what is wrong with me?
#22
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I teach sewing basics, and this is one of the things I always show my students, 3 rows of stitches 1/8 inch apart, on the basting stitch setting, leave long tails on each end, and wrap the ends around a pin at the end when done pulling up to make a figure 8, like a cleat. Now for the pulling part, do the seam line first (usually 1/2 to 5/8 inch), then do the one closest to the cut edge of the fabric, last do the center one, The trick is to support the fabric at the point you are gathering it on the thread, which means you are constantly moving your fingers down the row of stitches, DO NOT go past the center, instead go to the other unsecured end and pull back to the center, if you feel the fabric pulling hard, STOP and ease the jammed fabric open a bit, then continue pulling. You can make very long ruffles this way.
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#23
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 432
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I have found over years of clothes sewing for little girls, the best gathering is done by running two or three rows of stitches. If the area is very long, break it up at a seamline otherwise run one line at 6/8, another 1/4 " in and then another 1/4" in. Pull on bobbin thread, not top line. You can also sew over crochet thread or dental floss with a zigzag stitch. you do have to go back and take out the gathering lines outside your seam line but it is worth it for how nice it looks.
#24
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lowell, MA
Posts: 14,083
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I learned that the best way to get ruffles is to sew a large zig-zag stitch over a piece of quilting thread or other sturdy thread, dental floss, etc. I do have a ruffling attachment, but it's for a Singer, which I never used and I don't have that machine any more. Hope this helps.
#25
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Tallmadge, OH
Posts: 5,120
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I used to do 2 rows of zig zag stitching over a heavier thread. When you're done sewing - on one end wind the threads back and forth across/around a pin so you don't pull the threads out. Pull the zig zags at the other end and try to even out the gathers as you pull the threads. You could divide the ruffle into 4's and mark with pins. Do the same for whatever you're sewing the ruffle to and mark the pins. When you pull the threads to gather, match the pins on the ruffle and the pins on whatever you're sewing the ruffle to.
#27
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,391
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ok so to fu yesterday's post; the ruffles for the quilt bag; I thank you all for the techniques you suggested; so I sewed the longest stitch and increased my tension, well I started to pull the bobbin stitch and at first the ruffles started to look great, then as a con't to pull the string it popped! whhhhyyyyyyyy? is the tension too tight? do I have strong Shrek hands? I was trying to be as gentle as I could; it can't be this difficult, this kept happening so i said I said I was goin to forget the ruffles but without them the quilt bag does not look as nice, so has anyone ever tried elastic thread? and do you have to hand wind it on your bobbin?
Now put your tension back where it belongs. Sew these gathers to your garment or purse or whatever so that the seam line is somewhere in the middle of the gathering stitching.
It is so much fun watching the beautiful gathers take shape.
#29
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Pawcatucck, CT
Posts: 80
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Elastic thread won't give the full gathers you want. Did you use three rows of big stitches, secure one end by winding all three threads around a pin then pull gently from the other end - all three threads together. You pull the bobbin thread, not the top. As your gathers bunch up, hold the threads and slide the bunched gathers further toward the pinned end. When it's the length you want, wrap the threads around a pin and distribute the gathers evenly.
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