Favorite gathering technique

I am so excited - I am doing the costumes for our community theater production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers! I've got it started, and now I have to gather about 4 miles of ruffles. I plan to start with the "zigzag over a narrow cord" technique. I used that for broomstick skirts a few years ago and it seemed fairly painless.

I want gathers and not pleats. What is your favorite method?

I just watched that technique on Sewing with Nancy today and she said it was one of her 25 favorite sewing techniques. bluemar73

If I don't use my serger to gather, I like the zig-zag method. Although I'm just as likely to do two rows and gather by hand.

I have not tried the zigzag method but am happy with two rows of the largest style stitches then pullling the bobbin thread to gather.  I just learned about sewing the two rows on either side of where the seam is- this seems to help a great deal in making nice even gathers that don't push over to one side too much.

If I had to gather 4 miles, I think I would do it on my serger and settle for the little pleats!

I do this when I am making nice dresses or other "good" things, but so far the zigzag method has been working. I have found it necessary to anchor the starting end of the cord...

My serger is not healthy... I am afraid it may be terminal. When I get a new one, I would like to learn to gather with it.

How about using a gathering foot or a ruffler foot?  I haven't use one but I've been wanting to get one. 

I've got a ruffler foot but can't quite figure out how to use it.  I've made some ruffles with it but wasn't very happy with the results.  Anyone have any pointers for using a ruffler foot??

There is a really great, free guide at Youcanmakethis.com.  Here's the link: http://youcanmakethis.com/info/featured-products/Free-The-Ruffler-Unruffled.htm

It is really detailed with lots of pictures...plus, it's free!