Elastic gathering tape—what’s it for?

Hi everyone,

I discovered “elastic gathering tape” in the Buttinette catalog. It’s 5 cm wide and 3.5 m long. On a...zon, there’s also some that’s 2.5 cm wide.

You sewing pros, please tell me—or rather, tell us—what this is used for. So far, I’ve only seen gathering tape on curtains to make them fall in even pleats. But those are stiff, not elastic.

Have you worked with this before, and what do you think of it? How do you sew it on so it works properly? For example, if I wanted to sew a pleated skirt for kids out of cotton fabric, could I use the elastic gathering tape, and would it make my job easier?

I know that some sewing machines have a “gathering foot” that gathers the fabric. Unfortunately, mine doesn’t. I didn’t know about it when I bought it. So how do I gather fabric now? With the elastic gathering tape???

Thank you so much for your answers.

Best regards, Ina

These elastic gathering tapes are ideal for waistbands on skirts or pants and are often used in children’s clothing.

Best regards, Inge

Thanks, Inge—I’ll definitely give that a try for my summer clothes.
Best regards, Ina