A little trick

I own one of these

Do you recognize it?  It is a ruffler.  I have read all the info and even downloaded a little manual that gives very good directions on the proper attachment and use of a ruffler.  It even has pictures!  Well, I did exactly everything the manual said to do and I was not happy with the ruffles it made.  I make a ruffle on one of the wristlets I make for my business.  I have been setting the stitch on the longest length and gathering everything up but I knew there had to be a better way.  I had also tried tightening the tension to the highest level but it didn't ruffle the fabric enough.  I had read about another technique somewhere but gave it a try for the first time this past weekend.

I set my stitch length at it's longest setting (5) so that adjusting my ruffles would be easier.  Then I started sewing with my index finger laying on the thread at the top of the thread path.

I placed my finger on the thread at the point I indicate above with the red arrow.  (Look at me - adding graphics!!)

I watched the fabric gather  behind the foot and started lifting my finger up and down to adjust the ruffling.  It worked great!  I tied off the end of the basting stitch at one end and then just adjusted the ruffle to the exact length I needed.

Perhaps one day the planets will align and I will have the time to use the ruffler properly.  In the interim, the "cheap" way will work just fine.

Weekend away

I just returned from my sister's farm in Potter County.  My sister and her husband invited me to come up to the mountains and I was delighted to be able to go.  I love it up there and it is always a treat to spend a little time away especially when there is snow everywhere!

I brought my sewing machine and a few projects.  Unfortunately, Julie thought she had left a machine there but had not so we took turns stitching on my machine.  It was sort of a tag team operation.  I cut and pieced the baby sized version of Snap Shot.

I have a great niece or nephew expected in a few months.  This may or may not be a gift.

Oh, notice that fuzzy section of the picture round about the white graphic print?  Somehow my new camera had a smudge on the lens and I didn't notice it until I downloaded the photos.  Now to figure out how to get the little greasy spot off the lens and not scratch it!