How to Gather Ruffles

You can gather ruffles with a fancy sewing machine attachment, or you can use a sewing technique. These directions work on any fabric type. Once you master this technique, you can gather ruffles without much effort.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Fabric
• Sewing machine
• Thread

1. Decide how full to make the ruffle. A good rule of thumb is to allow 2 ½ times the finished length. If you want a fuller ruffle, allow more. If you want less, then allow less. If you are using a pattern, proceed to the next step.

2. Mark the fabric into four even sections. If it is straight across, allow room on each end for the seam allowance. If it's a garment, mark the seam lines and center front and center back.

3. Set the sewing machine to baste. Use a contrasting thread if you wish because it's easier to see to remove later.

4. Sew a row of basting thread at 5/8 inch. Leave tails on the beginning and end. Don't backstitch. Begin at the end or side seam. Sew to the first quarter mark. Cut the threads. Sew the second quarter and cut the threads. Repeat around the rest of the garment.

5. Repeat the previous step, except sew at ½ inch. When you finish, you should have two parallel rows of basting.

6. Pin the basted section of fabric to the main section of the garment. Match side seams and center front and back. Gently pull up the basting threads to gather the ruffles. Make sure the fabric is even between each section. Pin in place. Repeat this for each section.

7. Stitch the gathered fabric to the main section. Remove the basting threads.