Ruffler attachment issue
 

I'm recovering a rocking chair w/indoor-outdoor fabric, which is heavier than cotton. My ruffler does not want to pleat the ruffle. It will only stitch a straight seam. And then the needle is continuously falling out, despite my tightening it. I tested the ruffler on other fabrics and it seems to work fine. I'm wondering if a serger can help me out with the gathering. Any suggestions?

Sometimes rufflers are very fuzzy with the thickness of the fabric. I have no experience with ruffling but you can always try. I would just do a long stitch and gather up the fabric then stitch over it again so it stays in place. Good Luck.

You can also take a piece of light weight string/heavy thread, lay it on your fabric & zig zag over it (don't catch it in the stitching). Pull the string/thread and create your gathers.

What type of machine do you have? I have a Viking and I know how my ruffler works. Mine would struggle with outdoor fabric too. Sergers can ruffle too. You can buy a ruffler foot for certain sergers. Look it up online to see if one is available for your serger.

A heavier fabric would probably be better tucked or pleated than ruffled. I would be more concerned about the needle falling out. What brand and model of machine are you using?

Does the ruffle have to be pleated? I have successfully gathered on my Husqvarna 936 serger both by following the directions in the manual and doing it the old fashioned way - gathering on a thread/cord run through the serger's stitching.

Here's to success!

Pat

Your suggestion is one that I have done in the past and works great.

I have noticed that on the newer machines, the ruffled does seem to loosen the needle screw. the older machines are more simple, and there aren't so many small parts to vibrate loose. The way machines are made is different, but the rufflers look exactly the same whether old or new. I wish someone would design an updated model to work better with the newer machines. I pull out a vintage machine when I want to make ruffles without frustration!

Ruffler foot
 

I have a Pfaff machine. Discovered that pleating the fabric (since it's so heavy) is better than trying to ruffle it or gather it. Experimented with both the serger and the sewing machine. . . .even zig zaging over a heavy thread. Thanks for your suggestion.