The Beauty of Ruffles: Textiles

The Beauty of Ruffles

As you've probably inferred this post is going to be about the magnificence of ruffles. Ruffles are the easiest and most effect piece of embellishment that you can add to almost anything. Of course patience is a must like any textile or art piece, I would know as I am the least patient person you'll come across, but done the right way they can be fast and effective in transforming an old garment.

The key components of ruffle making are of course the obvious, stiff fabrics will create the most volume and hold its shape. the worst part of making a ruffle is when you use a silky fabric so when you gather the material the texture just slips out leaving the ruffle uneven.However if you are careful and are in a position to take your time light weight fabric can create a beautiful, elegant look. 

Secondly, layers, layers layers! I cant stress enough that the more layers you have the more volume, texture and dramatic effect you will make. You've just got to be careful when pulling you ruffle together that you don't snap it from the extra tension from the added layers.

Examples of extravagant ruffle use in Dior and the Alexander Mcqueen 2006 catwalk

On to the ruffle making! Obviously not on such an elite scale.

You'll need to gather your fabrics depending on the effects you are after. Also either a sewing machine set to the longest stitch length or you can use a needle and thread and do it the longer way.

This is an image of a ruffle all layered up and ready to sew for my final textile piece. As you can see I have used three fabrics. a synthetic  fabric which I burnt round the edges to stop annoying fraying and two natural cotton fabrics which contrast in texture. the natural fabric will help create body to the ruffle and the synthetic to reflect the light making it stand out more.

From here you'll want to do a simple running stitch with the longest stitch available on your machine. If you're doing it by hand, make each running stitch about 1 cm or just under.

  <running stitch

After you've made your stitch don't tie off the thread and leave yourself quite a bit of excess. Take hold of either the top or bottom thread or if you've done it by hand just one thread from the end with the most excess. Then gently pull the thread to gather the fabric, at the same time pushing the fabric down the thread you are holding. do this gently as you don't want to snap the thread as you'll have to do this all over again!

 Your ruffle should look similar to this (not my picture by the way). you spread the ruffle out to suit your tastes and of the density of the ruffle, then pin it down and sew it onto your garment, bag etc. By sewing your running stitch in different positions you can create a different effect. Example:

 (not my own picture)

This will make a more flared ruffle when gathered.

Here is an image of the sleeve of my final piece when I was adding ruffles as an example of ruffle use.

And here are a few images of the final look.

I hope this post has given some inspiration!