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Member since 8/24/08
Posts: 205
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Posted on: 4/3/09 1:14 AM ET
In my ongoing search for a serger which I thought was basically over, I keep going back to one question asked here: what am I going to use it for? and thinking that I really want it to ruffle and at the same time attach to an unruffled piece. Do all sergers have attachments that will do this? I've narrowed it down to the Juki first then the Janome but I can't seem to see where they have rufflers that attach to them. Am I looking for the wrong thing? (Also my second need is for a good rolled hem but I think both sergers should be fine with that).
  
Member since 12/30/08
Posts: 132
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Posted on: 4/3/09 1:41 AM ET
I recently bought a Kenmore serger and the foot that your talking about is called a Gathering Foot, it is a seperate purchase for my machine that has to be ordered.
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Sewgirl101
  
Member since 4/22/04
Posts: 7282
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Posted on: 4/3/09 1:51 AM ET
In reply to grandmasewnsew
You will be able to do ruffles on a serger without a special foot by just adjusting the differential feed but to ruffle and attach to an unruffled piece then yes you will need another foot or a gathering shirring tongue that attaches to the regular foot.
I hope you find a nice serger that suits your needs.
  
Member since 7/8/06
Posts: 947
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Posted on: 4/3/09 3:59 AM ET
In reply to grandmasewnsew
I have a ruffler attachment on my sewing machine. I add the ruffle then take the completed seam to the serger and finish it off. Easi Peasi
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Life is too short to stuff mushrooms
  
Member since 6/24/05
Posts: 573
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Posted on: 4/3/09 11:40 AM ET
I just noticed that there is an optional "gathering presser foot" for the Juki 654DE. Would that work for ruffles?
  
Member since 8/24/08
Posts: 205
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Posted on: 4/3/09 2:14 PM ET
I have a "gathering foot" for my Janome 6000. It does absolutely nothing! I change the tension, etc. per manual instructions and it gathers a little but the new addition of the foot made no difference, so I'm not sold on gathering feet.
Although I do enjoy gathering feet!
-- Edited on 4/3/09 2:15 PM --
  
Member since 3/20/08
Posts: 371
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Posted on: 4/3/09 3:22 PM ET
In reply to grandmasewnsew
I have "gathered" on my serger and I also have a "gathering foot" that will gather and attach at the same time, I have made dresses, aprons etc. and love the foot. It does take a bit of practice to get used to how it works but other than that it is fine.
  
Member since 8/4/06
Posts: 2079
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Posted on: 4/3/09 4:15 PM ET
In reply to grandmasewnsew
I have a Babylock Imagine serger and have the gathering foot and it does gather onto an unruffled piece but you need to get the foot separately although they are having a promotion now that gives you a box of the optional feet w/purchase.

It takes some practice. I received a dvd that showed how to use it with my serger. The gathering is supposed to be 2:1 but I think you can alter that messing around with the differential feed/stitch length but I am not sure exactly how and how to measure for it. I think this is extremly useful in applications such as a ruffled bedskirt and curtains.
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Be true to yourself. Push your boundaries. Do everything with love in your heart and a grin in your head. Move a little, eat good food, enjoy good health. Spread sunshine.
  
Member since 8/24/08
Posts: 205
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Posted on: 4/3/09 4:52 PM ET
In reply to Betakin
Quote: Betakin
You will be able to do ruffles on a serger without a special foot by just adjusting the differential feed but to ruffle and attach to an unruffled piece then yes you will need another foot or a gathering shirring tongue that attaches to the regular foot.

I hope you find a nice serger that suits your needs.

Okay, then. Gathering on a serger is without a special foot but use a gathering foot to join on a serger.
Thanks, everyone.
  
Member since 4/22/04
Posts: 7282
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Posted on: 4/3/09 9:24 PM ET
In reply to grandmasewnsew
Yep, you don't need a special foot for just gathering unless gathering and attaching to a non gathered fabric at the same time, then you need a shirring foot or shirring tongue. To gather just set your differential feed on 2.
On older sergers that did not have differential feed one would just serge over cording or serger chains then pull up the cords.
  
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