Singer and Juki sewing machines and sergers, needles for every need and KwikSew Patterns are just a few of the items available at Edmonton Sewing Centre. In addition Edmonton Sewing Centre is excited to annouce that they are now a service center for Rowenta Irons, ideal for quilters of all levels.
Rowenta Iron
Burst of steam provides a powerful burst that penetrates even the most difficult fabrics
Includes storage bag for easy storage or travel
Dry or steam ironing
High precision tip delivers steam and pressing into hard-to-reach areas
Large transparent water tank
Folding handle folds flat for storage or traveling
Dual voltage - Perfect for travel, provides powerful steam at 120 volts and 240 volts
Microsteam 200 stainless steel soleplate
There is an impressive array of presser feet available to perform a variety of tasks. They are designed to help you achieve professional results while saving time and effort. And presser feet are available for both your serger and sewing machine. Blind Hemmers, Embroidery & Darning, Walking foot, Gathering foot, Rolled hem foot as well as others available for your sewing machine. For your serger, there are feet for beading, cording, shirring and more.
We are focusing on the Shirring/Gathering/Ruffling feet. To do this we are going to work on a project so we chosen a ruffled pillow.
This month we have chosen to focus on the Gathering foot. In the end your pillow should something like the picture. For those, who like me are visual, this pillow will be on display at Edmonton Sewing Centre. It is also inserted at the end of the instructions.
Here is a list of what you will need:
1 - pre-printed pillow fabric available from Edmonton Sewing Centre.
2 – .5 metre matching fabric for pillow backing and .5 metre to cut in lengths for ruffles. You will need 1.5 to 2 times the total length of the pillow. (You could use pre-printed pillow from above for both the front and back).
3 - A pillow form - come in various size squares
4 –A gatherer, shirring or ruffling foot for sewing machine or serger
5 – Various notions
To make this pillow I had 2 pre-printed 16” square pillow panels and contrasting fabric to use for the ruffle. (You
will need approximately 2 times the diameter of the pillow so 16” x 4 = 64 x 2 = 128).
The first thing you want to do is to trim the panels leaving a ¼”on three sides and one the fourth side you will need enough to turn in for your closure.
Sew the strips together and press those seams. Whether you use a sewing machine or serger you need to make a rolled hem on one edge of the 128” strip.
Now install the gatherer/ruffle/shirring foot to your machine. Once the strip has its rolled hem - take one of the 16” pre-printed panels so you can attach the strip. Sandwich these two pieces of fabric together with the strip on the bottom. With the strip on the bottom of the attachment and the panel in the upper slot and presser foot down – be sure your machine in set to straight stitch. (It is a good idea to test this on some waste fabric and also to check to be sure that the strip is the right side down) proceed to run the panel and strip through your machine. (I found it was best when
I didn’t start at a corner. And as you go around the corners allow some extra fabric for the ruffles.
Once you are satisfied with your ruffle – you will want to attach the front and the back together. Making sure that right sides are together and the ruffles are to the inside of the pillow stitch the 2 panels together leaving one edge to finish for inserting your pillow. Finish the open end. (I used Velcro for my closing).
Now you have a beautiful pillow for your couch or bedroom. Give it a try. If you have a problem and need to see a finish pillow there is one on display at Edmonton Sewing Centre. Yasmin will be happy to answer any question you might have. And think of all the possibilities that you can in which you these techniques.
Whether you use a sewing machine or a serger-you will find many uses for ruffles and gathering. From children's wear, to doll accessories to trendy clothing to home decor items, these techniques can be found in all categories. It used to take a little patience to achieve precise sewing results.
Now ruffles/gathers can be produced automatically while sewing, making this technique much faster and more enjoyable.
So why not give it a try!!
