Master How To Make Ruffles On A Sewing Machine Now

Making ruffles on a sewing machine lets you add lovely flair to your projects. You can make fabric gather up tight or fall in gentle waves. There are three main ways to create ruffles with your sewing machine: using long gathering stitches and pulling threads, using a special gathering foot, or using a ruffler foot which is the most automatic method and can also help with pleating fabric on sewing machine. This guide will show you all the methods.

How To Make Ruffles On A Sewing Machine
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Why Make Ruffles?

Ruffles add fun and style to many items.
You see them on:
* Skirts and dresses
* Blouses and shirts
* Pillows and curtains
* Bags and accessories

They turn simple items into special ones. Knowing how to make them is a great sewing skill.

Different Types of Ruffles

When we talk about ‘types of ruffles sewing’, most people think of gathered ruffles. These are made by making fabric shorter than the edge you sew it to. This makes the extra fabric puff out.

Other styles look like ruffles but use different methods:

Gathered Ruffles: These are the classic look. You make the fabric length smaller than the edge you sew it to. The fabric squishes together evenly along the seam. This is the most common type you will learn about.
Pleated Ruffles: Fabric is folded over on itself in even folds. This makes a more crisp, controlled look than gathers. A ruffler foot can help with this.
Circle Ruffles: Cut from a circle shape. Sew the inner curve to a straight edge. The outer edge falls in soft, flowy waves. It does not need gathering stitches or feet.

This post will focus mostly on making gathered ruffles using your sewing machine.

Calculating Fabric for Ruffles

How much fabric do you need for a ruffle? It depends on how full you want it to be. This is called the ‘fullness ratio’.

Low Fullness: 1.5 to 2 times the length you need. The ruffle looks gentle.
Medium Fullness: 2.5 to 3 times the length you need. This is common for clothes.
High Fullness: 3.5 to 4 times the length you need. The ruffle looks very full and fluffy.

Example: You want a ruffle that is 30 inches long when finished.
* For low fullness (2x): You need 30 inches * 2 = 60 inches of fabric length.
* For medium fullness (2.5x): You need 30 inches * 2.5 = 75 inches of fabric length.
* For high fullness (3x): You need 30 inches * 3 = 90 inches of fabric length.

Desired Ruffle Length	Fullness Ratio	Fabric Length Needed
30 inches	1.5x	45 inches
30 inches	2x	60 inches
30 inches	2.5x	75 inches
30 inches	3x	90 inches
30 inches	3.5x	105 inches
30 inches	4x	120 inches

Remember to add seam allowances to your fabric pieces. If your fabric is not wide enough, you will sew pieces together to get the needed length.

Basic Ruffle Method: Using Gathering Stitches

This is the classic way of gathering fabric with a sewing machine. It works on any machine. It gives you great control over the gathers.

What You Need:

Your sewing machine
Matching thread
Your fabric piece for the ruffle
Basic presser foot

Setting Up Your Machine:

You need to change your stitch settings.
* Stitch Type: Straight stitch.
* Stitch Length: Set this to the longest setting your machine has. It might be 4.0, 5.0, or even longer. Long stitches are easy to pull to gather the fabric. This is one of the best stitch settings for gathering.
* Tension: Some people loosen the upper thread tension slightly. This can make the stitches easier to pull. Test on a scrap first. Usually, normal tension works fine.

Steps for Gathering Fabric with Sewing Machine:

