How To Sew Ruffles (The Easy Way!)

I am currently obsessed with ruffles. I want to add ruffles to everything I make. 

It’s just so easy to make them and they give whatever I am making a little somethin’ somethin’ ya know? 

Learning how to make ruffles is super simple. They are typically three ways you can go about making them.

#1 You can: Sew two rows of stitches near the top using the longest stitch length and then pull the threads.

#2 You can: Sew 1 or 2 rows of stitching by hand and then gather.

#3 (my favorite way!) Or you can: Sew a zig-zag stitch over a cord or strong piece of thread and use that to gather your fabric.

Today I am going to show you how to do the 3rd option. ✨ IMHO this is the fastest option when you have multiple layers of fabric or thicker fabric that could be difficult to gather.

So, I have some Kevlar thread – given to me by a friend of my dad’s. Super nice guy. He owned a textile mill and when he found out I loved to sew, he brought me a huge box full of really cool thread, including the Kevlar thread.

Did you know? : Kevlar thread is super duper ultra-strong (it’s actually plastic 😱) and it’s woven into yarn, which is then woven into a sheet to use in the Kevlar bulletproof vests. Cool, right? If you are a nerd like me and love to know all.the.things you can read more about it here.

If you don’t have any fancy Kevlar thread no worries, it’s not a requirement. You can use string, a small thin ribbon, cording, or some heavy-duty thread will probably work too. 

Ready? 

Let’s make some ruffles!!

How To Sew Ruffles

Step #1: Prep your fabric & Machine

If you are gathering more than one layer of fabric I would recommend basting the pieces together so you don’t have to worry about them moving around. 

Then grab the cord or whatever you will be using for the middle of the zig-zag. 

NOTE: It doesn’t matter what you use for a cord because you can take the cord out after you have sewn your gathers into place so they don’t move.

Set your machine to the zig-zag stitch with the longest length and widest width you have available. For me, that is a length of 4 and a width of 6. (Take a look a the picture above if you need a visual)

Place your cord down near the top of your fabric and position it right under your presser foot so it will be in the middle of the zig-zag when you start sewing. 

It helps to hold the cord with your hands on either end as you feed it through the machine so it doesn’t slide around. 

NOTE: It is important that the cord stays in the middle of the zig-zag. You do NOT want to sew over – I repeat, DO NOT SEW OVER THE CORD – because then you won’t be able to use it to create the gathers. 

Step #2: Time To Sew…slowly

Once you have everything in place it is time to start sewing. 

I have found it’s best to go slow when doing this. You will get faster the more you do it but the first couple of times go slow so you don’t accidentally sew over the cord. 

Slowly zig-zag your way over the cord to the end of the fabric.

Click on the video below to see this step in action!

Step #3: Gather, Gather, Gather

Once you have zigged and zagged across your fabric it’s time for the fun part. Gathering! 

Take one hand and hold onto the cord and the other hand will start moving the fabric.

Note: Be careful not to pull the cord all the way out as you are doing this. Use a pin or something heavy to keep the other end from slipping out. 

Slowly move the fabric along the cord to create the gathers. Scrunch them around until they look how you want them to. 

Click on the video below to see this step in action.

🎉Ta-Da! That’s it, you’re done! You can go back over your gathers to anchor them into place or you can be lazy like me and just go ahead and pin them (carefully) to whatever you are attaching ruffles to. 

In my case, I made these ruffles to go on a pretty green wrap skirt I made for my neighbor! 

Then I made this pretty gingham & faux leather ruffle wrap skirt that you can find in my Etsy shop!

Fun, right? 

What are you going to add ruffles to? I can’t wait to see!

Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below & have fun making those ruffles. I dare you not to get addicted 😉

Until next time friend 💕

P.S. I’d love for you to check out my Etsy shop! It’s full of pretty things designed to make you feel glamorous + beautiful every day. It’s the Rachel + Rebecca Shop and you can see it here. Bye beautiful!