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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: CraftyStitcher
Date: 06-19-2006, 12:05 PM (1 of 9)
I'm looking to buy a new presser foot for my Husqvarna Viking Rose machine. I want to be able to make gathers and sew it directly onto a straight piece of fabric. I've seen both a gathering foot and a ruffler foot. Does anyone know the difference? I know the gathering foot is less expensive but that is it.

Thanks
User: CraftyStitcher
Member since: 06-11-2006
Total posts: 14
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 06-19-2006, 05:10 PM (2 of 9)
Sorry, I cannot help you.. In my parts box of attachments, one foot is the ruffler/gathering foot..This is for my Singer Featherweight Portable 221.. I use my serger and serge over a cord or section of stren (fishing line).. and then just pull it up.. Better than an accessory part and much faster..
Sew With Love
Libby
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002
Total posts: 2022
From: weezie
Date: 06-19-2006, 05:45 PM (3 of 9)
Hi There,
I have both of these feet for three of my main sewing machines,1. old treadle by Singer,2.1938 Singer and 3. A Singer quantium Computerized . I rarely use the gathering foot for any of them. That one is a simple foot that more or less rocks as the fabric feeds +your stitch, but the only control is the stitch length.This limits the types of things you can do with it. First you gather then stitch in another operation.
My Rufflers though are a multi use feet that feed the fabric that needs gathering evenly. The ruffles can be set to gather so many folds per inch. They can pleat fabric at so many pleats per inch. you can gather two fabric layers and attach to a third fabric that stays flat. I use mine for grandchilds fancier dresses.They are great to put ruffles on curtains. Etc. Etc. Etc. I find them more user friendly too as you can test on a scrap and be sure of the settings but every piece is evenly fed and exactly right for the settings used.
These have saved me hours but the quality of the ruffles and attaching is always correct for me with the ruffler. And yes I would consider how much you sew as well as the types of things you make.Yet if I had to pick just one?? Yup ,it would be worth extra money for me to buy the ruffler.Weezie
weezie
User: weezie
Member since: 01-01-2002
Total posts: 34
From: CraftyStitcher
Date: 06-19-2006, 07:11 PM (4 of 9)
Thanks weezie

I think I'll go with the ruffler. I want to be able to make simple and quick dresses for my two girls. I made one of them a mermaid costume and had to do all of the gathering the old fashion way and it took awhile. I'm going to look for a foot on eBay. Thanks for the advice.
User: CraftyStitcher
Member since: 06-11-2006
Total posts: 14
From: kathntex
Date: 06-19-2006, 07:53 PM (5 of 9)
When you get your ruffler (or before) go to this site:
http://www.theweebsite.com/sewing/tools/ruffler.html to get some great instructions on how to use it.

3 more tips:

Thread the needle before you put on the ruffler.
Take the projector off the lever to attach the foot.
Be sure to check that the needle goes down into the hole before you stitch.

Enjoy
User: kathntex
Member since: 11-30-2004
Total posts: 8
From: cvnativeinpa
Date: 06-20-2006, 08:21 AM (6 of 9)
I have both of these feet, and they are very different. Although I know you've decided on the ruffler (good choice), the "teacher in me" wants to share with you the differences. So forgive me. :nervous: The gathering foot is stationary; the ruffler is not. The gathering foot looks like it has two "big toes" with a split between them. Also, it has a "bump" on the toes. What this foot does is gather fabric to be able to ease it into a sleeve cap. Now as to the ruffler--this foot picks fabric up and "throws" it forward under the needle. There is a "tucker" that moves on the foot. Depending on the adjustment you get, you can gather, ruffle or pleat. The ruffler is more expensive because it does more. I use the ruffler when I want gathered fabric as on ruffles for curtains, skirt hems, etc. I wouldn't give up this little gem of equipment; it has served me well for the 20+ years I've had it.


Hope I've 'splained everything. :bluewink:
It is only with the heart one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye"--Antoine de Saint-Exupery
User: cvnativeinpa
Member since: 12-09-2003
Total posts: 10
From: paroper
Date: 06-20-2006, 09:40 AM (7 of 9)
Technically, the ruffler is the only quick way to make true ruffles which are pleated. The gathering foot duplicates what you do with two threads by hand. I really enjoy the ruffler and have used it on miles of square dance and children's clothing and wouldn't take for it. However, it is not what you think of or normally do when putting a gathered skirt on a bodice and may not present the look you are seeking if that is what you have in mind.

Buy the ruffler you'll love it.

When doing gathering as in long skirts, use a small cording foot. Insert light weight fishing line in the foot and zig zag over it (I like 2 lb test...cheap and light weight and clear). Then just adjust your gathers on the cord. This will give you a lovely gather and it is EASY!!!!

This will give you the best of both worlds...a great foot for lovely ruffles and an easy gathering method!
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: MariLynntex
Date: 06-20-2006, 12:14 PM (8 of 9)
My Singer used to have a gathering foot and a ruffler foot. I have a ruffler for my Pfaff which I like very much and it has been very useful. I never used the gatherer when I had one because I always just lay a crochet thread on the seam line of anything I want gathered and zigzag over it and the pull the crocet thread until the gathers are perfectly in place and then straight-stitch my seam. Easing in gathers for tailored sleeves is a delicate operation and I usually do a normal stitching on the sleeve cap for that and carefully ease the sleeve in as I stitch the sleeve to the garment before I do the side seam of sleeve or garment. This really simplified the custom sewing I did. MariLynntx
User: MariLynntex
Member since: 01-05-2006
Total posts: 107
From: Kylnne2
Date: 06-21-2006, 02:25 AM (9 of 9)
There is also a gathering/shirring foot available for certain brands of sergers that gathers one layer and attaches it to a flat layer. It does the job neatly and quickly and finishes the edges at the same time.
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004
Total posts: 629
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