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Adding a beautiful ruffle detail to your next sewing project can give any garment or home decor item an extra bit of flair. Ruffles are an easy way to add sophisticated texture and dimension with just a few simple supplies and techniques.
First, prep the fabric strip for gathering. Then, attach it securely in place. Be sure to press out those seams. We’ll walk through all the steps necessary for adding stylish ruffles, no matter the fabric type or seam.
Grab your materials and let’s get started on learning how to sew in some lovely ruffles!
Table Of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Adding ruffles adds flair and texture to garments and home decor.
- Preparing the ruffle fabric by hemming it and cutting it 2-3 times the desired length creates voluminous ruffles.
- To attach ruffles, first pin them perpendicular to the garment’s edge. Then gather the ruffles to match the length of the seam before attaching them with a straight stitch.
- You can hem and finish ruffled seams using a narrow hem foot, matching thread, and steam. Or finish the ruffle seams by using a serger or a zigzag stitch.
What Are Ruffles?
You’ll make any garment fun and feminine by gathering fabric into ruffles before stitching them on. Ruffles come in all shapes and sizes – delicate fluttery hems, extravagant gathered sleeves, and a cascade of tiers on a skirt.
This decoratively gathered trim has graced women’s fashion throughout the ages, from Elizabethan collars to Regency gowns.
Whether a subtle frill or an exuberant explosion, ruffles soften silhouettes and add personality. Play with different widths and fullness for endless variety. Flounce a sleeve or neckline. Fringe a hem for movement and texture. Layer tiers on skirts and dresses. Melt even the strictest lines with ruffles’ luxurious charm and romantic allure.
Ruffles turn the ordinary into extraordinary.
Preparing the Ruffle Fabric
After hemming your ruffle strip, it’s time to baste it for easy gathers. Cut your fabric at least 2-3 times the length of the edge you’ll attach it to; this allows for lovely, voluminous ruffles. Finish the narrow hem first by folding in 1/2 inch, then 1/4 inch and press. Next, sew the hem close to the inner fold.
Apply two rows of long basting stitches at 1/2 inch and 1/4 inch from the raw edge.
Align the ruffled edge to the garment’s raw edge and pin perpendicular. To prevent threads from unraveling, wrap them around the pin in a cross. Carefully pull the top threads to gently gather the ruffle to perfectly match the seam length.
Once gathered, pin the ruffle to the edge, crossing loose threads around each pin.
Sew a final seam stitch close to the bottom basting line. Your beautifully gathered ruffle is ready to attach!
Hemming the Ruffle
Before gathering, iron the fold after turning the raw edge in 1/2 inch, then 1/4 inch to finish the hem of the ruffle strip.
Here are 3 pro tips for hemming ruffles:
- Use a narrow hem foot for perfectly even folds.
- Choose a thread color that matches or blends into the fabric.
- Press with steam for crisp, defined folds.
A properly hemmed ruffle contributes to the overall quality of your project. With some practice, you’ll be able to create consistent, feminine ruffles to enhance any sewing project with flair. Ruffle embellishments allow creative expression, whether adding volume to a skirt or accenting a blouse.
Master basic ruffle techniques like hemming to unlock endless ruffle variations for unique, stylish results.
Gathering the Ruffle
Once you’ve finished hemming your ruffle strip, it’s time to gather it. Don’t worry, gathering is easy!
Simply sew two rows of long basting stitches along the raw edge of the ruffle fabric. Pull the bobbin threads to gather the fabric until it’s the same length as the garment edge you’ll be attaching it to.
For more gathered fullness, use a narrower ruffle strip. Want less fullness? Go wider with your fabric. When the ruffle matches the garment edge perfectly, pin it in place, then sew it on with a straight stitch close to the gathering stitches.
Ruffles instantly add feminine softness to any project. Experiment with different widths and fullness for a variety of pretty effects.
Attaching the Ruffle
Don’t fret, friend. Simply align that frilly flounce to the fresh facade, then fix it firmly before forming the fine finishing. Ruffle placement is important, so pin the ruffle edge perpendicular to the garment edge and distribute gathers evenly.
Ruffle attachment tips: Use a straight stitch close to the gathering stitch, then clean finish the raw edge with a serger or zigzag.
