thanneaKS

I have made several dust ruffles for beds this past year and I always zigzag over crochet cotton thread, two rows. I use a fairly short zigzag and it pulls up easily. I like them ruffled pretty full (3:1) and this works fine.

Gail B

You could also divided your ruffle in half or thirds. Sew 2 lines of long stitches on each half or third. This method worked great on a tree skirt ruffle. I had to divide the ruffle into eights it was so long.

QuiltingVagabond

Were you using a lightweight thread? When I started quilting, I began using 50 wt Aurifil and it would break when I tried pulling it out. I used to use polyester thread in my garment sewing, it would be stronger when gathering.

kellen46

Try this technique....so simple and yet you do not have to pull any threads...and even though it is "pre gathered" it is totally adjustable....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx-5T6VLilg

d.rickman

Make your stitches as long as you can (I use a basting stitch), then sew your first row of stitches along the edge of your fabric,
sew another line of stitches again as long as you can (basting stitch), about a half inch away from the
first row of stitching. Now pull gently on both of the bobbin threads, at the same time, once you have
your gathered fabric the way you would like it, then do another row of stitches between the first two
rows at your normal stitch length, then remove your gathering rows.

I don't have issues with thread breakage, if I do the two lines of basting stitches.

Grace MooreLinker

I have used the clear elastic and liked it.

bigsister63

I also just lengthen the stitch length. Also you have to pull the thread GENTLY and move the gathers along as ytou pull. Also I have found that poly thread seemd to be better than cotton thread. Cotton thread tends to break easier than polly thread. Just be GENTLE!!!!!!

patchsamkim

When I used to make pillow shams years ago for order, I used dental floss and zigzag stitched over that and then pulled the floss to gather. Worked great!

GramMER

Have you tried sewing a tiny zigzag stitch over a thin chord? You can easily make a ruffle that way?

mike'sgirl

I love Sewing with Nancy, and she was just doing ruffles. She suggested gathering tape ( that's what I'll call it). It is fusible, and you just fuse it down to the piece you are wanting ruffles in, and then tie off one end and gather the other. Really easy. I 'll bet she has it on her website.