3 Tips For Using A Ruffler Foot by Dad Sews

3 tips on using a ruffler foot.
The ruffler foot is a great tool if you want to sew ruffles and not gather thread. This works great, but the ruffler foot has some issues coming out of the box.
For one, it is very tight. The video contains some tips on loosening it up, attaching with the proper tool, adjustments, and sliding in fabric past the teeth.
Don't forget: SEW. FAIL. REPEAT.
Check out DadSews.com for more videos and for parenting articles and videos, visit our main site, PlaidDadBlog.com.

[@vetpatches]

Thanks! The tip about putting a screwdriver under to lift the blades is what I needed to get mine working. It wouldn't feed the fabric and now it does!

[@DadSews]

AWESOME! Glad I could help!

[@janholman6192]

I just used my ruffler foot after over 20 years ago just the other day! It's for a Bernina, so it works a little differently than yours. I don't have that plastic knob/circular thingy on it, but something else in its place. It wasn't stiff coming out of the box when it was new. Lost the directions for it so went to KZbin to find how to use it again. It really is a fun little foot to work with! I used it to make "mini pleats" for the top of a fancy laundry bag (Yeah, you can make mini pleats too!) What a fun looking bag it is! Wish I could download a photo of it! 😊

[@antoinettejackson8013]

This channel is cute!! Also, I bought this same foot 6+ months ago and this is the first thing I've found to help me use it

[@DadSews]

AWESOME Antoinette! sEw glad I could help.

[@janicehicks3556]

Sew Fail Repeat! Ain't it the truth? I found my mom's Singer ruffler foot from the 1950's and wonder of wonders it works on my Brother! It only took me six years from the time of finding it to actually read up on how to use it. Thanks for your video, as well. Onward!

[@DadSews]

Awesome to hear stories like this Janice!!

[@leewaterbury-chappell7051]

Thanks! You saved me a visit to the nuthouse!

[@jhelnan8057]

Oh wow! This video took the scary out of finally actually USING my ruffler foot! Thanks Dad!

[@tead.9383]

Thank you very much!! I just got this foot yesterday using some coupons I had and I was a bit confused from the other videos on how to use it!!

[@sharonmars3747]

I love the simple instructions you gave. I will be watching. I have been sewing many years but you are never too old to learn. Look forward for more updates.

[@JayJones-eg2lz]

omg im having such a hard time with my ruffler. great video

[@DadSews]

Thank you Jay! If I can help, lemme know!

[@erincookie1959]

Thank you so much for posting! This helped a lot. That pleat prong is driving me nuts!

[@DadSews]

erincookie1959 Glad it helped! Thanks for watching.

[@karenfreeman5383]

Great tips! Thank you🤓

[@Bevaboo]

Thanks for the tips. I actually ran across your video while I was looking for some guidance on how to reassemble my ruffler. I don't know how I did it, but I somehow popped the screw out whilst I was trying to learn how to use this thing. I laughed when you came to the part about it being stiff out of the box. I'm a vintage sewing machine enthusiast, and I lucked into a fully loaded vintage Kenmore with all the attachments. After I paused the video for a good look at how the foot fits together, I stuck around for the tips. The screwdriver tip was awesome! Thanks so much!

[@lynnejones257]

Great tips. Thanks

[@kathleenvis1660]

Much more helpful than the 5 videos I watched before thank heaven for you 😊

[@abeforee4780]

Great info!

[@simplymichee7916]

You saved my life, thanks I couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t getting ruffles. 😆

[@2KITTIES-CLRR]

I know it will more than likely depend on how much ruffle you're wanting to make. But, I'm wondering how you determine the length your ruffled fabric needs to be when you're making a garment. In other words, I don't want to be in the middle of sewing a ruffle onto a garment and run out of the ruffle part before reaching the end of that area of the garment. 👍. TYSM for sharing this video with us. 😍❣️😻

[@dbnoir]

OMG thank you for making an actually helpful and condensed tutorial, this helped so much, just spent ages researching andall the other videos have stressed me out so much! Subscribed!

[@DadSews]

That was the goal - glad I helped!

[@indicamichelle736]

Dad sews!!!??? Omg this is EVERYTHING!!!

[@vivlee3840]

This is the one I got and the orange screw was ultra tight so I was glad to come across this! Thanks for a great video.

[@Thespiansewist]

Excellent suggestions and now off to ruffle I go

[@diana6842]

Thank you so much for these tips! I just bought a ruffler so I can (hopefully) make a crib dust ruffle with more ease than the old fashioned way of gathering fabric.

[@TomaGonzalez]

Thank you for the tips! I put mine away till further investigation because on the first try it was stiff as a board as you describe. Now I can actually get it back out of the box and use it. I thought it was damaged in shipping or something due to its stiffness.

[@DadSews]

Glad I could help Tamar!

