Ruffler Foot Tutorial

I have had a lot of people request instruction on

how to use a ruffler foot on their sewing machine.

So, I am happily obliging that request

by providing a tutorial.

First of all... if you don't have a ruffler foot...

you need one!  They're amazing in every way!

Have your sewing machine ready?

Yes, the above is my new sewing machine.  :)  

OK, here we go...

First thing you need to do is remove the boot & the foot

on your sewing machine... like so:

Say hello to the ruffler foot...

I assure you it's saying hello back.  :)

OK.  See this screw below?  The screw that essentially

holds the needle in place?

Good.  Now see this part of the ruffler foot...

it looks like a wrench ...

OK.  The wrench looking piece needs to

go onto the screw that holds the needle.

Basically, it looks like that wrench piece is grabbing the screw.

Like so:

OK.  Now, once that wrench looking piece

is "grabbing hold" of the screw that holds the needle

{I have no idea what it's called... can you tell}

then the ruffle foot will have no choice but to

end up wrapped around where the boot would normally go.

If that makes no sense, email me.

I couldn't get a good picture.

Anyway... the ruffler foot comes with a long screw

like this one:

Tighten the screw.  Make sure that ruffler foot is on their

nice and snug.  But don't over tighten, or you

could accidentally strip the screw.

It will look like this:

We are almost ready to make ruffles!

But not quite yet.

See this?

This "tells" the foot how often to make a ruffle.

Now you need to decide how much you want

your fabric ruffled.

Once you decide that, you're ready to sew!  :)

There is a little slot in this foot.

That is where you put your fabric in.

If you don't, it will only sew.  There will be no ruffle making.

Ok.  So as pictured above.  Slide the fabric in the slot, and

push it up and under the "claw".  I push mine all the way until

the fabric is right under the needle.

Now... start sewing, and watch the magic happen.

Because I assure you.  It's quite magical!

Told you.  :)

A couple things I recommend...

Make sure your bobbin is FULL before

putting the ruffler foot on.  Just trust me.

Make sure your bobbin is loaded correctly.

Or your machine will throw up

bobbin thread at you.  Trust me on this one too.

Make sure your needle lines up above the

opening in the foot, or your

needle with jam and wrap around your fabric.

Resulting is a broken needle and frustration.

Again, trust me once more!

How much are ruffler feet?

For the Singer they're anywhere from $15-$30

For Viking they're $80

Not sure about other machines.

Mine was $80.  And worth every. single. penny.

Come back and tell me if you tried

using a ruffler foot!

Better yet... share pictures of your projects!!  :)

Happy Sewing!