Single layer gathering foot

Is it possible to gather material without placing a flat piece of fabric on top of it? If you had some stretched out boxer shorts that the elastic was tired and wanted to tighten them up, why not install a gathering foot, adjust stitch length up and thread tension up, then trace over the waistband?

You would need strong thread and could only sew in the forward direction, but it should accomplish the task.

And yes, I know I need new underwear.

Reply to
Stumpy
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"Stumpy" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:lbmdnb8-tJxSajzPnZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@earthlink.com...

Well, as for new undies - you know your budget best, so it is not for us to judge. ;-) But as for the plan of gathering the tired elastic - why don't you rip the old ones out and make a proper tunnel, then insert a new one? I mean - why throw the undies away if the fabric is still good and only the elastic is failing? If, of course, the fabric is wearing thin, too, you'd better not waste any time and energy into that project but go and get some new ones. Unless you are so broke, of course, that you can't even afford the cheapest ones (BTDT, so please don't take my comment for a sneer), in which case you might try the technique you mentioned in the first place (which doesn't sound very promising to me, though).

U.

Reply to
Ursula Schrader

Well, I planned on just making miniature pleats(gathering) in order to reduce the size and just do away with any elastic properties. But a gathering foot will only let me make a straight line of stitches ~1/4" from the edge of the upper fabric.

New undies are on my list, but I'm trying to learn the technology involved in operating a sewing machine. I have purchased a bundle of 1" elastic, but even that would require prestretching to simply tack it onto the surface.

I'm not broke but don't want a class at a sewing store or a 17 week continuing education class. I am therefore failing strategically as I figure stuff out. Should have spent some time in my mom's workroom.

Reply to
Stumpy

Make a circle of your elastic, stitch the ends together (be sure you don't turn it into a Moebius strip), mark it in quarters with pins. Now take the undies, tear off the worn elastic, mark the quarters, and take it and the elastic to the sewing machine.

Match one pin in the elastic to one pin on the top of the undies, put sewing machine needle (threaded) down and lower presser foot. Hold the elastic and undies behind the needle firmly with your left hand. With your right hand, find the next pair of pins and pin the two pieces together there, then stretch them until the elastic is the same length as the underwear quarter. Carefully start the machine and let it pull the fabric and elastic through the needle while you maintain tension on it behind and in front of the needle.

I hope this is understandable. This may help.

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Undies with no elastic are not wearable. They keep finding your ankles. If money is a problem, check thrift stores and yard sales for packets of unopened elastic.

Reply to
Pogonip

No, no, money is not the problem. Will really buy some new ones next time at the store. I bought a sewing machine to make some things and to fix some things. The knees on some long pants, and ready to retire boxers are all that needs fixing.

That was a useful video. Thanks. I'll use technique #2 @~3 minutes, but don't need to encase the elastic.

Could save some time and just do a couple of short elastic portions on each side instead of all around the waistband.

Reply to
Stumpy

May I suggest that if you want to learn how to make or fix something you learn to do it the correct way. Then you will have that skill down after a little practice and never have to unlearn a bad habit. If you want to continue sewing for yourself or someone else or mend something you'll see that Joann explained a very basic technique that you can carry over and use again and again. nothing like learning it correctly the first time.

Reply to
Juno

Seconded!!!

Reply to
BEI Design

Got it. I found the video useful, and was just thinking out loud about some shortcuts. That's a bad habit of mine - I seldom follow a recipe without doing something differently.

I've already got plenty of bad habits.

Reply to
Stumpy

As we all do! I know from experience. that when it comes to sewing it's just easier to learn to do it the right way, then after you have more experience you'll learn how and where you can do the short cuts. Juno

Reply to
Juno

If you're going to put in the time and effort to do it, you'll be more satisfied if your end product is usable. I have a long history of "doing it my way" and lots of regrets for hours of work only to have something turn out completely unsuitable. Profit from my experience. If it's worth doing at all, it's worth doing right.

Not that there aren't times for playing around, exploring the possibilities, trying out new techniques and trying to improve on them. Just be sure that you're not invested in the outcome in those instances.

Reply to
Pogonip

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