Fun ruffle embellishment ideas include beading, embroidery, and applique. Play with ruffle pattern variations like tiered ruffles, lettuce edge ruffles, or ruched ruffles.
With some gathering, imagination, and your trusty sewing machine, you’ll be ruffling and embellishing like a pro in no time.
Finishing Ruffle Seams
After attaching the ruffle, finish the raw edges with a serger or zigzag stitch for durability. The serger’ll give you a nice professional finish, trimming and encasing the raw ruffle edge in one pass.
But a zigzag stitch works too if you don’t have a serger yet. Use a narrow zigzag width and dense stitch length to prevent fraying down the road.
When finishing the ruffle seam, be sure to point the seam allowance away from the gathers so they remain puffy and beautiful. Give extra TLC when pressing this area since the gathers are prone to flattening out.
For a clean look, press only the flat garment section, not the ruffle gathers themselves.
With a serger or zigzag to finish raw edges neatly, your gorgeous ruffles’ll hold their shape through countless wears and washes.
Pressing Ruffle Seams
You’ll see a wonder of beauty when fabulous ironing turns your gathered ruffle into a heavenly sight.
- Iron with the seam pointing away from the gathers always.
- Concentrate heat on the flat seam opposite the gathers.
- Avoid pressing directly on top of the gathers.
- Use a cloth when pressing to avoid imprinting texture.
- Check sides to ensure the ruffle seam’s ironed right.
Gentle pressing perfects the ruffle’s form artistically. Treat ruffles as fine art during each step. The ruffle deserves your care, mindfulness and presence. Radiate positivity as you shape the ruffle’s character lovingly with hand and iron.
What comes from your heart goes through hands to the ruffle’s being. The ruffle becomes your spirit’s extension. Cherish this meditative making moment. Soon you’ll unveil the ruffle’s bright beauty.
Sewing Machine Ruffles
Stitch parallel gathering rows, pull the bobbin threads to evenly cinch the ruffle width before pinning it along the garment edge. Ruffles instantly transform basic garments into fanciful creations. Experiment with ruffle attachment techniques like stitching the ruffle on top for a layered look or attaching it right sides together for a clean finish.
Play with ruffle designs ranging from dainty flounces to bold gathered tiers. Consider ruffle alternatives like lace, ribbon, or mesh for lightweight embellishments. Ruffle variations are endless – add them to hems, sleeves, skirts, even seams. Ruffles elevate everyday style when stitched with care.
Hand Sewn Ruffles
Wet some cotton strips, scrunch and gather into bunches, then run thread through for quick hand-sewn ruffles. No sewing machine‘s required for darling ruffles by hand. Just cut cotton fabric into 1-2 inch strips.
Dampen strips, then scrunch lengthwise to create gathers. Knot thread at one end, then weave through the scrunched fabric’s center with long basting stitches. Gently pull thread to gather more. Voila! Sweet little ruffles to stitch onto clothing edges or craft projects for embellishment.
Try different fabrics like gauze, voile or lace too. Let creativity flow with hand-sewn ruffle designs. Who needs pattern hacking when hand stitching ruffles is so fast and fun? Add custom ruffles anywhere for a feminine handmade touch.
Where to Add Ruffles
Armscyes become so unexpectedly chic when ruffles are snuck in. You’ll be amazed by the garment transformation that occurs when ruffles are strategically added. Ruffle placement offers endless styling options to showcase your design creativity.
Consider ruffling a tank top’s armscye for extra shoulder and bra strap coverage.
Mix up your usual sleeve with a gathered ruffle that cascades down the arm. Designer Haley Glenn’s patterns are enjoyable to sew and perfect for ruffle application. Let your imagination run wild with ways to ruffle up your makes. Ruffles inject feminine flair and allow you to revamp basic garments.
Conclusion
Adding ruffles to any garment is an easy way to give it a unique look and add a bit of feminine charm. Ruffles have been used in fashion for centuries. Today, we can see them everywhere – from t-shirts to dresses and even leggings.
To add ruffles to a garment:
First, prepare the ruffle fabric and hem the edges. Then, gather the ruffle and attach it to the garment by sewing.
With this knowledge, you can now create garments with ruffles, no matter the fabric or pattern.