Prepare Your Fabric: Finish the raw edge that will be the bottom of the ruffle. You can use a serger, zigzag stitch, roll hem, or just fold and stitch. This stops the fabric from fraying. Press this finished edge.
Sew Two Rows of Stitches: You will sew two parallel rows of stitches along the raw edge that you will attach to your project. Do NOT backstitch at the start or end. Leave long thread tails (4-6 inches) at both ends.
- Stitch 1: Sew about 1/4 inch (6mm) from the raw edge.
- Stitch 2: Sew about 1/2 inch (12mm) from the raw edge. Keep this row between the first row and the raw edge.
- Make sure these rows are within your seam allowance. If your seam allowance is 5/8 inch, these rows must be less than 5/8 inch from the edge.
Gather the Fabric: Now, you will pull the threads to make the fabric bunch up.
- Go to one end of your fabric piece.
- Find the two bobbin threads (the threads from the bottom of your machine).
- Hold these two bobbin threads firmly with one hand.
- With your other hand, gently push the fabric along the threads towards the other end. The fabric will start to gather.
- Pull the bobbin threads from both ends of the fabric piece. This helps spread the gathers evenly.
Adjust the Gathers: Keep pulling and pushing the fabric until your ruffle piece is the right length for your project edge. Spread the gathers evenly along the thread lines. Make sure there are no flat spots or spots with too many gathers.
Secure the Gathers: Once your ruffle is the correct length and the gathers look good, gently tie the thread tails together at both ends. This stops the gathers from moving. Do not tie them too tight yet. You might need to adjust a little when sewing.

How to Sew Gathered Fabric: Attaching the Ruffle

You have gathered your fabric. Now you need to sew it to your project (like adding ruffles to a skirt).

Pin the Ruffle: Place the gathered ruffle edge onto the edge where it will be attached. Line up the raw edges. Pin the ruffle in place. Pin often to keep the gathers even. Make sure the ruffle is the correct length for the edge you are sewing it to. Adjust gathers if needed.
Check Gathers Again: Look at the gathers between the pins. Are they even? Smooth them out if they are not.
Set Your Machine: Change your stitch length back to a normal sewing length (around 2.5). Set tension back to normal.
Sew the Ruffle: Sew along the edge, just between your two gathering stitch lines. Sew with the ruffle side up if possible. This helps you see the gathers. Remove pins as you sew. Be careful not to sew over the gathering threads you will remove later.
Check the Stitch: After sewing, check your seam from the other side. Is the ruffle caught evenly?
Remove Gathering Threads: Carefully pull out the two long gathering stitches you made earlier. Pulling one thread at a time usually works best.

This method takes more time than using special feet, but it works well for many fabrics and projects.

Method 2: Using a Gathering Foot

A gathering foot is a special presser foot for your sewing machine. It makes gathering fabric easier than sewing two rows of stitches.

What is a Gathering Foot?

It’s a foot with a raised bar or ‘hump’ behind the needle. As the machine stitches, the fabric feeds under the foot. The hump helps hold the fabric back just a little bit. This makes the feed dogs below push more fabric forward than the needle is stitching. The extra fabric gets pushed under the foot, creating gathers as you sew.

Using a Gathering Foot Tutorial:

Attach the Gathering Foot: Remove your regular presser foot. Attach the gathering foot according to your machine’s manual.
Set Up Your Machine:
- Stitch Type: Straight stitch.
- Stitch Length: This controls how much the fabric gathers. Longer stitches create more gathers (fuller ruffle). Shorter stitches create fewer gathers (less full). Experiment on scraps. Start with a medium-long stitch (like 4.0).
- Tension: This also affects gathers. Higher upper thread tension can create more gathers. Lower tension creates fewer. Try increasing it slightly (e.g., to 6 or 7 instead of 4 or 5). Test on scraps!
- Needle Position: Keep the needle in the center position.
Prepare Fabric: Finish the bottom edge of your ruffle fabric if needed, just like the basic method.
Start Sewing: Place your fabric under the gathering foot. Line up the raw edge of the fabric with the edge of the foot or a mark on your machine. Sew a straight line. Do not backstitch at the start or end. Just sew the whole length you need.
Watch the Gathers: As you sew, you will see the fabric gather up behind the foot. It does the gathering for you!
Check Fullness: Once you sew the whole piece, check if the ruffle is the right length and fullness. If it is too long (not enough gathers), make your stitch length longer or increase tension. If it is too short (too many gathers), make your stitch length shorter or lower tension. You will need to test to find the right settings for your fabric and desired look.
Sew to Project: Pin the gathered ruffle to your project edge. Sew it on using a normal stitch length (2.5). Sew carefully to keep the gathers smooth.

Pros of Using a Gathering Foot:

Faster than sewing two rows of stitches.
One step gathers and sews.

