Let’s Get Ruffled! Three tried-and-true ways to ruffle your fabric.

As Kim Christopherson says, “You can’t go wrong with ruffles!” And there are many ways to create a ruffle, from a ruffler foot to a serger and everything in between. Here are three easy ways to create ruffles with just your sewing machine--no extra equipment required. (These techniques work for both machine embroidery and sewing projects.)

Cut Your Fabric

A good rule of thumb is to cut your fabric two to three times longer than the area you’re going to cover with the ruffle. For a narrow, tightly-gathered ruffle, cut your fabric longer (three times the length). For a wider ruffle, cut your fabric shorter (about two times the length).

Ruffle One

• Finish the raw edges of your fabric strip.
• Set the stitch length on your machine to the very longest setting (a basting stitch).
• Turn the tension up on your machine. As you begin sewing, ruffles will automatically appear!

Ruffle Two

• Finish the raw edges of your fabric strip.
• Set the stitch length on your machine to the very longest setting (a basting stitch).
• Sew two rows of basting stitches across the top of the strip, about ⅛” to ¼” apart. (Note: We recommend sewing two rows so you’ll have a backup if one of the threads break!)
• Keep your bobbin thread long.
• Pull the bobbin threads to ruffle the fabric, making the ruffles as tight or as loose as you want them.

Ruffle Three (Kim’s Favorite!)

• Grab the essential tool every sewing room should have: dental floss! (Warning: your projects may smell minty fresh!)
• Finish the raw edges of your fabric strip.
• Cut a piece of dental floss (a little longer than each strip).
• Lay the dental floss flat along the fabric, about ¼” from the edge.
• Set your machine stitch to the widest zig zag and the longest length possible.
• Stitch over the top of the dental floss, trapping the floss inside the zig zag stitch (all the way down the length of the fabric strip).
• Pull the floss to gather the fabric into a ruffle. Because the floss is strong, thick, and smooth, it’s very easy to pull and gather!

Watch this video to see Kim Christopherson demonstrating her favorite ruffling techniques!

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PU93bUoxKo[/embedyt]

https://youtu.be/9PU93bUoxKo