[@TheDonnaIC]

I recently bent one of those little feet. I guess my material caught on it and bent the foot. I got have a Ruffler which I brought at JoAnn around $15.00 without the 40% off. I am glad to see your three points. I never knew what the orange dial was for. I am going to follow your lead breaking in and loosening my new ruffler. Good video.

[@melindachitty2638]

This helped a lot

[@liadanducky]

Omg you’re brilliant! Thank you! Also love the office space scene from your intro, actually made me laugh out loud this morning 😂

[@timeforalex]

Thank you! You save my day (and my fabric!!)

[@DadSews]

Alexia Aponte haha. So I'm a SUPER HERO? Awesome.

[@pamwarwick4577]

Love your video. Very helpful. My ticket is sticking very badly after working just fine. Resists moving. Any suggestions?

[@AellaSkiy]

OMG I haven't even watched the video, but I love your office space intro XD

[@DadSews]

Thanks so much! You can check out the full version at DadSews.com/OfficeSpace

[@shelliestone989]

Thanks so much for the tips!! The little screwdriver to lift the blades was just great!

[@nelly42442]

Thanks for your tips love it

[@annaibarra3447]

Thanks, I've seen for years but just been so nervous at using new tips for me. I get stuck in the antiquity times! 🤣

[@DadSews]

Try new things Anna.... they won't bite!

[@annaibarra3447]

Well I have, like to see your errors, Lol, to see I'm not alone on messing up! 🤣 I made my first ruffle dress using the same ruffler foot you have! I saw your video, 3 times and the 4th is when I "man" up! 😄 I did it! 🙌🏽

[@irenelesueur7488]

Thank you sew much !!!! I definitely needed these tips👍 Go Dad!!!

[@grandmalovesmebest]

Got it! Kisses! Everyone one showed how to put the fabric into the ruffled but nobody said how to do it when the fabric didn't go in! 'Fraid I saturated w oil (not my fault!) but now I can use it w ease. Thanks!😙🤗🙋

[@slab6046]

Excellent, just got it today and thought OMG!

[@gracebe235]

If my homEc teacher had been as articulate and personable as you, I would have learned to live sewing a few years sooner. She had a mustache too, but she was just mean. Lol!

[@quitethesoph3558]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@annapfeil8970]

I there a rule of thumb to calculate the length of fabric per ruffle setting? Thank you

[@someoldnew62]

Subscribed in seconds! Thumbs up to all dads that sew :)

[@injymohsen6467]

Hello I like your channel

[@carlyar5281]

These tips were great. Sadly my ruffled foot doesn’t consistently pick up the fabric and I can’t seem to make the depth of the gathers bigger regardless of the setting. 🙁

[@tash-4160]

totally just stalking all your videos! Love them!! That ruffled foot is so not my friend! I'll try again soon haha!

[@DadSews]

The Maney Family shhhhhhhb I'm doing the same to you hahahaha

[@adeboyegrillo3408]

Be careful not to wreck it though. It has subtle parts around the ratchet. Besides, the stiffness is not bad. The soft plastic screw prevents wear and is also gentle on you hands.

[@DadSews]

Great tips!

[@Sweetnlow19811]

Im trying to ruffle tulle but it keeps getting caught and pushed down into the needle plate. Any tips to avoid this?

[@mckeon1960]

Great thank you. I have a drop down shank is there an adapter and do you know the name thank you so much

[@irmae8016]

Dang thing looks like a tattoo gun..needle and movement..thanks for posting this.

[@DadSews]

HAHAHA. Great comment Irma!

[@RSP07204]

Tried to go to your website but the screen said there's a Critical Error on the website. Passing it along.

[@ArabianShalifa]

My dad is the one who taught me to sew 48-49 years ago. Wehen I was 10 or 11. Go sewing men!

[@DebraRobertslivinghi57]

Okay hope u can help. I have 2 different ruffle makers, need to know how to use the one on the right, please. Everyone has yours or more confusing. If I had one okay but I don't. So can u help?? Have a great weekend. Sorry thought.could add a pic. Thanks Debra

[@homefoodng]

Thanks. Please, is your sewing machine a high shank?

[@karencole8594]

When I use my ruffler the cotton tangles on the back of the material. Can someone explain why this is. Thankyou.

[@cnicg89]

Karen Cole me too, I wish I knew how to fix this 😢😢😢 I’m desperate to use mine

[@karencole8594]

Hi Carler Green, I still haven't worked it out yet, will continue trying. If I get it to work I will let you know.

[@africamia4ever]

Wonderful

[@Romero4889]

Thanks for the tips! I was able to loosen it up and it moves smoother. But for some reason the underside of my fabric looks like a bird nest with the ruffle foot. If I change to a regular foot it stitches cleanly on both sides. Any suggestions?