Cons of Using a Gathering Foot:

Less control over exact fullness compared to pulling threads. Fullness is set by stitch length and tension.
May not work well on very thick fabrics.
Can be tricky to get even gathers if the fabric is not fed smoothly.

This foot is great for making long, continuous ruffles quickly, like for bedskirts or curtains.

Method 3: Using a Ruffler Foot

A ruffler foot is the most advanced foot for making ruffles. It actually folds the fabric into pleats or gathers as you sew. It is very fast and gives neat results, and it is great for pleating fabric on sewing machine too.

What is a Ruffler Foot?

This is a larger metal foot with moving parts. It attaches to your machine and works by pushing and folding the fabric at set intervals.

Sewing Machine Ruffler Foot Tutorial:

Attach the Ruffler Foot: This foot connects differently than a regular foot. It often has an arm that clips onto the needle bar screw. Read your ruffler foot’s instructions carefully for how to attach it to your specific machine.
Set Up the Ruffler Foot: Ruffler feet have settings to control:
- Gather Frequency (Pleat/Gather Interval): How often a pleat or gather is made. Common settings are:
  - Setting 1: Makes a pleat/gather every stitch. (Very full!)
  - Setting 6: Makes a pleat/gather every 6 stitches.
  - Setting 12: Makes a pleat/gather every 12 stitches. (Less full)
  - Setting * (Star or Line): Does not gather, just sews straight.
- Gather Depth (Pleat Depth): How deep or full each pleat/gather is. This is usually set with a screw or slider on the foot. Turning it one way makes deeper folds (more fullness). Turning it the other way makes shallower folds (less fullness).
Set Up Your Machine:
- Stitch Type: Straight stitch.
- Stitch Length: Use a normal stitch length (around 2.5-3.0). The ruffler foot creates the gathers, not the stitch length.
- Tension: Normal tension is usually fine.
Prepare Fabric: Finish the bottom edge of your ruffle fabric. You can also finish the top edge (the one you will sew to the project) before using the ruffler, as it can be hard to do after. Or, the ruffler foot can sew the ruffle onto another fabric edge while gathering it.
Start Sewing:
- Lift the presser foot lever.
- Slide your fabric under the foot. Make sure the raw edge is lined up correctly (usually along a guide on the foot).
- Lower the presser foot.
- Start sewing. The ruffler will grab and fold the fabric automatically as you sew.
Sew to Project (Option 1: Gather only): Sew the whole ruffle piece. The ruffler makes the fabric a certain length based on its settings. You might need to experiment to get the exact length you need. Once gathered, you can pin it to your project and sew it on with a regular foot, similar to the gathering stitch method.
Sew to Project (Option 2: Gather and Attach at once): This is a great feature of the ruffler. You can feed the fabric to be ruffled under the ruffler part, and feed the fabric you are sewing the ruffle onto straight under the foot. The ruffler gathers the bottom fabric and stitches it to the top fabric all in one step. This is how you might attach adding ruffles to a skirt hem very quickly. Line up the flat skirt hem under the foot, and the ruffle fabric under the ruffler mechanism.

Pros of Using a Ruffler Foot:

Very fast! Makes gathers/pleats automatically.
Can create very even pleats or gathers.
Can sew the ruffle onto your project while gathering.

Cons of Using a Ruffler Foot:

Can be tricky to set up and learn at first.
Settings (frequency and depth) take testing to get the right fullness.
Might not work well on very thick or very thin/slippery fabrics.
More expensive than a gathering foot.
Makes actual pleats (folds) more than soft gathers unless set for frequent shallow folds.

This foot is a powerhouse for repetitive ruffling or pleating projects. It saves a lot of time once you master it.

Ruffle Sewing Techniques

No matter which method you choose, some tips help you make better ruffles. These are useful ruffle sewing techniques.

