For many years I had difficulty making the perfect ruffles. They turn out either too loose or the gathers are uneven. The most common problem is the running stitches breaking, especially with thicker fabrics. That is soooo frustrating. I recently have learned a few tricks that I wanted to share so you can learn how to sew perfect ruffles with any fabric.
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How to Sew Perfect Ruffles Using the Traditional Method
The first method that I will show you is probably the method that you are most familiar using. It is the classic way that is taught to sew ruffles. This method assumes a 5/8″ seam allowance which is a standard garment seam allowance. In this example, I will be making ruffle sleeves. One side of the ruffle is typically hemmed and the raw edge will be used to make the ruffle.
You will make 2 rows of “running stitches”. “Running Stitches” are made by increasing the straight stitch length as well as loosening the tension. This will allow the fabric to slide easily along the thread. Stitch one row 1/2″ from the raw edge and another 1/4″ from the raw edge. As you are stitching, the fabric will already start to gather.
Before gathering the ruffle, mark any necessary points. If you are gathering a sleeve, mark the shoulder seam as well as any notches. This way you will ensure that you are gathering the fabric evenly between these points. You can also use this method for one of my current patterns – The Easy Peasy Baby Blanket. You do not have to mark any points for a blanket ruffle. Just try to make the ruffle even all the way around.
Next, pull the bobbin thread (blue thread in photo) and gather toward the center or marked area. Repeat on the opposite side. Do not gather the ruffle from one side only. You will run the risk of breaking the gathering stitches and the ruffle will not be even.
Once the ruffle is gathered to the desired amount, use your fingers to adjust the gathers until they are even.
How to Sew Perfect Ruffles using a Non-traditional Method
Now that I have covered the traditional method of making ruffles, I want to share with you another method that I have recently learned. If you are making ruffles with a light weight fabric, the first method will work great. But if you are using a heavy weight fabric, the first method will likely be very difficult. This non traditional method will help you learn to sew perfect ruffles with any fabric!
Supply List
- Your Favorite Pattern (The Cajun Girl of course!)
- Baby Piping (1/16″)
- Cording Foot (Here is the one that I use)
Instead of making “running stitches”, you will need to set your machine to a long zig-zag stitch. Do this by increasing the stitch length and tension. Next, I use a cording foot or a foot that has a ridge. I use a buttonhole foot that has grooves on the bottom. Please note that you can use a regular sewing foot, but will take more time to make sure that the piping is in place.
Start with the cording hanging off the edge of the fabric. You will need this extra cording to gather the fabric. Next, zig zag OVER the cording using a 1/2″ seam allowance.
Before gathering the ruffle, mark any necessary points. If you are gathering a sleeve, mark the shoulder seam as well as any notches. This way you will ensure that you are gathering the fabric evenly between these points. You can also use this method in one of my current patterns – The Easy Peasy Baby Blanket. You do not have to mark any points for a blanket ruffle. Just try to make the ruffle even all the way around.
Next, pull the cording and watch the fabric gather beautifully! Use the same method as above. Gather toward the centers and distribute the gather evenly between points.
As you can see from the photo below, both methods will give you a similar ruffle. Once the sleeve is sewn into the garment, you can easily remove the cording from the fabric. The best part is that you can use the cording again!
What’s your favorite gathering technique? Leave a comment below.
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