Sunday, June 7, 2009

Yes....It's True! You Can Teach An Old Dog New Tricks!!!!

Meet Sergio!
A well-loved and trusted old friend who has been with Bernice and I for 2 years now. They are my faithful sewing companions and trusted friends. Don't let Sergio's sexy appearance fool you, even with his slick looks... he is an animal!!! He serges beautifully and makes rolled edges like a pro and I love him to death. Well, the other day I discovered Sergio can do another trick. He can gather!!!.....(enter: sounds of angels and the heavens opening their gates)

I was on the phone with one of my best sewing buddies, Sabrina, and I was working on a new project for Abby, imagine that! I started wimping and moaning about the hours it was going to take to gather this very full skirt by hand when Sabrina asked if I had ever tried gathering on my serger. Wow....did I feel Blonde at that moment..."Nope, I've never tried it, in fact I completely spaced and forgot that you can use sergers for gathering!" I jumped up, grabbed my manual and read that with a few knob twists I could gather in seconds....Wow!!! I had to try it instantly. I carefully adjusted tensions, the differential, and stitch lengths and with great anticipation grabbed a piece of scrap fabric and placed it under the presser foot. I held my breath and crossed my fingers and stepped on the gas. I couldn't believe my eyes ...perfect little gathers were happening right before my very eyes. All those years of gathering by hand were flashing through my brain. Tangled messes of threads, fraying edges, and then painstakingly picking out running threads with my seam ripper...it was over, never ever will I have to do that again!!!

I used to loath gathering, even though I love the look and it's a necessary evil when making "girly" stuff. Now I LOVE it!!!!!! In fact I need to be careful and not overdo it. I am now looking at all my fabrics and thinking..."How would that look ruffled?"

Note: In no way, shape or form did I mean to hurt or insult anyone with Blonde hair. It was meant to be funny!

5 comments:

***Sharon*** said...

Thanks for this post! Not sure if you received my email a few days back asking about sergers? I'm on the hunt for a new one!

(Good for you - no more handgathering! Or at least a lot less of it? lol)

Dawn said...

Hi Sharon...no, I didn't receive it. But I wanted to ask you something anyway so please email me again. I can't seem to remember where I put your email addy.

MaryAnne said...

I just got my first serger that I am still figuring out. It has a gathering foot, can't wait to try it out!

Dawn said...

I cannot say enough wonderful things about my serger. I was a bit reluctant to buy one because I had heard so many negative stories but mine id=s a treasure and I would be lost with out it. I really do use it as much as my sewing machine and it makes things so much easier.

MaryAnne, I just used my regular foot and it worked perfectly. What kind of serger did you get?

Elizabeth said...

oh, some day i so want a serger!

on friday i'll be posting a tutorial for a pretty little girl top - you might like it? it's nothing compared to what you make . . . but, well - maybe you could check it out and let me know what you think?

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