[@nikkikoch2345]

what do i do if my fabric guide isn't pulling the fabric through the foot? the foot is down, but ut just isn't doing anything

[@debbiegroves2649]

Great information. Do you mind sharing the purchase link for your ruffler foot. I am overwhelmed by the options on ebay and want one that works

[@DadSews]

I believe it was purchased at JoAnn's Fabric.

[@angelamichelleperez]

Which brand ruffle foot you got? Link?

[@aleman1961]

What could I do if the hole for the needle on the ruffler does not coincide with the needle whether the needle is centered or on the side???? Any tip or advise?????

[@DadSews]

I don't know Juan. Haven't seen that before. What model?

[@yuichitaniguchi1221]

same problem here

[@MeenasHappyLife]

Juan Aleman make sure it's on a straight stich.

[@aleman1961]

Sorry guys I did not get back to you before. I just saw the replays. Thank you all!!! yes, it was on straight stitch, it seems that the ruffler was defective. It was not an specific brand, it was one of those generic you buy on Amazon from China. I have purchased other presser feet for different sellers from HK and they all have worked fine including the flower stitch but the ruffler did not work just because the needle never coincided with the whole on the ruffler. I trashed it and they refunded my money because they did not have an answer or a solution for it. I have not tried to buy any other of those cheap ones afraid that they will have the same problem. I guess eventually I will have to spend the money getting the authentic Janome one, but now it is not a priority. Thank you guys!!!!!

[@DadSews]

Juan Aleman Glad you solved it!

[@suzy_the_cockatoo]

I have a problem with it not picking up the bobbin thread when using this foot.

[@debbiegroves2649]

Thanks for a great tutorial. Love your videos!! So i finally got my ruffler foot and right out of the box I did all of what you said, all the parts move and seem to be working as yours does and the the fabric is moving, but for some reason my threads don't make a stitch. Any idea why?

[@DadSews]

Phoebe, I'm not sure why based on what your describing. Maybe if I saw a video of it working? There are definitely defective feet, so that could be the issue. Also, I've seen a few different kinds of ruffler foot. Another version may work best for your machine.

[@melissawilfong7176]

Its easy to forget to actually drop the pressure foot and that usually what happens when I forget.

[@TheJudeJane]

Thread goes UNDER the ruffler presser foot and toward the BACK of your machine. Lower the ruffler. Do NOT back stitch! Slowly turn the fly wheel to make sure the needle goes in hole. If not, turn first screw located on the right to move the actual metal plate left or farther right to get the hole and your needle aligned. Test manually to make sure needle clears the metal and goes down the hole ok. Get a screwdriver and make sure needle clamp screw is good'n'tight. This baby is gonna MOVE as the needle bar goes up-and-down and blades go back-and-forth to create tucks in the fabric. Needle will loosen unless good and tight! Don't need a needle to fly in your face. This dude didn't mention all these REAL important tips...so I did. Okay, get ruffling and pleating!

[@hawkeyeannieful]

Aren't you suppose to put the fabric to be ruffled over the first bar, under the second bar,over the third bar and then under the rest of the ruffles?

[@MeenasHappyLife]

What should the tension be set to?

[@DadSews]

It's really going to depend on your machine and the thickness of your fabric. Sorry I can't give you an exact number setting!

[@mondyadey8028]

Cant use mine because it wouldn't fit in any other sewing machines I have.

[@kanchonchowdhury7369]

Bangladesh jorori sel plz

[@jackiethegoldenretriever]

I have computerize brother can i use this type foot ?

[@pallana3701]

Mine won’t grip

[@melissastitches897]

Just bought a ruffler foot for my machine and it isn’t working. It seems very flat to the surface? Ugh hoping to loosen it up and see if this helps me. 😭

[@DadSews]

Yeah, some are too tight out of the box.

[@TheJudeJane]

It's supposed to be "flat" after you lower it to sew. No need to pull on it like this dude keeps saying. See my other tips. They are on here as a reply to someone else, but would probably help you, especially where I talk about the hole the needle needs to go through so it doesn't strike the metal edge if your ruffler. Good luck!🍀👍🏽

[@nanaynitamtam2400]

Thanks but idk why mine always breaks my needles

[@mialemon6186]

This comment is old but if anyone else has this issue: Make sure it’s firmly in place. Take the ruffler off and put it back on. Make sure your needle is still tightly in place. The first attempt mine was not fully in place and the ruffler had it all fucked up. After that, use the hand wheel and gently turn to find out where it’s hitting. Something might be mis adjusted or the ruffler is defective. Works on my 1951 singer clone without breaking needles.

[@meenushreedharan3986]

Only 12 works for me , how to use 6 and 1

[@quitethesoph3558]

Did you figure this out? I tried using mine today and it's only successfully working on "1" for me. 🤔

[@meenushreedharan3986]

@@quitethesoph3558 no I dint not.. I bought new foot

[@I.M-x4s]

I used this foot.the normal straight stitch was ok but when I started ruffle the bobbin thread tangled at the bottom side. Can u plz tell me how can I fix it?