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

by Jenny Lyman

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