How to Sew Ruffles in 6 Steps

A ruffle is a short, decorative piece of gathered fabric sewn onto an item with a single stitch, typically appearing on an item of clothing, a quilt, or a pillow. Especially when sewn on top of each other in tiers, ruffles lend extra volume and flounce to the items on which they appear. The two most common types of ruffles are single-edge ruffles (which feature a gathered seam down the center) and double-edge ruffles (which are gathered on one side of the piece of fabric, leaving the other side free).

You only need a few materials to sew your own DIY ruffles, including:

1. 1. Basic sewing tools: Like with any sewing project, you’ll need a sharp, new needle, thread, pins, and fabric scissors. Use a strong bobbin thread that will not break during the sewing process.
2. 2. Fabric: Choose a fabric that suits how you want your finished project to look. Lightweight fabric may not hold a crisp ruffle shape, but it will create elegant layers that move beautifully. A medium-weight or thick fabric will create stiff ruffles that hold their shape. Keep in mind that the gathering foot will only work with lightweight materials.
3. 3. Gathering foot: Using a gathering foot attachment on your sewing machine creates an elegantly gathered finished ruffle and attaches it to your item simultaneously. Alternatively, you will need to stitch, pull, and gather the ruffle by hand. A ruffler foot, which creates evenly spaced pleats, is another option. Keep in mind that a gathering foot is best to use on lightweight fabrics, but medium or heavy-weight textiles may be too thick for it.
4. 4. Sewing machine: Using a sewing machine will make your ruffle sewing project easier, faster, and more accurate, producing the most polished product possible. Alternatively, you can use a serger machine.

Sewing ruffles is a rewarding beginner sewing project and a perfect way to add flair to clothing or home décor. Follow this step-by-step sewing tutorial to sew your own double-edged ruffles.

1. 1. Prepare your workspace. Place a mat on your designated workspace to prevent damaging it with scratches. Gather your materials and tools and lay them out on your designated workspace. Lay the fabric out flat on your workspace to prepare for measurement.
2. 2. Cut and pin your fabric. Mark, measure, and cut a strip of fabric as wide as you want your ruffle to be and about two times as long. Leave a quarter-inch seam allowance on all sides. Use a few sewing pins to create a ruffling guideline to follow if you’re hand-gathering your fabric.
3. 3. Hem the edge of the fabric. Identify the long edge of the fabric that you will not attach to your item, which is the side you’ll hem. For example, if you plan to sew the left side of your fabric to a pillow, hem the right side to give it a polished finish. Fold the hem edge of the fabric once, and then again to hide the raw edge. Use your sewing machine to add a straight stitch to secure the hem.
4. 4. Prepare the sewing machine. Adjust your sewing machine’s stitch length to a medium to long stitch setting. If you’re sewing with lightweight fabric, attach the gathering foot to your sewing machine.
5. 5. Sew the ruffle. If you are using a gathering foot, it will simultaneously gather the material and attach it to your desired item. If you are not, you need to hand-gather it. Using a single thread, sew some loose gathering stitches through the unhemmed side of the fabric without backstitching either side. After doing this, pull both ends of the thread to achieve your desired gather. Make sure to pull the thread from the wrong side to hide the messier side of your ruffling.
6. 6. Attach the ruffle to your item. Once you’ve sewn your ruffle gathering, it’s time to sew the ruffle to your item. Do this using the gathering foot on your sewing machine, or stitch your hand-gathered finished ruffle to your desired item.

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