I always get started with a row of stem stitches to start with to hold the collected material in position. You may make 1 or 2 rows of stem stitches like this to hold the gathers firmly in position. Madeira Smocking Thread is a novel thread that reacts to heat. https://devinlprvy.blogdanica.com/31586934/the-fact-about-smoking-thread-that-no-one-is-suggesting