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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: blackie
Date: 05-30-2005, 01:06 PM (1 of 7)
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Hi! I am sewing my Halloween costumes early (there *is* a story behind this, but I won't bore you with it). I am making prarie dresses, aprons, and pinafores for me & my daughter. There is a lot of gathering infolved in the patterns. I am a half-arsed gatherer. I have always done the two rows of basting by machine and pulled one of the rows (can't remember which). Anyone have any tips or know of a good tutorial for perfect gathers? http://folkwear.com/images/213phlg.jpg http://folkwear.com/images/201phlg.jpg Much appreciated! see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: paroper
Date: 05-30-2005, 04:35 PM (2 of 7)
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Well, there are wonderful feet for that, BUT....there is a great method that won't cost a lot of money. Put your machine on zig zag and use a piece of dental floss, kite string or light weight fishing line. Just zig zag on each side of it. If you happen to have a that allows you to cord, you can just feet the line through the foot, if not, just feet the line into your machine at the center and zig zag. When you are through, you'll easily be able to slide your fabric over the string, floss or line. Adjust your gathers, pin and sew. REAL EASY! I like to use about 2 lb fishing line...and I just pull it out if it will come after I have sewn my fabric together...if not, it is so light weight, it really doesn't matter because it isn't much heavier than transparent thread.
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: bridesmom
Date: 05-30-2005, 11:02 PM (3 of 7)
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Wow Pam, I like that idea!! I have started to use my serger for gathering which I find works very well. I set the stitch length to the longest, set the differential feed to the highest and make sure I have extra starting and ending threads,then serge away. It does the gathering while you are stitching and you can adjust the amount of gathers by pulling out the running threads (not the looper threads) at the ends and gathering like normal (if that made sense!!)
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: blackie
Date: 05-30-2005, 11:24 PM (4 of 7)
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I set the stitch length to the longest, set the differential feed to the highest and make sure I have extra starting and ending threads,then serge away. It does the gathering while you are stitching and you can adjust the amount of gathers by pulling out the running threads (not the looper threads) at the ends and gathering like normal (if that made sense!!) Wow. That sounds like such a great idea and must make for a very even gathering! It's too bad I don't understand *at all* what you mean by diff. feed because I have only the minimum amount of serger experience!!!! 
see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: paroper
Date: 05-31-2005, 12:47 AM (5 of 7)
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Not all sergers have differential feed. It is quite often a dial that you set from normal to high or low numbers, or plus or minus. It is used to help feed different fabrics through the serger so that they are flat. If you don't use it, sometimes fabrics (especially knits) will be wavy, other fabrics will gather. There was a time when it was found on only very expensive sergers, but the price has come down dramatically, and it is now found on many sergers. It is one of those options that you should shop for when considering a serger.
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: blackie
Date: 06-05-2005, 01:18 AM (6 of 7)
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Well, there are wonderful feet for that, BUT....there is a great method that won't cost a lot of money. Put your machine on zig zag and use a piece of dental floss, kite string or light weight fishing line. Just zig zag on each side of it. If you happen to have a that allows you to cord, you can just feet the line through the foot, if not, just feet the line into your machine at the center and zig zag. When you are through, you'll easily be able to slide your fabric over the string, floss or line. Adjust your gathers, pin and sew. REAL EASY! I like to use about 2 lb fishing line...and I just pull it out if it will come after I have sewn my fabric together...if not, it is so light weight, it really doesn't matter because it isn't much heavier than transparent thread. Pam - YOU ROCK. I just finished doing my miles and miles of gathering with your method and it was SO much easier than the traditional 2 rows of basting method. That is the best sewing tip I've had in a while. Thank you muchly! see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: paroper
Date: 06-05-2005, 07:15 AM (7 of 7)
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I'm glad I could help.
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 |
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