Gathering Fabric

[@auntmayme8119]

Finally! Clear instruction on how a differential feed works. Thank you!

[@GailPatriceDesign]

Beth P Thanks Beth. Differential feed is a wonderful Serger feature and once you understand how to adjust it, you’ll get great results. Be sure to ALWAYS test your settings on scrap project fabric first. On knits, test it lengthwise and crosswise as each direction may need a different setting. Thanks!

[@TheClaycel1]

I love your videos you explained well thank u..my husband bought me a sewing machines I dont even know how to use them so I look around in youtube to learn and I found your videos...Thank you for the tips...

[@GailPatriceDesign]

You're welcome-I'm glad you found the Serger Tip Clips and glad they're helpful. Be sure to ask any questions you think of and thanks for watching. Glad to help you!

[@fayelh2508]

Enjoying your videos Gail. I have your craftsy class and would like to see another video from you.

[@lizyanni6915]

Thank you, it makes sense. I know that I can gather, I tried with lighter fabric and it was pretty cool.

[@GailPatriceDesign]

Liz Yanni great! Let me know if you need more help!

[@Joy4650B]

Hi Gail. Does knit fabric work the same way as the cotton?

[@GailPatriceDesign]

Hi Joy, Each fabric behaves differently and the amount of gathering can vary widely depending on fabric weight and how soft or stiff it is. But knit fabrics will definitely gather. Test your fabric in the same direction (crosswise or lengthwise) that you’ll stitch your actual project. Take extra care not to stretch the fabric while stitching. Let me know if you need more help and thanks for watching Serger Tip Clips!

[@GailPatriceDesign]

Thanks very much! If you have a request for a future Tip Clip, be sure to email me.

[@snyyng]

Could you explain how to achieve a specific finished length on the ruffled edge?

[@GailPatriceDesign]

There isn't a specific "formula" for finished lengths of a ruffle. It is variable depending on the weight, crispness and type of fabric. My best advice is to cut at least 2-3 times the desired finished length, gather the fabric and determine whether you need more or less length. It would be very handy to have a way to determine finished length, but every serger gathers slightly differently too which has to be factored into the technique. Let me know if you have more questions and I realize it's rather annoying not to have a perfect answer to a serger question-thanks!

[@snyyng]

Thank you. I think I’ll take 12 inches of fabric and ruffle with the serger, then measure the finished length just to get a rough estimate. I truly appreciate your videos. Thanks for your time and efforts!

[@GailPatriceDesign]

snyyng Take a 20inch length-it will give you a more accurate idea (and the math is easier)!

[@bevmcmullen8758]

Lovely tutorial thanks Gail. My problem is, (and I'm sure it's something I'm doing wrong) that the gathering process on my Babylock serger works really well, but when I come to stitching the gathered piece to the flat piece of fabric, it straightens out the gathers. I've tried using my sewing machine instead of my serger to join the two pieces but the same thing happens. Now I just gather on my sewing machine but I get frustrated when I see how simple it should be. Thank you again xx

[@maggiem4734]

Nice technique! Ty

[@GailPatriceDesign]

Thanks very much!

[@catllionare]

What settings did you set for your loops and needles?

[@GailPatriceDesign]

My serger doesn't have tension settings. But if yours does, you will increase both right and left needle tensions above the normal settings. Check your owner's manual for suggested settings because they vary widely among different brands and models of machines. The looper tensions stay on a normal setting. Also the fabric type will affect gathering. The higher the needle tension, the tighter the gathers will be. On some machines I've raised the tensions above 7 and on others, 5 is high enough. So experimenting is important to get the results you want. Be sure to leave long thread chains at the beginning and end in case you need to loosen the gathers. Let me know if you need more help. Thanks, Viviane!

[@lizyanni6915]

I am having problems with gathering fabric. The lighter fabric gathers nice but the fabric that is cotton fabric does not gather as nicely. The setting are right.

[@GailPatriceDesign]

Liz Yanni hi Liz, some fabrics will gather better than others. If your fabric is heavier or has a crisp finish, it might not gather as easily. What machine do you have and settings? Also, be sure you are handling the fabric lightly. If it doesn’t gather well on your serger, switch to traditional gathering on your sewing machine. Let me know if you need more help. Thanks for watching Serger Tip Clips.!

[@SewSusie]

Your going to trim 1/8” where? And why?

[@GailPatriceDesign]

Hi Susie, the knife will trim off along the right edge of fabric. By trimming off whatever amount you wish, you'll have a nice, clean edge under the overlocked stitches. Let me know if you have more questions-thanks for watching!

[@SewSusie]

Gail Yellen oh, ok got it. Thank you!

[@GailPatriceDesign]

You're welcome-glad to help!

[@aliaal7181]

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