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Home » Sewing Tips » How to Gather on the Serger Without a Fancy Foot or Attachment

How to Gather on the Serger Without a Fancy Foot or Attachment

February 23, 2015 By marissa 6 Comments

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Love this easy trick for how to gather on the serger without using an attachment - Rae Gun Ramblings

You know those times that you’re hanging out with a friend and she shows you a craft trick that you know is going to make your life a ton easier? Well I have one of those for you today. I gather on my serger all the time without using a special foot. And while I’m sure those are fine and dandy I’m lazy, I don’t really feel like learning how to use something, and my way is super fast and effective. Actually I have two ways for you. One which involves turning a few knobs (super easy and still lazy) and the other that involves no adjustment of your machine settings at all (the ultimate lazy method).

craft gossip thank you

But, before we get to that I wanted to give a shout out to an awesome sewing supporter that works behind the scenes that you may not know of but that you’ve almost certainly have benefited from: Anne Weaver. She is the sewing editor over at Craft Gossip (super awesome craft site that features all kinds of great tutorials and tricks).

anne weaver from craft gossip with marissa of rae gun ramblings

Fun fact I used the gathering trick I’m sharing on the dress I’m wearing in this pic from Sewing Summit where I met Anne in person.

I have found so many great tutorials and projects over the years thanks to Anne. And more than that I know that a lot of you have found ME and my little bit of the internet here at Rae Gun Ramblings because Anne has shared a project of mine over at Craft Gossip and for that I’m so so grateful! Thanks Anne! A bunch of sewing blogger friends and I are dedicating our posts today as a big thank you to Anne and Craft gossip and their part in making the online sewing community a great place. You can see everyone else’s posts here.

One Step Serger Gathering (without a special foot)

How to gather fabric on a serger without changing any settings or feet in just one step - Rae Gun Ramblings

Now are you ready for my super duper easy, one step, you don’t have to change a single setting or foot on your serger trick? Ready, don’t blink because it’s so fast and easy. Here goes, pinch the needle threads while you serge. Yup that’s all.

It might take you a few tries to figure out how tight to pinch the thread but if you pinch the needle thread while you go essentially you’ll up the tension and force that fabric to gather. You’ll learn that different fabrics require different amounts of pressure but after a while you’ll get the hang of it and be able to control how much it gathers with a simple wave or ahem pinch of the fingers! I find this technique works best for lightweight gathering or for small pieces for example when you are gathering sleeves or a ruffle on a skirt. For more heavy duty gathering like with full skirts I prefer to use another cheater gathering method that you do on the sewing machine.

Another Way to Gather Fabric on Your Serger That’s Just as Easy

Great tricks and cheats for gathering - Rae Gun Ramblings

Okay but if you have a lot of gathering to do like I do with all the ruffles I make for my Etsy shop your arm might get tired pinching the thread. Granted I did it that way for years and I was fine but if you don’t mind turning some knobs you can save some arm strength. Gathering on the serger is awesome because when you’re done the edge is finished AND you’re done gathering, bam time saved!

Steps for gathering on a serger without a special attachment or foot - Rae Gun Ramblings

If you’re serger has a differential feed setting put it on the highest setting. If not don’t even worry my ultra lazy way above doesn’t need that or you can try it without this step and see if it still works it just might.

Tricks for gathering on a serger without a special attachment or foot - Rae Gun Ramblings

Next make the tension on both needle threads very high.

How to gather on a serger without a special attachment or foot - Rae Gun Ramblings

Finally set your stitch length to very long.

Great tutorial for how to gather on a serger without a special attachment or foot - Rae Gun Ramblings

Serge away and you should see your fabric being gathered as you go. Make sure to leave a long tail at both ends in case you want to loosen up the gathers. You can also pull on the needle threads to gather it more tightly when you’re done. It may take some fiddling with the tension number but it’s as easy as that!

Two super easy ways to gather on a serger without extra feet or attachments - Rae Gun Ramblings

Don’t have a serger but thinking of buying one? Here are my tips for buying a serger that you will actually use! Tips and tricks to buying a serger you'll actually use and love - Rae Gun RamblingsGot a bit more fabric to gather? I’ve got another cheater gathering method for you to check out that you do on the sewing machine!

hands down the best trick for gathering fabric on the sewing machine - Rae Gun Ramblings

Let’s connect! You can also find me hanging out here.

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Comments

  1. Jess Abbott says

    February 23, 2015 at 6:38 am

    Oh my goodness – this is GENIUS Marissa!!! I am so going to give this a try!!!

    Reply
    • marissa says

      February 25, 2015 at 12:00 am

      I hope you like it. Seriously it’s the best for my lazy girl sewing style.

      Reply
  2. Dona says

    February 24, 2015 at 6:22 am

    Well! Aren’t you the life saver? Thanks SO much for this tip!!

    Reply
    • marissa says

      February 24, 2015 at 11:59 pm

      yay I hope you like it. I seriously use this method all the time!

      Reply
  3. Anne says

    February 24, 2015 at 9:11 am

    Mind. Blown. I had no idea you could just pinch the threads!! Ruffles on everything now!! I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for later this morning that links to your tutorial:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-2-easy-ways-to-gather-fabric-on-your-serger/2015/02/24/
    THANK YOU for such an amazing surprise with these posts!! And how fun you pulled out that photo from Sewing Summit. I had such a great time hanging out with you!
    –Anne

    Reply
    • marissa says

      February 24, 2015 at 11:58 pm

      Yes put ruffles on everything SOOO much easier than basting! ANd you are the best!!!!

      Reply

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Thanks for visiting my blog. I'm an auntie, crafter, philosopher (no really I've got a degree), sinner saved by grace, lover of food, devourer of YA fiction and new mommy. I love sharing the things that make me smile, my going-ons, and my little Etsy shop with you.
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