Let's Compare Ruffles So That You Can Choose How Much Volume You Want // Plus a Sanity Saving Tip

[@MariSews]

Don’t forget to send me pictures or post them on Instagram using #ProjectDressAGirl and tag me @marisewsforcurves.

[@blueRosesforme]

You are a natural at teaching. I love how you do the details, showing how to make a ruffle. It is a clever way to add ruffles. Thank you for sharing!

[@MariSews]

You’re welcome and thank you for the compliment.

[@carmensalome]

Oh my Mari!! This is fabulous information. Thank you for sharing. I just might start adding ruffles to all my makes now 😂

[@MariSews]

😂😂😂 they can be pretty addictive.

[@TodayinJensSewingRoom]

First thing I wondered - how you do your gathering. I'm tempted to try the overlock method but the thing is, I can't tell how much it's going to ruffle and whether or not the ruffled piece is going to fit the skirt. I may try the elastic method but that seems like it would add a lot of bulk. I usually just default to the traditional 2 or 3 lines of basting. But . . . I also think I'm going to try using Lindsey's advice to use the basting stitch on my machine instead of just lengthening my stitch. We'll see how that goes - I'll keep you posted! ❤️😘

[@MariSews]

I edited out a whole section about the different methods. When I do it on my serger, I set it to do tight ruffles than I make sure to leave really long tails on both ends so that I can let out some of the gathering and adjust. Typically It’s not a problem if I’m self drafting a ruffle but if I’m using one from a pattern, it can be a bit of a hassle.

[@pipermarau]

you are saving my life right now with this breakdown. i got myself in too deep with a gunne sax recreation project and ran out of fabric, then gained weight in the process of making the dress so now it's a skirt...omg it's been a ride. thaaaaannkk yooouuu!!!

[@MariSews]

We’ve all been there! I’m sure your skirt will be amazing!

[@SewAndTellwithDori]

VERY helpful video! Great visual comparisons. Thanks, Mari!!!!!

[@MariSews]

You’re welcome

[@SebastianCreek9449]

Thank you SO MUCH GIRLLL YOU SAVED ME FROM DOING WAY TOO MUCH OR LITTLE HAHA

[@MariSews]

Glad to help! 🥰

[@jacqpot9413]

I loved seeing the visual demos of the different gathering ratios. I've used the basic 1.5/1 ratio for adult gathering and 2.0/1 for children's garments. More looks even fancier. I've found it helpful to hold the thread as it comes off the spool on my regular sewing machine as I stitch the basting stitches. It does some of the ruffling for me and I can add some or take some away later as needed. Just gives me a head start on the ruffling.

[@MariSews]

You’re a genius! I’m definitely going to have to try that soon!

[@homemadebydebbie5294]

Thank you so much! I want to see a ruffle on my apron and wasn't sure how much fabric I need. You are so perky and fun, I just subscribed.

[@MariSews]

Thanks! So many people had the same question, so I’m happy it’s helpful.

[@annguglielmino8989]

You just saved my life! It is late...my gathering thread just broke and it is all I need to do to finish my dress a girl dress. I may never do another ruffle as long as I live.....

[@MariSews]

That’s the worst. Sometimes when that happens I’ll just pin the gathers in place and call it’s a day but what a bummer.

[@santisanti8386]

Thank you sooo much! You are adorable and an excellent teacher!

[@MariSews]

Thank you

[@Manecoarse]

This video is so helpful, and those little dresses are the cutest.

[@MariSews]

Thanks

[@msbdot1]

I’ve been sewing today on my dresses, and have been adding ruffles to some. I love how they turned out. That extra just adds such a great accent…makes them more girly. So cute!! Question…. On the instructions for your dress, Mari, you say to leave a slit at the hem of larger dresses. For those dresses, if there is a 5-6” ruffle, does there still need to be a slit?

[@MariSews]

Nope. You got the girl covered with that ruffle.

[@kimijackson5200]

Exactly the information I was looking for. Thank you!

[@MariSews]

You’re very welcome

[@denisedorsey2889]

Great visuals for ruffles, Mari. When making dresses for DAG, I just cut twice the width of the fabric and use that. I have been known to pin the unruffled fabric to the dress at quarters or eighths and ruffle the fabric by hand in each section as it goes under the presser foot. Unconventional, I know, but a time saver once you get the hang of it. I think I’m really just creating little pleats as I go.

[@MariSews]

I love the idea of little pleats on the dresses tho! I saw a picture of someone who did that and it was adorable.

[@jmanonmakes]

This was really helpful. Thank you.

[@MariSews]

You’re welcome!

[@victoriahannah1633]

That sounds like a great way to do ruffles. I never thought about breaking it down in sections. I really get aggravated when the threads pop. Also I can be quite tiresome to go all the way around a hem.

[@MariSews]

💯. Sometimes it feels like your their forever. Especially on adult garments.

[@victoriahannah1633]

@@MariSews No it felt like I was there forever ironing the new fabric and still not finished.

[@robinagaines6388]

Thank you. Keep the hard work up!

[@MariSews]

Thanks! We will be at it again this September!

[@craftymystic4868]

For super long ruffles, I use the ruffling foot from my serger, setting it at 1.5 will gather 1.5, 2.5 will gather 2 and a half, etc. you do need to set it up and practice a bit, but if you are assembly line sewing these dresses, that’s what I would do. You can get ruffling feet for your sewing machine as well.

[@MariSews]

I did not know this about the settings! I definitely need some ruffling feet

[@bkayepokrant9084]

Can I use a purchased t-shirt and add fabric to make a dress for this project

[@MariSews]

You sure can!!! I can’t wait to see it.

[@janetlink9756]

Does the calculation you do on the ruffle make it a one on one fit where you dont have to ease in the ruffle strip? I guess actually im thinking of a ruffler foot attachment for the machine where you cant adjust the gathers.or ruffles once they are done.

[@MariSews]

I’ve never used a ruffle foot. When I’m not being lazy, I do my ruffles by hand with two rows of basting stitches. When I am being lazy, I let the serger handle it and just make sure it makes a tight ruffle so that I can loosen it up if needed.

[@pricklypear7516]

Regardless of how you do your ruffles, before you begin gathering, ALWAYS mark your cardinal points: mark dead center front as well as both sides to line up with the garment. Otherwise, you can get lost for hours trying to distribute the gathers evenly. In other words, if your fabric strip is 120 inches, 60 inches will time out to front, while 30 and 90 will be the sides.

[@MariSews]

Great tip

[@brendaw6319]

Do you have a pattern for those girls dresses???

[@MariSews]

Yes. Check out my simple sundress video in the dress a girl play list

[@FirstLadyDurr]

Omg! This is the best video! I struggled with ruffles however I love this! I’m like @carmensalome…I’m adding ruffles to my underwear🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@MariSews]

Hahaha! So silly

[@FirstLadyDurr]

@@MariSews dumb question…for adult dresses it’s 2.5 times the circumference for the more “detailed” ruffles correct?

[@MariSews]

@@FirstLadyDurr I’d go 2 - 2.5

[@ChristineSewsALot]

It is the worst when you are almost finished gathering and that thread pops!!! 😱

[@MariSews]

💯

[@StormyHotwolf88]

OK, doing 3X the length LOL

[@MariSews]

Have fun with that!