My recent projects all involve gathering, a new thing for me. I do have a gathering foot and I have tried many techniques, but I found them to all have some fatal flaw. My gathering foot didn't gather consistently, so no matter how carefully i measured and tested on each fabric individually, and tried to cut the fabric accordingly, it ended up uneven and looking horrible. Gathering by hand was tedious, also somewhat inconsistent, and not as secure in terms of the stitching. Ultimately I could get the job done, but it was beginning to be such a hassle that I was reconsidering what sort of clothes I wanted to make.
Then I saw this foot. It was reasonably cheap ($15 including shipping) and looks like a serous piece or machinery, so I got it. Besides my actual sewing machine (a Brother XL2600I), I think this is the best sewing purchase I have made so far.
You have to make sure to align it properly, and secure it tightly, and test with the hand dial to make sure the needle clears the foot. All of that is in the instructions, so that was no issue. It can make some alarming sounds while it's working, which made me worry that it was jamming, but it has not jammed for me at all, and I have broken no needles (the gathering foot I bought for my brother machine jammed several times and cost me 10 needles, in comparison).
Pros:
[1] (Major) Adjustable! It can create gathers or ruffles of varying lengths and depths
[2] (Major) Absolutely consistent gathering
[3] (Major) No jamming or broken needles when aligned properly
[4] (Major) Can handle light and heavy fabrics (I tried rayon, polyester satin, and some knit fabrics, as well as heavy brocade and denim, which will not gather (in an aesthetically pleasing way) with anything else I've tried)
[5] (Major) Secured the gathers or ruffles as it sews; you don't have to worry about one weak thread ruining a whole gathered section
[6] Can gather or ruffle folded fabric, or layers of fabric
Cons:
[1] Could be difficult to set up (I didn't have any issues but I come from a mechanical background. The instructions are not as clear as they should be, the parts are not labeled)
[2] Low clearance (this can be something of a headache, but that this fits on low shank machines at all is a wonder)
--this is low clearance below the foot and inside the ruffling part of the foot. It can lead to fabric sticking, but I resolved it easily by lifting the needle to its highest position and giving the fabric a firm tug tot he back of the machine, so it was not a large problem
[3] (Minor) At some point, it will apparently need oiling with sewing machine oil. Directions for that are in the box
[4] (Minor) Fabric insertion can be a hassle
[5] (Minor) The distance from the edge that you can ruffle / gather is limited to about an inch, unless the fabric is rolled or folded
Conclusion: I am definitely happy with this purchase and I recommend it. Most important to me is its consistency and ability to handle heavy fabrics, specifically brocade. I sew slow enough that I can monitor and adjust the fabric as needed, with a straight stitch, the width adjusted to clear the foot, guiding the fabric with my hands from front and back. I have been nothing but pleased with this foot; of all the feet I have it is my absolute favorite.
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