The Easiest Way to Gather Fabric

No, really.  This is the easiest way to do it.  I love ruffles, but I have always hated having to sit there and pull on the gathering thread to create the ruffles at just the right length.  This method requires very little adjusting to make perfect ruffles! 

Start by setting your stitch length as long as it will go.  Mine goes up to "4."

Next, set your upper thread tension as high as it will go.  My regular setting is "3", but when I gather fabric, I set it to "9."

 

This is the trick to really get your fabric to make great ruffles.  Using your thumb, create a gentle pressure on the spool of thread while you're sewing your gathering stitch.  Lighter fabrics will need barely any pressure, heavier fabrics will need more.   

Voila!  Beautiful, perfect gathers, ready for pinning!  You may have to adjust the gathers slightly depending on the length of the fabric you are pinning the ruffle to, but starting out with gathers like this makes it SO much easier!

Good: The traditional way of gathering.  Set your stitch length as high as it will go.  

Better: Set your stitch length and your upper thread tension as high as they will go.

Best: Set your stitch length and upper thread tension at the highest settings and apply pressure to the spool of thread with your thumb.

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