Ruffler/gathering foot \Do they make an automatic ruffling foot for the 8150? Would also need instruction on how to use as I've never owened an automatic one ....I've always just done it myself with basting stitches. Thanks PJ

You need a ruffler specialty foot. Buy according to whether you have a low or high shank machine.

Tension should not have a large affect on gathering other than one thread will lay on top of the fabric instead of both threads meeting in the middle of the fabric. There are several different kinds of gathering/ruffler feet, so it is difficult to address appropriately.

How To Use Gathering Foot

How to Use Gathering Foot 2 Ways The Sewing Rabbit

Gathering Foot VS Ruffler Foot Sewing Parts Online Everything Sewing...

Perhaps the ruffler foot is defective (a piece bent or something) that is causing the needle to deflect.Install a brand new needle. Make sure you are installing the ruffler foot properly, ie the fork needs to be around the needle holder.

How To Use Ruffler Foot
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You can use a ruffler foot if you have one. If you don't have the special foot zig zag over a piece of yarn. Put a knot in one end of the yarn (or hold it securely in place and pull the other end.

I was just reading in the manual for my antique Montgomery Ward Model 30. It described shirring using a ruffle foot. If we can extrapolate from this info you may be able to do shirring with yours. You'll need similar material scraps to practice.

It describes a "shirring plate" that essentially goes over the feed dog area and eliminates their pulling the fabric through. So to emulate this you'll need to lower the feed dogs. Look for a slide type switch either on the front or back of the machine near the needle area.

Attach your ruffler foot. The instructions say to remove the separator blade... that's the very bottom part of the attachment. On mine there's a screw that allows you to take that part off which only leaves the blade that tucks the fabric to make the ruffle. (hopefully modern machines have this ability) Make sure you place your screw and blade in a safe place. (I like to use masking tape... and tape it to a safe place)

Place the material between the feed dog area and the ruffler blade. Longer stitches mean bigger and more loose ruffles. So lets start with big ruffles.... set your stitch really long. Set your ruffler setting for the desired type of ruffle or Plait. Shirring is done with a single stitch plait or "gathering"

Ok here is where it gets a bit confusing because modern seamstresses don't have the variety of threads we used to (or can afford anyway) It says. "Thread bobbin with mercerized DMC floss No.3 keeping the bobbin tension loose, long stitches and thread top with stitching silk that contrasts strongly with the color of the DMC sot that the stitch of the bobbin thread will stand out clearly as a trim" It also suggests the use of the quilting guide to make your stitch rows evenly spaced.

So practice this technique on some scrap or similar materials. Good luck. ;)

usually a gathering foot or ruffler fits on like one would fit an old style foot. Unscrew the thumb screw that holds the snap on foot holder.... and place your foot making sure the needle holder thumb screw holds the lever on the other side. And tighten the thumb screw to hold on the foot.

Good luck.

Stitch length of 4, loosen your top tension by half a number and always pull up the bobbin threads.

If you need to gather yards of fabric then get a gathering foot. Janome make one - it looks like this


This foot is for creating soft gathers in lightweight fabrics. The underside of the foot is raised behind the needle and has a thick bar in front of the needle to gather the fabric. This works great to create the gathers as you sew. You can also gather and attach a ruffle onto a flat piece of fabric simultaneously, run the flat fabric through the top groove of the foot and the underneath fabric is gathered and stitched to the top piece, you need to keep the bottom piece feeding smoothly though so it takes practice to guide it evenly. Once mastered it is great to ruffle on valances and cushion frills.

Other option is use a ruffler foot, these will make a little ruffle every 12, 6 or 1 stitch so give a set result, and to obtain a more dramatic gather. They look like this.


The arm of the foot with a C'shape sits over the needle bar of the machine so it is moved up and down to activate the device. The little blade at the front moves backwards at regular intervals forcing a "tuck" of fabric into the feed to be stitched. Again you can ruffle and stitch to straight fabric at once but it is an art to master.

The weight of the fabric you are gathering is obviously the key variable, ginghams and poplins are lightweight so gather easily but if you need to gather something heavy like cordoroy it is going to be a battle and threads may break. If so, stitch two lines of gathers and don't try to do long runs, you'll just break a thread and have to start over.

Another good way is to zig zag over a length of perle cotton, taking care not to actually stitch the pearle at all. You can then gather up the fabric along it, this works well for heavier weights.

It is not the stitch length, but rather the thread tension that you change to do this neat little trick. Lower your thread tension to about 1, just enough so it won't birdsnest, then try again. You also might want to try an inexpensive ruffler foot (starting at about 15 dollars) or a shirring foot (around $5). These would help making toddlers and pleats a quicker, easier, more uniform task. ;)

Attach the foot to the machine, making sure you have the large hook over your needle bar. move the selection to the number you want to gather.... 1 is a small pleat gather, higher numbers are larger. the fabric is placed so that it goes over the bar underneath, then over the rest until under the sewing area. Try a sample first to see how it works. It really does make a nice ruffle.

Take the foot off and check for a small burr in the area that pushes the material through. If there is a burr, it will get caught, especially on lace. The burr can be removed with a very fine abrasive stone or the emery srea from a match pack.