How to Make Ruffles for Curtain Swags

Now that you've got those curtain swags made, do you think they'd look better with some ruffles? Well if you do, don't fret. Sometimes adding ruffles is just what's needed to give curtain swags a "wow" effect. Ruffles may take a little more effort than making the swags, but they aren't hard to make. If you made the swags, you already have basic sewing skills, so now you'll just need to push your skills a little bit further. Continue reading for tips on making ruffles for your swag curtains.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabric
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Measuring tape

1. Measure the width of your swag and write down the measurement. Double that figure and add 2 inches to it for seam allowance. This will be the how wide your fabric for the ruffle will be. Figure out how long you want the ruffle to be, add 2 inches, and write down that measurement for the length. For example, if your swag is 30 inches wide, your measurement for the width of the ruffle would be 62. Remember to consider seam allowances when figuring your length. For example,if you want the ruffle to be 6 inches long, your measurement would be 8, due to the seams.

2. Purchase the fabric for the ruffle, if you don't have it already. If you already have thread, make sure it's not too old or that it breaks easily. You're going to be pulling the threads, so you'll need to have strong thread to use for the ruffle.

3. Cut out your ruffle according to the measurements. Fold all the edges except for the top portion of the ruffle, over towards the inside 1 inch. Make a seam around all three sides to finish off the raw edge.

4. Position your sewing machine to the basting stitch, or where the stitches are quite large. Sew one seam across the top of the ruffle approximately 1/2 inch from the top. Be sure to leave about a 6-inch piece of thread hanging off each end of the fabric. Do not cut your threads close. Sew another seam underneath the one you just sewed, approximately a 1/2 inch away from the first one. As with the other seam, leave approximately 6 inches of thread hanging off each side.

5. Take both threads from one side of the fabric and begin gently pulling them. With your other hand, begin to ruffle the fabric over the two seams, as you pull the threads. Your piece of fabric should begin to grow shorter, and ruffles should begin to form. Repeat these steps for the other side of the ruffle. This process make take you some time and effort to get the whole piece of fabric ruffled.

6. Hold your ruffled edge against the bottom edge of the swag to check if they're the same width. If not, continue pulling the threads until both the ruffle and the swag are the same width.

7. Turn your sewing machine back to regular stitch. Pin the ruffled edge of the ruffle to the bottom of the swag, wrong sides facing each other. Sew a seam approximately 1 inch from the top, across the whole width. Trim off your extra threads. You swags now have ruffles on them.

[simdarhan]

on 7/19/2009 Would the same instructions for make ruffles for SWAGS be the same for JABOTS? Thanks so much