Finish up those ruffles . . . . . but don't wait for me! (Ruffle tutorial Part 3)

Here is the final part of the ruffle tutorial.  In this part we will see another way to finish your ruffles, either on the hemline of a skirt, top or pants, or if you have a garment that has a front or back opening where you cannot use one continuous ruffle that connects end-to-end.  This is actually the simplest way I have found to finish off a ruffled pant leg or hemline, because it does not require that you match up the ruffle ends to create a finished edge. 

I have used this technique on capris, especially cute when making a curved hemline, as well as on a little crop top that buttons in the back.  This would make a nice finishing ruffle even for pillows or pillow cases, totebags, aprons, or any other project you are working on that you want to embellish with ruffles. 

Once you have your ruffle-strip made (see part 1 of this ruffle tutorial), mark the center point of the ruffle-strip and the center point of the garment or item where you want to stitch the ruffle.  Match up the centers, raw edge to raw edge with the ruffle facing the OUTSIDE of the garment, and then pin the ruffle to the garment all the way around, or from one side to the other, leaving about 1" - 2" of ruffle-strip free.  

At the center-back seam (or the inner side seam of capris or pants), curve the ruffle-strip DOWN, away from the garment and towards the seam allowance.  Make sure the raw end of both sides of the ruffle are completely below the seam allowance, and match them up as closely as possible.  This is where you have much more latitude in placement, which doesn't require perfectly matched ends.  A little overlap is not a problem. 

Complete stitching the seam between the garment and the ruffle, catching in both raw ends of the curved ruffle-strip. 

Finish the seam either by serging or by using a zig-zag stitch to overlock the raw edges.  Press seam towards the garment, and top-stitch 1/4" from seam line. 
 

This technique works quite well for finishing a top that has a front or back button closure, simply by curving the ruffle ends into the fold of the button placket.  In this case, I curved the ruffle ends in between the inner and outer layers of this reversible crop top.

 

  Here are a few more pictures of garments that I have made using this ruffle technique . . . . it just gives you more options for finishing up those twirly, girly things that you love to make!

  

Comments

[Lisa]

I started my first ruffle last night! It actually came out pretty good for my first try! Now I want to see if I can sew a ribbon on top of the seam where the ruffle and the piece meet. This could be a little more complicated...any suggestions?

[Nina Newton]

Hi Lisa - depending on the width of your ribbon, you would want to pin the ribbon directly over the seam line, and then either stitch it on right through the middle of the ribbon (for a narrow ribbon) or close to both sides of the ribbon (if it is wider than 1/4"). I'll see if I have any pictures that I can post on stitching ribbon above the ruffle. Congratulations on your first ruffle project . . . . . keep up the good work, and please send me a picture of your completed project so I can post it here for others to see your work! ~~ Nina