.blogspot.com
Nancy K Advanced NY USA Member since 12/28/04 Posts: 7583	Login to reply to this post In reply to SheBear0320 Like this post Date: 10/26/08 3:37 PM I would call this shirring, not ruching. The same thing on that dress. I think that the term is misused. ------ www.nancyksews.blogspot.com

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