Gathering

Gathering can often be found at the top of garments like skirts, shorts and trousers. It lets the material take an expanding shape which is why it is often found around the hips. A horizontal line is sewn with thread and then pulled and secured to hold the new shape. This once time consuming technique can be achieved by using a zigzag stitch on a sewing machine where both the top and under stitching threads are pulled.

Derek Lam 2009

Here is an example of a gathered skirt at the waste. Although emphasised by the belt, the skirt expands from the waste before falling, creating shape and volume