Ruffling attachment

[southernbelle04]

Originally Posted by McheleM

Now my problem is figuring out how to measure to make sure my ruffled fabric fits into the area I need it in. Doing it by hand, I could adjust it. With the attachment I am trying to figure out how to adjust it on the machine.

This was what I was curious about. I got the ruffled foot I bought in the mail yesterday. Hoping to give it a try today. I'm kinda intimidated. Lol

[kjc]

Originally Posted by hobbette

ok question is there a huge difference between what you can do with a gathering foot and what you can do with a ruffler? The videos I watched kinda look like then do the same thing. on the brother site there is a gathering foot for your machine

Brother International - Home Sewing Machine and Embroidery Machine

Amazon.com: Brother SA120 Gathering Foot: Arts, Crafts & Sewing

The Ruffler attachment is capable of making a much fuller gather and does pleats. The Gathering foot gives a gentle gather.

Originally Posted by McheleM

Now my problem is figuring out how to measure to make sure my ruffled fabric fits into the area I need it in. Doing it by hand, I could adjust it. With the attachment I am trying to figure out how to adjust it on the machine.

From: Blog | How to Estimate Fabric for use with your Ruffler foot | Sewing Machines Etcetera

Estimating Fabric
To determing the ratio of the fabric to the finished length of the ruffle, measure the ruffle strip before and then again after gathering.

Procedure
Cut a 20" test piece of fabric to be gathered. Cut it the same width the actual ruffle will be. Make a mark 5" in from each end. That leaves 10" in the middle which is the "test area". Gather the entire 20" length of fabric using the stitch length and tension that you want. Once it is gathered, make a note of the machine settings used and measure the gathered "test area". For example, if it is now 6", you'll end up with 6" of ruffle for every 10" of flat fabric that you start with. Divide the length of ruffle needed (let's say 300") by the length of the gathered "test area" (6" in this case) and multiply the result by 10. Example: 300" of ruffle is needed. 300 divided by 6 = 50. 50 x 10 = 500. So a 500" flat strip is needed in order to end up with a 300" gathered strip.

Originally Posted by southernbelle04

This was what I was curious about. I got the ruffled foot I bought in the mail yesterday. Hoping to give it a try today. I'm kinda intimidated. Lol

How to use the Ruffler Foot - YouTube

[McheleM]

Originally Posted by kjc

The Ruffler attachment is capable of making a much fuller gather and does pleats. The Gathering foot gives a gentle gather.



From: Blog | How to Estimate Fabric for use with your Ruffler foot | Sewing Machines Etcetera

Estimating Fabric
To determing the ratio of the fabric to the finished length of the ruffle, measure the ruffle strip before and then again after gathering.

Procedure
Cut a 20" test piece of fabric to be gathered. Cut it the same width the actual ruffle will be. Make a mark 5" in from each end. That leaves 10" in the middle which is the "test area". Gather the entire 20" length of fabric using the stitch length and tension that you want. Once it is gathered, make a note of the machine settings used and measure the gathered "test area". For example, if it is now 6", you'll end up with 6" of ruffle for every 10" of flat fabric that you start with. Divide the length of ruffle needed (let's say 300") by the length of the gathered "test area" (6" in this case) and multiply the result by 10. Example: 300" of ruffle is needed. 300 divided by 6 = 50. 50 x 10 = 500. So a 500" flat strip is needed in order to end up with a 300" gathered strip.



How to use the Ruffler Foot - YouTube

Thank you for this!!

[kjc]

Originally Posted by McheleM

Thank you for this!!

You're Welcome!

[southernbelle04]

Thank you Kathy! I needed that info. I tried several test pieces. I was starting to get frustrated so I took a break to eat a bite. Lol

[kjc]

Originally Posted by southernbelle04

Thank you Kathy! I needed that info. I tried several test pieces. I was starting to get frustrated so I took a break to eat a bite. Lol

It takes a bit to get used to... but well worth the time spent learning... major time saver when you get the hang of it! I think one of the hardest things is just getting it on the machine, lol!

[McheleM]

Originally Posted by kjc

It takes a bit to get used to... but well worth the time spent learning... major time saver when you get the hang of it! I think one of the hardest things is just getting it on the machine, lol!

Lol yeah!! It is huge and that space seems so much smaller than when I was younger.

[rilysmom]

I have used dental foss and a zigzag stitch for many years....a trick I learned doing costumes for a summer camp when my daughter was little. I recently discovered that I had a gathering foot that was my mother's which fits the machine I have now, YAY!! I'm using it and I really like it. If I continue to make things with appliques, I just might have to invest in a ruffler, lol. Thanks, ladies. for all the tips. I have sewn for years, but I'm still learning! That's the fun part about it.

[RustysMom]

Gosh you all make me feel so old..........the first ruffler foot I had, I must have worn it out with all the drapes, bedspreads, throwpillows, tablecloths, napkins etc. I made.. I don't think there was a surface in my house that wasn't covered with something I made that had a ruffle on it, LOL.....And still to this day, I don't own anything that I made in the good ole days....

So, I bought a new ruffler for my old machine about a year ago to use it on the doggie dresses, and I use it some, but not a whole lot. All ths talk makes me want to pull it out and use it again..................

Have fun with it girls...it is FAB!

[kjc]

My first ruffler came with my treadle machine! Am I crazy... I still have the urge to use the treadle, although my new machine currently lives on top of the treadle! I may start using it again.... I don't want to wear out the new one! Lol!

[southernbelle04]

So far I'm not a fan of the ruffling attachment. Lol. I think I need lots more practice to enjoy it.

[kjc]

Originally Posted by southernbelle04

So far I'm not a fan of the ruffling attachment. Lol. I think I need lots more practice to enjoy it.

Oh no! This is sad to hear! With a ruffler, you can make all your own trims and embellishments!

Once a piece is ruffled, one can still ease it either way to make it longer or shorter, same as one does with hand gathering. I know with me, many times I rip out the first run of ruffling, and make any machine adjustments, like for stitch length or tension, or ruffler adjustments, and iron the piece again before I run it through a second or even third time until I get the desired effect.

This is just a suggestion... and is what I do myself... I set a block of time everyday, usually 1/2 hour, to practice using a new attachment or a new method, anything that frustrates me or I have trouble getting it to work right. This way I can concentrate on using the attachment and I'm not worrying about messing up something I'm making for someone else.

[hobbette]

Originally Posted by kjc

My first ruffler came with my treadle machine! Am I crazy... I still have the urge to use the treadle, although my new machine currently lives on top of the treadle! I may start using it again.... I don't want to wear out the new one! Lol!

I've always kind of wanted a treadle machine! We had one in the house growing up, but my mom didn't really sew, and it didn't work so it was more of a pretty table... I was fascinated with it anyway :P

[kjc]

Originally Posted by hobbette

I've always kind of wanted a treadle machine! We had one in the house growing up, but my mom didn't really sew, and it didn't work so it was more of a pretty table... I was fascinated with it anyway :P

I got mine on Ebay for $50. Then we made a day trip out of it to go and pick it up, lol! 4 hours each way!

I was just getting good at using my treadle when I caught the 'embroidery bug' and found a great deal on HSN for an embroidery machine. I do love it but I find myself missing the treadle... IDK, something about the simplicity of it, and it's history, and the amazing fact that it's still working after 116 years!

[southernbelle04]

Bumping this one for chinalee....not sure if it will help any but I thought it might.