Struggling with gathering - help?

[Katymac]

I'm doing a lot of gathering & the cotton is snapping too often to make my life easy

What am I best using to gather?
What setting on the machine?

TIA

[Flossyfloof]

Have you tacked It? I was taught to do two parallel rows of running stitch, knot at one end , tail at the other, then pull up gently and ease the gathers into the available space. Then you can tack or pin and sew.
Is that what you mean?

[Katymac]

2 parallel rows? Hmm that might work I've been doing 1

I wondered if the transparent thread might work

[Katymac]

& the thread snaps on that row - so 2 might work?

[Allalonenow]

Yes I agree that you need two rows of tacking, it gives a much more even gathering.

[steppingout]

You could zigzag over dental floss if you have any? It tends to be a bit stronger. You can still tie one end off and ease it along.

[Katymac]

That's interesting about dental floss

I've been making tiered skirts and I ended up gathering over 9 m - & the middle tier kept snapping so I want to sort it out for next time

Thanks

[FormerlyCatherineDeB]

I would do two rows on the longest stitch setting you have. Sew one row and then at the end of that row turn the fabric 90 degrees and sew one stitch, just one. Turn the fabric 90 degrees again and you can sew parallel back to the beginning.

I like to do it this way because you have got a closed end and both long pieces of thread are at the same end. I also change the bobbin thread colour, if you do that you can see the two bobbin threads really easily.

Have you got an old Singer? They often come with rufflers, I use mine whenever I have to do any ruffles.

Bernina make one for my new machine which sells at a ridiculous price, so I bought a low shank adapter for it and I use one of my Singer rufflers on my new machine as well.

If you are going to do a lot of ruffling it is worth buying one if you have got a machine it will work on.

www.helenhowes-sewingmachines.co.uk/rufflers.html

I have got a few but the 12-6-1 at £8 is my favourite.

I downloaded a pdf somewhere that tells you how much fabric you need for each ruffler setting, if I can find it I will post the link.

[Katymac]

I have a ruffler (I think)

But not a clue how to use it.......

[FormerlyCatherineDeB]

Yes , a ruffler, look at the bit nearest your thumb, that little bit sticking up is where you adjust the gathering.

My download is from ScientificSeamstress but the server must have changed so I can't link.

here is the replacement I think but you have got to log in for a free download (I didn't have to do that).

The singer manual has quite good instructions page 42-43.

Honestly, they are fab. I am making my sister a Christmas apron, she cooks lunch for up to 50 people in her house. I have chosen a vintage pattern with lots of ruffles (it is going to have Easter bunnies on the other side!

[Katymac]

Wow that's great

I'll have a good read Thank you