I’m always down for something to make my life easier. When it comes to gathering fabric, sewing machine gathering feet do just that.
Types Of Gathering Feet
I grabbed a couple of different styles of gathering feet. As you can see, the one on the left is a snap-on; whereas, this other one is a low shank screw on. Depending on your machine, the style and size of gathering feet can drastically range, but as with many presser feet, the style may vary, but it accomplishes the same thing.
How Do You Install Gathering Feet?
This particular snap-on foot installs slightly differently from other snap-on feet. It’s not hard, but it’s good to know that it won’t just snap on - like you’re used to. With the zig-zag foot, there is only one bar; whereas, the snap on gathering foot has two bars. To attach the gathering foot, push up the presser foot lifter and hold it in its highest position. Hang the rear pin of the foot on the spur of the foot holder. Slowly lower the foot lifter slowly until it snaps in. Keep in mind, this applies to this particular snap on. Some of them are just as easy as popping on your zig-zag foot.
For the low shank screw on option, that will likely be a familiar process, but you would unscrew the shank, remove, and screw on the new foot.
Machine Settings When Using The Gathering Foot
Select a straight stitch on your machine. You will also need to increase your stitch length. Lastly, increase your tension. Because every machine's buttons and dials are different, I suggest playing on scraps with different stitch lengths and different thread tensions prior to moving onto your actual project.
Longer stitches and increased thread tension will result in the fullest amount of gathers.
What Do They Look Like?
There are also different types of gathering feet. Some will have a slot. This allows you to gather the bottom fabric, while leaving the top fabric flat. One easy step. Not every gathering foot has this slot.
How Do They Work?
For a single layer gather, after you have made the proper adjustments, lower your sewing machine needle in the fabric, and you can simply place your fabric under the gathering foot and begin sewing.
If you do not have enough gathers, you can increase your stitch length and tension and try again; otherwise, you can pull the top needle thread. Then you can manipulate the gathers as needed.
Now, for the two layers of fabric. Begin the same way, except, insert the top layer of fabric right side down. Make sure that the bottom layer stays straight and the top layer stays all the way in the slot. This can take a little practice, but keep at it; it's totally worth it.
I hope you've learned something about gathering feet and this helps you easily gather your fabric. Until next time, Happy Sewing, Everybody!
