Crossword Genius

Sewers sometimes require this decongestant, ultimately, long after parties (9,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gathering stitch

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'sewers sometimes require this decongestant ultimately' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I cannot tell whether this works.

'long after parties' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'long' could be 'itch' (to long or itch for something is to desire it) and 'itch' is located in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

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