Finish the Edge First: Always finish the bottom edge of your ruffle piece before you gather the top edge. It is much easier to hem a flat piece of fabric.
Use Quality Thread: Use strong thread for gathering stitches. If the thread breaks while you are pulling, it’s a hassle to fix.
Test on Scraps: Before you work on your final fabric, test your gathering method and settings on a scrap of the same fabric. This helps you find the right stitch length, tension, and fullness.
Divide and Conquer: Divide your ruffle fabric and the edge you are sewing it to into quarters or eighths. Mark these points (with pins or chalk). This helps you spread the gathers evenly. Pin the quarter marks of the ruffle to the quarter marks of the project edge.
Control While Sewing: When sewing the gathered ruffle to your project, go slowly. Use your fingers to smooth the gathers just before they go under the presser foot. Make sure the gathers are laying flat and are caught in the seam.
Pressing: Once the ruffle is sewn on, press the seam allowance towards the main fabric (not towards the ruffle). This helps the ruffle lay nicely. You can press the ruffle itself lightly from the wrong side if needed, but be careful not to flatten soft gathers too much.

Adding Ruffles to a Skirt: A Step-by-Step Example

Adding ruffles to a skirt is a common project. Let’s walk through adding one ruffle layer to the bottom hem of a simple skirt.

Prepare the Skirt: Sew the skirt seams. Finish the raw bottom edge of the skirt (if it is not already hemmed). This edge is where the ruffle will attach.
Calculate Ruffle Fabric: Measure the length of the skirt hem edge. This is your ‘Desired Ruffle Length’. Decide on your fullness ratio (e.g., 2.5x for medium fullness). Multiply the hem length by the ratio to find out how much fabric length you need for the ruffle. Add seam allowances (often 1/2 inch or 5/8 inch on both long edges). Cut your fabric pieces and sew them together if needed to get the required length.
- Example: Skirt hem is 60 inches. You want 2.5x fullness. Need 60 * 2.5 = 150 inches of ruffle length. Add 1 inch for seam allowances (1/2 inch top, 1/2 inch bottom) to the width, and add 1 inch to the length for joining fabric pieces if you have to sew strips together.
Finish Ruffle Hem: Finish the bottom edge of the ruffle fabric (the edge that will hang down). Hem it, serge it, or use a different finish. Press the hem.
Gather the Ruffle Fabric: Use one of the three methods learned:
- Gathering Stitches: Sew two rows of long stitches along the unhemmed edge (the top edge). Pull the bobbin threads to gather the fabric until it is the same length as the skirt hem (60 inches in our example). Tie off the threads loosely.
- Gathering Foot: Attach the gathering foot. Test stitch length/tension on scraps to get the right fullness. Sew along the top edge of the ruffle fabric until it measures the same length as the skirt hem.
- Ruffler Foot: Attach the ruffler foot. Test settings (interval and depth) on scraps to get the right fullness/length. Sew along the top edge of the ruffle fabric until it measures the same length as the skirt hem.
Attach Ruffle to Skirt:
- Pin the gathered ruffle to the bottom edge of the skirt. Line up the raw edges (the top edge of the ruffle with the bottom edge of the skirt).
- If you used gathering stitches, make sure your pins are between the two stitch lines.
- Divide the skirt hem and the gathered ruffle into quarters (and eighths for long ruffles). Match these points with pins first. Then pin between these points, spreading the gathers evenly.
- Set your machine to a normal stitch length (around 2.5).
- Sew the ruffle to the skirt, sewing just above your gathering stitches (if used). Remove pins as you sew. Go slowly, helping feed the gathered fabric smoothly.
Finish the Seam: Press the seam allowance upwards, towards the skirt body. You can finish this raw seam allowance edge with a serger or zigzag stitch to stop it from fraying inside the skirt.
Remove Gathering Stitches: If you used gathering stitches, carefully pull them out.
Final Press: Give the skirt hem and ruffle a final light press.

This process can be adapted for adding ruffles to sleeves, shirt fronts, pillows, or any edge!

Grasping the Concepts of Ruffle Fullness

The ‘fullness ratio’ is key to how your ruffle looks.

A 1.5x fullness will lie quite flat, with just soft waves.
A 2x fullness is a common starting point. It has clear gathers but isn’t overly bulky.
A 3x fullness is very full and bouncy. It uses a lot more fabric.

Think about your fabric too.
* Thick fabrics become very bulky with high fullness. Use a lower ratio (1.5x – 2x).
* Thin, lightweight fabrics look great with higher fullness (3x – 4x).

