Wondering how to sew a cute ruffle? Read on for FAQ’s and a tutorial on how to sew a ruffle the easy way!
Ruffles are so easy and a fun way to add a little cuteness to a sewing project even if you are a beginner. They can be added to the hem’s of dresses, tablecloths, hand towels, curtains, table runners, napkins, and pretty much anything else your heart desires. I absolutely love ruffles and think that they add some charm to an otherwise plain sewing project.
It may boggle your mind how to do it the first time you see a ruffle, but it really is easy. Following this simple method, you will be adding ruffles to your projects in no time!
What stitch to use for ruffles?
The best stitch to use for sewing ruffles is a straight stitch with the width of your stitch set to the widest setting. This will make it easier to gather.
How do you gather fabric to make a ruffle?
You gather fabric by pulling on the top thread. This makes the fabric bunch up. Slide the bunched up fabric away from where you are pulling and pull again to bunch it up some more.
Continue doing this until your ruffle is as long as you need it to be. You can always let some out if you have gathered too much.
How wide should a ruffle be?
A ruffle can be as wide as you want it to be. Just make sure that you leave room for seam allowance on both sides. I usually add 1 1/2 inches to my width just to be safe.
How much fabric is needed for a ruffle?
I usually do 1 1/2 of the length of whatever I am attaching the ruffle to. If the length is 10″, then the length of the fabric piece for the ruffle will be 30″.
Save it for Later!
How to Sew Ruffles on a Sewing Machine
CUT YOUR FABRIC to be at least 1 1/2 the length of what you are going to attach it to. Add 1 inch for seam allowance.
SET YOUR MACHINE. Set the width of the stitch to the widest setting. This will make it easier to gather the fabric.
DON’T BACKSTITCH! You do not want to backstitch at all the you are making a ruffle. Simply sew your stitch all the way down without backstitching at the beginning or end. This allows the fabric to slide on the thread. If you backstitch you won’t be able to gather it.
HEM the bottom edge of the fabric before you make the ruffle. This keeps this edge from unraveling and is much easier to do before you make your ruffle.
SEW a straight stitch down the length of the fabric about 1/4″-1/2″ from the edge. Some people prefer to sew two stitches right alongside each other, but this only necessary if you are sewing with old thread that is more prone to break when you pull on it.
Make sure you don’t cut your threads short. It is easier to gather if your threads are left long.
GATHER the ruffle by pulling gently on the top thread. This will be the thread that came out of of the needle. Usually, the bottom or bobbin thread doesn’t slide easily.
Slide the bunched up fabric down and pull again. Continue to do this until the length of your ruffle has shrunk to match the garment or fabric you are attaching it to. You can let some out if you have gathered it too much.
Update:
I find it a lot easier to zigzag the ruffle to the garment or piece of fabric after I have pinned it and then do a straight stitch underneath that removing the basting stitch if it is visible on the other side. It’s so much easier to attach and finish the edges of the ruffle this way, but the other method mentioned below is still a good one.
ATTACH THE RUFFLE by pinning it to your garment/other fabric right sides together. Reset the width of your stitch back to where you like it. Sew the two pieces together keeping the stitch on the ruffle to the right of the needle so that it doesn’t show when you are finished. If it does show you can always take it out. Don’t forget to backstitch this time!
FINISH THE EDGES. My favorite way to finish edges to keep them from fraying and coming undone in the wash is a fell seam. It’s simple and nice and neat! You can do it on your machine without needing a serger, too!
Leave a Reply