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!
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