Experiment with different ratios on scrap fabric to see what look you like best for your project.

Troubleshooting Common Ruffle Problems

Sometimes things don’t go perfectly when making ruffles. Here are some common issues and how to fix them.

Gathering thread broke: If you break one gathering thread, you might still be able to pull the fabric using the other thread. If both break, you might need to sew new gathering stitches slightly below or above the broken ones. Try sewing slower and leaving longer tails next time. Use stronger thread.
Gathers are uneven: This happens if you don’t divide and mark your edges, or if you pull gathers from only one end. Always pull from both ends of your gathering stitches. Divide your edges and match them up when pinning. Take your time spreading the gathers evenly before sewing.
Ruffle is the wrong length: If you used gathering stitches, you can adjust the length by pulling more or less. If you used a gathering or ruffler foot, the length is set by your machine/foot settings and fabric. You might need to sew the ruffle again with different settings. Always test on scraps first to predict the final length.
Fabric doesn’t gather well with the foot: Some fabrics (very thick, very thin, slippery) are harder for gathering or ruffler feet. Make sure your needle is sharp and correct for the fabric type. Adjust stitch length and tension. For difficult fabrics, the gathering stitch method might be better.
Ruffle seam looks messy: Make sure you are sewing just next to your gathering stitches, not on them. Press the seam allowance up after sewing. Trim the seam allowance neatly. Finishing the raw edge of the seam allowance helps too.

Beyond the Basic Gather: More Ruffle Ideas

Once you know how to make simple gathered ruffles, you can try more ideas:

Layered Ruffles: Sew several rows of ruffles one above the other. Start from the bottom and work your way up.
Ruffles on an Edge: Instead of sewing the ruffle into a seam, you can sew it onto a finished edge, like the outside of a pillow case or edge of a blanket.
Curved Ruffles: Ruffles can follow a curve. Calculate the length needed for the curve, gather, and sew carefully along the curve.
Ruffles with Trim: Add lace or other trim to the bottom edge of your ruffle before gathering.

Interpreting the Art of Ruffling

Making ruffles is not just about sewing straight lines. It is an art.
* The type of fabric changes the look. Stiff fabric makes puffy ruffles. Soft fabric makes flowy ruffles.
* The fullness ratio changes the look. More fabric means more drama.
* The gathering method affects how even the gathers are. Gathering stitches give most control. Ruffler foot is fast and precise if set right.

Practice helps you get a feel for different fabrics and settings. Soon, you will be able to look at a design and know how much fabric you need and the best method to use.

FAQ

Q: Can I gather thick fabric with a sewing machine?
A: Yes, you can. The gathering stitch method usually works best for thick fabrics. Use a long stitch length and strong thread. Pull the threads gently. Gathering and ruffler feet might struggle with very thick fabrics.

Q: Do I need special thread for gathering?
A: Using strong thread (like regular polyester sewing thread) is best for gathering stitches. Avoid very thin or weak threads that might break when you pull them.

Q: What are the best stitch settings for gathering fabric by pulling threads?
A: Use the longest stitch length your machine has (often 4.0 or 5.0). Leave thread tension normal or slightly increased (test first). Do not backstitch.

Q: How do I attach a ruffle to a curved edge?
A: Calculate the length of the curve. Cut your ruffle fabric based on your desired fullness for that length. Gather the ruffle to match the curve length. Pin the gathered ruffle to the curve, matching quarter or eighth marks. Sew slowly along the curve, easing the ruffle as you go.

Q: Can I gather fabric without a special foot?
A: Yes, the basic method using two rows of long gathering stitches works on any sewing machine with a straight stitch and is very effective.

Q: My ruffler foot makes pleats instead of gathers. How do I fix it?
A: A ruffler foot can make both! To get softer gathers instead of crisp pleats, try setting the ruffler to make folds more often (e.g., setting “1” or “6”) and set the depth adjustment to make shallower folds. Test different settings on scraps.

Making ruffles is a simple technique with big impact. With practice, you will quickly master the methods and add beautiful ruffles to all your sewing projects. Choose the method that works best for your fabric, project, and machine. Happy sewing!