This is probably my favorite in the Learn to Sew Series tutorials-it’s time for ruffles! Seriously-who doesn’t like ruffles? OK, maybe the little boys who are doing our series don’t like ruffles. Maybe they can take the week off and try a Crazy Little *Kids* Project instead? But let’s make some ruffles!
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Shannon Fabrics is going to give a $50 prize pack to one lucky winner. Your kids will love something made from cuddle, or they have terry (watch for a tutorial using terry this week) and other great fabrics. Enter to win at the bottom of this post.
Learn to Sew Kids: Ruffles:
Making ruffles is going to be slightly more difficult than the previous lessons. Please encourage your child to be patient with this and not to expect perfection right away. And to have fun with it!
Let’s make some ruffles!
Start out by preparing your fabric. You will need to cut it to the length indicated on whatever pattern you are using. Usually you are also probably going to be asked to hem your fabric before you create the ruffle. Get all of that done before you do the next steps.
With your fabric ready, run a long baste stitch along the top edge of your fabric. DO NOT back stitch to knot your thread. Leave the threads long and hanging on either end. Now run a second baste stitch (again, don’t knot) just below the first one you did. Again, leave your threads long.
Now, grab hold of the top two threads. Leave the back two threads hanging.
Now you will gently tug your threads and slide your fabric down them. Do this very gently-you don’t want to break your thread.
Keep doing this, sliding your fabric further down and evening it out as you go so that in the end it looks like this:
The more you slide the fabric the more ruffle you are going to have. Soon, you will have a cute little ruffle. Just even out the ruffling as needed and you are done.
Now, often your pattern is going to want you to form a loop with the ruffle you just made. To do this you will simply make sure that you have your ruffle at the length indicated on your pattern (to adjust just slide the fabric on the thread to make it longer or shorter) and then put the ends of your fabric together with right sides touching and sew along the edges (this time with a regular straight stitch.)
Now let’s add those ruffles to something shall we? I’ve got 2 project options this week. The apron is a little harder-so stick with the tote unless you are DYING to try the apron. Maybe start with the tote, then try the apron?
This Ruffle Tote Bag is one of my all time favorite projects. It’s pretty easy and turns out adorable!
If you are feeling ambitious, try this ruffle apron:
Now for a soft and snuggly giveaway! Enter to win your own $50 worth of fabric from Shannon Fabrics:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Carol says
I want to make stuffed animals for kids for Christmas
Laurie says
I am going to try a quilt one of these days! I love this fabric!
melanie says
Jackets
Katy says
A tutorial on how to make a t-shirt quilt or t-shirt pillows would be great!
Kristy says
I’m learning to sew my first quilt now, so quilting techniques for beginners. 🙂
Alishia says
I have never known how to sew but I love these simple tips. I am dreaming of a maxi skirt and I hear they are super easy! I really want to make my own!
Renee says
What I’d love to learn… how to bind a quilt! Found some fantastic fabric I’d love to do new bedding with…
Jennie says
I am working on makingmybown swim diapers
Karis says
I want to learn to sew cloth diapers!
Amanda Vee says
Making ruffles is probably the most frustrating thing for me! haha I think I’m going to have a go with the ruffle tote, though. 🙂
Amber says
You can do it!
Kara burns says
Great tutorial for new sewers!!!
T Bosch says
Coats for my kids!
J. Burks says
I would love to learn how to sew kids’ clothes. Jeans, mostly since my kids are all tall and skinny. Nothing in-store fits them, and while the buttonhole elastic adjustable waistbands help, a couple of the kids still end up with a lot of fabric poofed up around their waists if we get something that’s long enough to cover their ankles. But they all still love to wear jeans over any other options!
Mary on Lake Pulaski says
Great ruffles!
Lara says
My daughter is loving the tutorials that are just for her! She is making her own ruffles now!
cris says
Thanks to you I’m not afraid of tackling ruffles!
Annette Crain says
Wow, all these cuddly beautiful fabrics and a tute on making ruffles too! I am so inspired and READY to try a new challenge. I am planning on sewing a cute little ruffly tiered skirt for my little granddaughter’s first day of Kindergarten.
Tawnya says
I made a tote bag for a 2 year old girl. I think I will add a sweet little ruffle to it now that I know how. Thank you for the tutorial!
I have been bit by the sewing bug again and would like to learn more about making clothes for my son.
Niki says
I would love to learn to sew a wallet/wristlet that can fit my iPhone WITH the Otterbox on it!