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From: Parsuzi
Date: 09-11-2004, 01:16 PM (1 of 11)
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I am new here, a novice sewer... I am trying to make ruffles - I've used my sewing machine to baste, then pull tight. Is there an easier way? I just purchased a serger (White speedylock 1634), which I believe is a VERY basic 4 thread model. It's not even on the White website, but I just got it at Hancock's. Can you make ruffles w/ a serger? Do I need a special foot or attachment? Is there an even easier way? Thanks! Suzanne |
User: Parsuzi
Member since: 09-11-2004 Total posts: 7 |
From: paroper
Date: 09-11-2004, 09:13 PM (2 of 11)
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There are several ways. You can purchase an expensive foot made for ruffles. They are a little tricky to master, but not difficult to learn and they make beautiful little pleated ruffles. There are gathering feet available for machines too. They make a nice, even gather and are not very hard to use at all and are modestly priced (as machine feetgo). Then there is a budget way to gather. You can use the basting method which you have tried. If you have a lot to gather or your gathering lines aren't very straight, the thread often fatigues and breaks before you finish. You can also zig zag over dental floss, kit string or fishing line. Then you just move your fabric along the string until you have your gathers even and sew. This is one of the less frusterating way to do it.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Hockeymum
Date: 09-12-2004, 07:57 PM (3 of 11)
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Not sure if a ruffle is the same thing as "Lettuce Edging"?? I am very new to this board, and its been years since I actually did any dress making.....just started up again recently. Anyway, I bought this great book "Easy Sewing The Kwik-Sew Way, which comes with patterns included by the way....and in it they show you how to do Lettuce Edging. I quote... "Lettuce edging can be done on stretchy knit fabrics and it makes a pretty finish on a top at the bottom edge and at the sleeves. Set the machine to a medium or slightly wider zigzag width and a short stitch length. Fold the bottom edge 1/8" (3mm) to the wrong side and zigzag over the folded edge, stretching the edge as much as possible while stitching. Note: Try the lettuce edging on a scrap of the same fabric and adjust the width and the length of the stitches for the desired look." end quote. It is shown on a t-shirt sleeve edge and hem edge. Looks nice. Hope this helps. The book is amazing, you should check it out. Cheers |
User: Hockeymum
Member since: 09-10-2004 Total posts: 19 |
From: paroper
Date: 09-12-2004, 08:37 PM (4 of 11)
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No, Lettuce edging can make a nice finish to a ruffle, but the process of ruffling or gathering happens where the fabrics meet, like a Gathered skirt or ruffled window curtains. Officially, ruffles are little pleats that make wide fabric narrower so that it can be joined to a narrower piece of fabric, like a wide strip of fabric joined to the bottom of window curtains. On the other hand, gathers are puckers in the fabric where the fabric is drawn up tighter to do the same basic thing, to add a wide skirt to a narrow bodice for instance.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Hockeymum
Date: 09-13-2004, 12:01 AM (5 of 11)
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Oh got it, thanks Pam. I learned something new tonight...boy I love these message boards. I am going to go and re-read your original post about ruffles now, so I know how to do them myself ha! Cheers |
User: Hockeymum
Member since: 09-10-2004 Total posts: 19 |
From: Parsuzi
Date: 09-13-2004, 06:39 AM (6 of 11)
Thanks for the help!  Yesterday, I tried the dental floss/zig zag method and was successful. I had heard of this method and actually forgotten about it -- was scared to try it previously because I was sure I'd sew through the floss and it wouldn't work. (Not an issue.) It was SO MUCH easier than machine basting -- I ALWAYS seemed to rip my thread when pulling tight.
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User: Parsuzi
Member since: 09-11-2004 Total posts: 7 |
From: paroper
Date: 09-13-2004, 10:45 AM (7 of 11)
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If you happen to have a foot that has a hole in it, you can feed your floss or string into that hole and it not only helps feed the string or floss but it also keeps it straighter. You can do that with ribbon, elastic or almost anything that is applied to your garment. As a matter of fact, I often feed ribbon through the "zig zag" hole of my presser foot if it is narrow enough.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 09-13-2004, 12:00 PM (8 of 11)
I read a long time ago that you could just tighten the tension on the machine and stitch fast and this would gather material also.. I tried it once and it worked OK.. I used this method to gather the ruffles for some 'Priscilla' curtains I made for my neice some years ago.. I serged both edges of the strips before I started gathering and it made the work go very fast... Worked well.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
|
From: bw64
Date: 08-23-2006, 03:54 PM (9 of 11)
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There are several ways. You can purchase an expensive foot made for ruffles. They are a little tricky to master, but not difficult to learn and they make beautiful little pleated ruffles. There are gathering feet available for machines too. They make a nice, even gather and are not very hard to use at all and are modestly priced (as machine feetgo). Then there is a budget way to gather. You can use the basting method which you have tried. If you have a lot to gather or your gathering lines aren't very straight, the thread often fatigues and breaks before you finish. You can also zig zag over dental floss, kit string or fishing line. Then you just move your fabric along the string until you have your gathers even and sew. This is one of the less frusterating way to do it. Hi, I would like to know how can I make beautiful ruffles out of organza fabric for a wedding gown train. The train will be make out of organza material. Also, I will making ruffles for the upper sleeves near the upper arm area. What type of material is best poleyster or crystal organza. What type of grain should I use lengthwise or crosswise grain. I know I will be hemming the edges by folding 1/2 inch twice and stitch the edges on both ends. What is the proper way in gathering this type of material? |
User: bw64
Member since: 08-22-2006 Total posts: 2 |
From: paroper
Date: 08-23-2006, 05:35 PM (10 of 11)
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I would say that it is wide open. If you want percision pleates use a ruffler, if you want gathers, just gather on fishing line (because it is clear). Either fabric will be wonderful. I much perfer organza of any kind to chiffon (yuck) because of ease of sewing and handling (doesn't walk like chiffon...and it is stiffer). I actually enjoy sewing organza fabrics. When I first learned to sew we used cotton organza for interfacing. I'd choose the organza according to the type of stiffness I would like and the looks of the fabric because there are real differences in the stiffness and feel of the different organza fabrics. I usually cut on lengthwise grain but it is fine to cut crosswise too. If there is a lot of skirt involved (like 2 1/2-3 times the width) do NOT use a square piece of fabric but rather use a more rectangular piece of fabric (less at the waist). You don't even want to know about how I learned this lesson (please trust me). You'll wouldn't believe the difference it can make.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: dudenbabe
Date: 08-24-2006, 12:57 PM (11 of 11)
| A method for gathering material that Sandra Bettina used on her sewing program was to set the stitch length at 3, then as you sew, hold a finger firmly behind the pressure foot. Release the finger periodically to allow the built-up fabric to move. Replace the finger, and sew the next section. The amount of gathering is controlled by the finger behind the pressure foot. This works particularly well for taking the excess out of sleeve caps and easing pattern pieces to fit. I have not used it for heavy gathers on very long pieces. |
User: dudenbabe
Member since: 03-17-2006 Total posts: 8 |
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