Just got my gathering foot.

[Sophia1212]

I am really excited about this!! I just took it for a testdrive and there are a lot of ???s but it works awesome. I still can't figure out how you are supposed to know how much ruffling you need to do to get it to match the other part of the garment you want to add it to. Does that question make sense? I mean, like, if I am making a dress and I need a ruffle to match the circumference of the bodice... how do I know how much ruffling I need the skirt strip of fabric. I can really only go by trial and error, right? I actually took a 10inch strip of fabric and set it to the max stitch length to see how much it would gather up and it's right about half so the length became 5inches. That's sort of helpful if I'm just doing a free pattern tiered ruffled skirt, but if I'm using a pattern that "dictates' how much I have to cut, I can't see how I would make the appropriate adjustments without messing up a few times...

am I making any sense? Is there anyone out there that uses the gathering foot and knows the tricks?

[QTip]

I am really excited about this!! I just took it for a testdrive and there are a lot of ???s but it works awesome. I still can't figure out how you are supposed to know how much ruffling you need to do to get it to match the other part of the garment you want to add it to. Does that question make sense? I mean, like, if I am making a dress and I need a ruffle to match the circumference of the bodice... how do I know how much ruffling I need the skirt strip of fabric. I can really only go by trial and error, right? I actually took a 10inch strip of fabric and set it to the max stitch length to see how much it would gather up and it's right about half so the length became 5inches. That's sort of helpful if I'm just doing a free pattern tiered ruffled skirt, but if I'm using a pattern that "dictates' how much I have to cut, I can't see how I would make the appropriate adjustments without messing up a few times...

am I making any sense? Is there anyone out there that uses the gathering foot and knows the tricks?

You totally are making sense. But, I don't know the answer. That is sort of why I wasn't so thrilled with mine, it uses so much more fabric because it makes a great ruffle, kwim? I was thinking of making a bunch of strips of ruffle to use for different patterns, so I could just have it ready when I got the whim for a ruffle.

Have fun!

[BC-flowergirl]

Of course....I don't know... but I can't wait to see what you do!!!

[katrack]

Your questions are exactly why I didn't do much with the one I had access to years ago. I'm hoping you come up with a fantastic explanation so I can covet your gatherer.

[littlecalista]

I think we're all waiting for YOU to figure it out and clue us in!

[Sophia1212]

@#$%^&*($%^&*&^%$#@#$%^&*&^%$#!!!!!!!

... is all i have to say right now.

ok, back to my @#$%^&*ing machine with the #^&**&^%$ing new gathering foot that I want to beat the crap out of right now.

$%^&*&^%$#$%^&*!!!!!!!

can someone stitch UGH?

[BC-flowergirl]

lmbo!!!!!!!

[Sophia1212]

ok... stickaforkinmeimdone.

I still have no idea how to calculate it. while the gathers using the foot is faster and more even, It's like sewing with my eyes closed and my thumbs tied together. I have NO idea what I'm doing even though I know what I am supposed to be doing.

will take photos tomorrrow. I made the elastic waist WAAAAAYYY too small and I think it will look a little odd on though. Will make a few more for practice.

[Sophia1212]

Ok, here it is.

I made it to match the lone top I had.


hmm... looking at it on, I think I am going to shorten the top tier. It falls a little weird. Could be bc the elastic is tight though. hmmm...

[katrack]

That's a cute skirt. I agree the top tier looks off. I think it's because it is relatively tight on her (not necessarily the elastic, but the whole tier). If you shorten the tier it will bring the second, larger one up a bit and it would look perfect.

A tiered skirt was a great idea while you're figuring that foot out.