Give me your Ruffle Making tips please!
05-10-2020, 11:47 AM
#11
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Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,064
I used to do more ruffles and fancy trims around quilts when I first started, gave them up for the standard french double fold bias... That is, you put the two raw edges together and stitch on, then flip over and hand finish.
Anyway, I found the purchased trims or making my own to work the best, basically I just make it all into standard double fold bias. That is where you press in half, then fold the raw edges into the middle and press again.
So, next thing is don't be stingy on how much fabric you use. Twice is not enough, you really need 2.5-3 times plus for a good gather or ruffle. If you are using quilting fabric it needs to be pretty substantial depth, at least 2" finished or it will just be a big heavy lump. It will still be a heavy finish if using double thickness but can be rather nice for a deep 4" or so ruffle.
If using a lace or purchased single thickness trim, gather first and then case into the binding. You would have one long raw side plus one folded side of the bias tape, stitch with a zig zag the quarter inch seam allowance with the raw edges together, the folded edge would be sewn to the top.
Figured it would be easier to make an ugly example than explain it well...
First shot shows the bias pinned to either side of the ruffle, you can carefully pin both sides at the same time or do once each for a sturdier finish. I enhanced my ironed press line with pencil so they can be seen.
Second shot shows the inner fold.
Third shot shows the encased binding you can miter like regular binding or I usually gently curved (like around a quarter). Depending on what you used for the ruffle depends a bit on how you finish that seam.
Anyway, I found the purchased trims or making my own to work the best, basically I just make it all into standard double fold bias. That is where you press in half, then fold the raw edges into the middle and press again.
So, next thing is don't be stingy on how much fabric you use. Twice is not enough, you really need 2.5-3 times plus for a good gather or ruffle. If you are using quilting fabric it needs to be pretty substantial depth, at least 2" finished or it will just be a big heavy lump. It will still be a heavy finish if using double thickness but can be rather nice for a deep 4" or so ruffle.
If using a lace or purchased single thickness trim, gather first and then case into the binding. You would have one long raw side plus one folded side of the bias tape, stitch with a zig zag the quarter inch seam allowance with the raw edges together, the folded edge would be sewn to the top.
Figured it would be easier to make an ugly example than explain it well...
First shot shows the bias pinned to either side of the ruffle, you can carefully pin both sides at the same time or do once each for a sturdier finish. I enhanced my ironed press line with pencil so they can be seen.
Second shot shows the inner fold.
Third shot shows the encased binding you can miter like regular binding or I usually gently curved (like around a quarter). Depending on what you used for the ruffle depends a bit on how you finish that seam.
05-10-2020, 06:05 PM
#13
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 2,071
There are gathering presser feet and ruffler attachments, which are two different things. Back in the 1980's we put ruffles on everything. I used my ruffler attachment to make the gathers on a folded fabric, which I usually cut 6" to 8" wide. I rounded the corners on the quilt, then sewed the ruffle to the front of the quilt, and hand finished it on the back.
If you don't have a gathering foot or ruffler attachment, you can zig-zag over a size 10 crochet thread, which easily draws up the gathers and doesn't break, like the 2 lines of basting stitches does.
If you don't have a gathering foot or ruffler attachment, you can zig-zag over a size 10 crochet thread, which easily draws up the gathers and doesn't break, like the 2 lines of basting stitches does.
05-11-2020, 03:05 AM
#14
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,636
The satin like fabric ruffle is what I planned to try!
Originally Posted by meyert
I say go for it! I really like putting ruffles on quilts for babies and little ones. I use satin like fabric and the little girls just love the feel of that and they cuddle a little more with the quilt
I too recommend a ruffling foot. What i have had the most luck with it the birthing style to get the binding on the quilt. Once the I put the backing face up on the floor. Then i pin the ruffle on - facing in. Then I lat the quilt top face down and use the pins that I had in the ruffle to pin all of the layers together
I too recommend a ruffling foot. What i have had the most luck with it the birthing style to get the binding on the quilt. Once the I put the backing face up on the floor. Then i pin the ruffle on - facing in. Then I lat the quilt top face down and use the pins that I had in the ruffle to pin all of the layers together
Can you please share what fabric you used as it looks like it washes well without wrinkles.
Thank you!
05-11-2020, 03:12 AM
#15
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,636
Iceblossom! You are so kind to make photos for your how to method. Thank you!
I never thought of buying purchased ruffles. Thanks for the idea. I don't have a ruffle attachment, so I would have to do the zig zag and pull the thread method to make the ruffles.
I would like to use a satin like fabric for the ruffle that is very soft. Do you have a ready made ruffle that you have used that you would recommend ?
I never thought of buying purchased ruffles. Thanks for the idea. I don't have a ruffle attachment, so I would have to do the zig zag and pull the thread method to make the ruffles.
I would like to use a satin like fabric for the ruffle that is very soft. Do you have a ready made ruffle that you have used that you would recommend ?
Last edited by copycat; 05-11-2020 at 03:14 AM. Reason: add name
05-11-2020, 03:31 AM
#16
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,636
Originally Posted by Rhonda K
I have only added them to pillows.
Here is one way to add interest to the quilt. You could use left over fabrics and make it scrappy too.
https://jordanfabrics.com/pages/faux...-ruffle-pillow
For our pillow class, we used the adjustable ruffle foot. Be sure to use the hand wheel first to check needle alignment before stitching. Most of the class members had issues with the foot alignment slipping that caused broken needles.
I finished my project at home. I zig-zagged over a long piece of heavy upholstery thread. Then pulled and gathered the cording to ruffle the fabric strip. Mark the ruffle fabric when it is flat so you know how much to ruffle. You can put a straight pin at the mark and then wrap the cord around to hold in place after you have the fabric gathered to size. Then go onto the next section of ruffle. The holding pins allow you to gather the next section of marked fabric into the right size.
The goal is to have the ruffle spaced evenly on the project. Good luck!
Here is one way to add interest to the quilt. You could use left over fabrics and make it scrappy too.
https://jordanfabrics.com/pages/faux...-ruffle-pillow
For our pillow class, we used the adjustable ruffle foot. Be sure to use the hand wheel first to check needle alignment before stitching. Most of the class members had issues with the foot alignment slipping that caused broken needles.
I finished my project at home. I zig-zagged over a long piece of heavy upholstery thread. Then pulled and gathered the cording to ruffle the fabric strip. Mark the ruffle fabric when it is flat so you know how much to ruffle. You can put a straight pin at the mark and then wrap the cord around to hold in place after you have the fabric gathered to size. Then go onto the next section of ruffle. The holding pins allow you to gather the next section of marked fabric into the right size.
The goal is to have the ruffle spaced evenly on the project. Good luck!
05-12-2020, 03:21 AM
#17
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,636
thanks for the videos...love the ruffler attachment!
Originally Posted by mindless
If you decide to make the ruffle, here are some you tube videos you can watch for tips and tricks:
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...aking+a+ruffle
this one shows how to use a fuffler foot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YduH3bn3fGk
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...aking+a+ruffle
this one shows how to use a fuffler foot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YduH3bn3fGk
