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How? (Moderated by Deepika)
Posted on: 9/14/13 12:58 PM ET
Would anyone happen to know any techniques on how to make ruffles without using a ruffle foot? (I have a Pfaff Creative Performance sewing machine, so if anyone has any ideas or techniques specific to that machine or similar I would greatly appreciate it!)
Thanks! :)
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Thanks! :)
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Evelyn: Pfaff Creative Performance
Posted on: 9/14/13 1:44 PM ET
In reply to jynclr
Use a long stitch, and tighten your tension. Then pull the threads through to hand gather. These tips are good for any machine.
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Posted on: 9/14/13 3:45 PM ET
It's a nuisance but I like to run 3 rows of basting stitches. It seems to give me more evenly distributed gathers. Also, a heavier thread in the bobbin works nicely to ease the gathering process.
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"We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." Anais Nin
"Attitude is the difference between an adventure and an ordeal." unknown
“Be curious, not judgmental.” Ted Lasso
Posted on: 9/14/13 4:08 PM ET
You can do a narrow zig zag over a super strong thread or piece of string. If the stitches don't catch the thread you can pull.
I like to use the 1/8 inch elastic and just pull it as tight as possible and use a very narrow zig zag and it will be a great full ruffle. If it's too full you can pull the ruffle to fit the straight fabric and after stitching together you just go snip the elastic where its too tight. You can use the gathering foot that makes very gentle gathers.
If you do choose to gather by pulling a thread, I advise using a strong thread i the top and use two rows of basting. as long as you are pulling the string thread its ok in bobbin or top! Pull all basting stitches as one.
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I like to use the 1/8 inch elastic and just pull it as tight as possible and use a very narrow zig zag and it will be a great full ruffle. If it's too full you can pull the ruffle to fit the straight fabric and after stitching together you just go snip the elastic where its too tight. You can use the gathering foot that makes very gentle gathers.
If you do choose to gather by pulling a thread, I advise using a strong thread i the top and use two rows of basting. as long as you are pulling the string thread its ok in bobbin or top! Pull all basting stitches as one.
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JanieV
Posted on: 9/14/13 4:44 PM ET
You can also zigzag over a piece of clear elastic. I use a piece that is slightly longer than the piece that the ruffles are to be attached (aka, the bodice of a dress) so that I can have a handle. Then just pull the elastic as you zigzag. The ruffles usually come out pretty even this way.
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“I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that God holds the future.”
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Sewing with my lovelies: Pfaff Performance 5.0, Pfaff Passport 3.0, Babylock Imagine and BLCS, Brother PE770 and a chorus of vintage Singers
Marie Killilea, _With Love from Karen_
Sewing with my lovelies: Pfaff Performance 5.0, Pfaff Passport 3.0, Babylock Imagine and BLCS, Brother PE770 and a chorus of vintage Singers
Posted on: 9/15/13 6:09 AM ET
I grew up using 2 rows of very long basting stitches. A few years ago I tried the zig zag over elastic string and it was OK.
I saw a trick by Nancy Z that I use now. She pulls out a long length of bobbin thread and zz's over it.
Set for a long length. Now up enough bobbin thread so that it is as long as your fabric piece (works best when under 2 ft). Now lay the bobbin thread under the presser foot and towards you along the fabric edge you will be sewing. Begin zz stitch over it. You may need to hold the bobbin thread as it enters the feed dog area with enough tension so that the zz will clear both sides.
I have found this very useful for little girl and doll dress and short ruffles on craft or home dec. I dont need to leave or even configure the machine. I have occasionally caught the bobbin thread in a zz now and then and it still works.
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I saw a trick by Nancy Z that I use now. She pulls out a long length of bobbin thread and zz's over it.
Set for a long length. Now up enough bobbin thread so that it is as long as your fabric piece (works best when under 2 ft). Now lay the bobbin thread under the presser foot and towards you along the fabric edge you will be sewing. Begin zz stitch over it. You may need to hold the bobbin thread as it enters the feed dog area with enough tension so that the zz will clear both sides.
I have found this very useful for little girl and doll dress and short ruffles on craft or home dec. I dont need to leave or even configure the machine. I have occasionally caught the bobbin thread in a zz now and then and it still works.
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Needlework brings joy and meaning to my life...member of ASG
Now using: Singer 301, Pfaff 6152 & BL Enlighten serger
Now using: Singer 301, Pfaff 6152 & BL Enlighten serger
Posted on: 9/15/13 9:25 AM ET
I use my clear foot
( it is the one used to do embroidery or zigzag stitching. There is a hollow under the centre of the foot)
and longest stitch length, Tighten the top tension , put your finger behind the presser foot, to help the fabric bunch up, and sew.
You can adjust the fullness by shortening the stitch length, or tightening or loosening the tension.
N.B. if you use your regular foot it will not work. It is designed to prevent bunching up.
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( it is the one used to do embroidery or zigzag stitching. There is a hollow under the centre of the foot)
and longest stitch length, Tighten the top tension , put your finger behind the presser foot, to help the fabric bunch up, and sew.
You can adjust the fullness by shortening the stitch length, or tightening or loosening the tension.
N.B. if you use your regular foot it will not work. It is designed to prevent bunching up.

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If it can be done with a needle and thread, I can do it!
Posted on: 9/15/13 10:10 AM ET
Ugh! I have had plenty of issues with ruffles over the years. I finally got the ruffler going and it did not work out so well. 
We were taught the three basting threads and pull system. It does produce a nice, even ruffle, but if you are gathering 12 or 15 feet into 6 feet, it is tedious. Using a zig zag across a heavy thread or string seems to be the most reliable. Buttonhole thread is nice and sturdy so it pulls well without breaking.
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We were taught the three basting threads and pull system. It does produce a nice, even ruffle, but if you are gathering 12 or 15 feet into 6 feet, it is tedious. Using a zig zag across a heavy thread or string seems to be the most reliable. Buttonhole thread is nice and sturdy so it pulls well without breaking.
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Posted on: 9/15/13 2:28 PM ET
Get gathering foot. You adjust the density by stitch length and placing you finger behind foot to allow fabric to stay in feed dogs longer. This is how we did it for layers and layers of ruffles. It is fast and furious.
I just saw Pamela's suggestion with a embroider foot, I will have to try that.
I only do the basting rows when you want to control the gathers & vary then around the body to create specific shapes. Ie Bustles and bell shape skirts.or sleeve shapes.
For heavy fabrics or long lengths to be gathered, I use thicker bobbin thread to prevent breakage.
-- Edited on 9/15/13 2:31 PM --
I just saw Pamela's suggestion with a embroider foot, I will have to try that.
I only do the basting rows when you want to control the gathers & vary then around the body to create specific shapes. Ie Bustles and bell shape skirts.or sleeve shapes.
For heavy fabrics or long lengths to be gathered, I use thicker bobbin thread to prevent breakage.
-- Edited on 9/15/13 2:31 PM --
Posted on: 9/15/13 4:49 PM ET
Thank you, everyone! These are great. I'll try each suggestion with some scrap fabric. :)
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Evelyn: Pfaff Creative Performance
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