How to Gather Fabric into Ruffles

Co-authored by Lois Wade

Last Updated: September 23, 2022

Many articles of clothing that you sew call for ruffles. There might be ruffles on the sleeves, on a men's dress shirt, or, most commonly, on a long tiered skirt. In order to stitch fabric so that it creates ruffles, it's necessary to gather the edge to create ruffles and have it ease evenly and smoothly into any area of the garment that calls for ruffles. This is not as easy as it sounds, because gathering them evenly can many times be difficult and time consuming. But with this guide, you'll be able to make perfect ruffles to liven up any garment!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

By Hand

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1
Thread a needle with a thread that is at least one foot longer than the length you need to gather down to. For example, if you need to gather a length of ribbon to 8 inches (20.3 cm) long, you will need at least 20 inches (50.8 cm) of thread. Tie a knot on the end of your thread.
2
Hold thread firmly and gently slide cloth along the thread to gather it. Sew 3-4mm (1/4 inch) running stitches along the edge to be gathered. Pull gently to slide your material in small waves/folds toward the knotted end of your thread as you sew the running stitch. When all of your material has been "gathered" to the length you want, tie off your thread securely.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

By Machine

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1
Adjust stitch length to its longest setting. Usually 6mm will be good. Lengthen your machine stitch to its longest setting.
2
Slightly loosen your tension on the top thread (the one going through the needle).
3
Sew two lines/seams close to the edge of your fabric.
- Take care to sew parallel lines that they do not cross each other. Leave long threads on each end of the seam.
4
Tie bottom (bobbin) thread into a sturdy knot. Knot the bottom (bobbin) threads together at one end of the area to be gathered.
5
Pull bottom (bobbin) thread while gently sliding fabric along it to form waves/folds. Gently pull the bottom (bobbin) threads from the other end and carefully slide the cloth along the threads toward your knot, forming small waves/folds. When your cloth has been "gathered" to the needed length, knot the gathering ends securely with each other.
6
Make your gathering even by gently sliding "bunched" areas apart and toward smoother areas of your parallel threads.

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Question

How do you calculate the length of fabric to be gathered?

Community Answer

This will vary from fabric to fabric but roughly, you'd need 2.5 times the finished length. So, if you needed one foot of ruffle, you would use 2.5 feet of fabric.

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Question

How do you sew multiple ruffles on a long sleeve?

Community Answer

Start with the lowest ruffle down. Sew it. Then sew the next one above it and work your way up the sleeve.

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Question

How do I make a ruffle that is 10 feet long?

Community Answer

Use 25 feet of fabric and follow the above steps.

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Tips

It is much easier to hem the gathered fabric before gathering.

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Use a strong thread, such as Coats & Clark. The less expensive brands will snap much more easily and you will need to do all your work all over again.

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Using a zig-zag stitch, and gently tugging the bobbin thread, can make the gathers by sewing but one row of zz stitches. Test the width & length of the zz desired.

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