For those who do ruffles
 

I received this info in today's newsletter. It will surely save time if I ever do ruffles again. :)

http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/sewi...ithout-sewing/

Thanks for the link! I generally avoid ruffles and gathers, too.

I love ruffles and never really thought of them as a problem, but I can see how this could speed things up.

I have the tape in the article. It works fine, just expensive. I made one ruffle dress for a friend. The largest package has 6 yds in it. I probably needed 3 more pkg to finish.

I didn't buy more, just did it the old way - zigzag over a piece of quilting thread and then gather from there. If you were doing just a little, like in the article, it is quick and easy.

Maybe if it became available in larger rolls - like 50 or 100 yards, I would use it again.

My way;
I try to pink the edges when I can. Or a rolled edge on a serger.
Then I use a loose wide zigzag over a clear fishing line.
Quarter my ruffle and pin it on then I use a basting stitch to apply the ruffle.
It is easy to pull up the gathers and adjust using both hands to hold the ruffles in place and stitch.
I anchor the line with empty spools at each end.
Sometimes I insert 50lb test line to the rolled hem edge.

I got the same email it looks like it would take the guess work out of measuring how much fabric you need to get the ruffle to fit whatever you putting it on, I have a ruffle attachment and always either gather to much or not enough.....I do like ruffles........

When I make ruffles, I always cut the fabric on the bias. When cut on the straightgrain, the edge usually shreds and the edge does not behalf well. On the bias, this does not happen. I also connect ruffle ends that have been cut on the bias.

For example, when making a pillow top and adding ruffles, I mark the ruffle length in fourths. These fourths correspond to the the pillow top corners. I zigzag over a quilting thread using monofilament thread. Align the fourths markings and then draw up. Doing this will allow the same amount of ruffle to be even between the markings. -- Also, allow extra fullness at the corners to avoid the cupping thing.

This looks like a great product. I love ruffles. I'm in a Hawaiian dance group and we make our own costumes. This would make adding the ruffles so much easier. Thank you for the info.

Thanks for the link. Love Nancy Zieman!

I buy ruffles already done. But just not very often. May just have to try it out for the fun of it.