What You Don't Know About Sewing Ruffles

[@emiishino5422]

Omg, I have been sewing for over 50 years. This is the first time I've heard this! Maybe that's why I hate doing ruffles. Going to try it next time.

[@thetailorette]

Yes!! I can totally relate. Never I have heard of any seamstress talking about this anywhere.

[@nommh]

Only 40 years here, but I never knew to cut ruffles on the cross either. Thankfully I mostly do not need rufflles. Before I had the ruffling foot for my serger I would not put ruffles on anything! Now I know…

[@michellecornum5856]

WoW! The things ya don't know could fill a book!

[@thetailorette]

Yeah I agree!

[@hannelore03]

Wow. Now I know why I do not get the same result all the time. I cut my gathering strips out of the longest pieces, but not always along the selvage. Never knew it could make such a difference. And I have been sewing for more then 40 years. Thanks so much for you tips and tricks.😁👍🏻

[@thetailorette]

Yes! I know what you mean. Honestly I wouldn't have figured this out if I didn't make so many regency dresses. I started noticing gathers would be different on the same exact materials and I dug in to find out why. It's changed my way of sewing for sure!

[@paulawhite3547]

My Mom used to make them on the bias.

[@thetailorette]

Yes, I'm going to have to try that some time.

[@TheMi1044]

Whoah! Definitely helpful to see it done both ways, now I’ll be able to have consistent gathers! Thank you!

[@thetailorette]

You're welcome! Glad this was helpful for you :)

[@Side-Quest-Workshop]

As a beginner, I can't tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to share this. You've made me look at fabric more analytically.

[@sewsew100]

Very interesting video. I didn't know that the way you cut the fabric would make such a difference. Thanks for sharing this.

[@thetailorette]

You're welcome! Yes, I was surprised myself when I stumbled upon this too!

[@selfsufficientsue3307]

Who knew??? Thank you for this little tip!!

[@thetailorette]

Absolutely! Glad to share :)

[@AsiaAlexander]

Omg! This explains everything wrong on my current project! I thought I was overthinking it! Thank you!😭

[@rebeccaharden6018]

I’ve been sewing all my life.I never knew this!!! Thank you.

[@TheDovesNest]

If you’re gathering parallel to the selvedge and making a floor length skirt, wouldn’t you have to create it in layers since most fabric is only 42-55” wide? Or how do you get around that?

[@SewingwithSessi]

Never knew this.. your an eye opener

[@margaretmorales836]

I thought I was the only one pressing my ruffles. In fact I was embarrassed to let anyone know. I did that. I discovered how beautiful my gathers looked when slightly pressed, quite be accident. It truly makes all the difference when pressed the right way.

[@aroger2486]

I didn't know there was a difference between the 2. I definitely see it now. The salvage one definitely looks way better. Thank you for that information.

[@thetailorette]

You're welcome! I'm happy to share these little tips. :)

[@malingoldmantsubarah3001]

Love your tutorials!! I think the ruffles cut along the selvedge edge stays - and looks 😃 - crisp because the fabric doesn't stretch that way! I always cut my skirt/pant waist band along the selvedge edge. When you cut across the fabric - 90 degrees from the selvedge edge - almost every fabric has some stretch to it and I'm guessing that's way the ruffles cut that way doesn't stay neat and crisp: they stretch out of shape! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge 😃

[@thetailorette]

Yes good point! I still need to experiment with ruffles cut on the bias, but I can see where the stretch would make them a bit misshapen. Glad you enjoyed my video :)

[@malingoldmantsubarah3001]

@@thetailorette Never done ruffles on the bias but want to try it 😃

[@roxanne4657]

I agree with you. Thanks for the tip.

[@thetailorette]

You're welcome!

[@Kylla8]

I think your prefer method will work great as 18th century trimming.

[@thetailorette]

Yes! I agree! :)

[@ipomoea2]

I had no idea! Always struggle with gartering, will try this next time!

[@thetailorette]

Glad this was helpful! I struggled with it too for a while, especially on synthetic materials.

[@KattGothica]

Hmm cool. Learn something every day. Thanks bunches!

[@thetailorette]

You're welcome! Glad this was helpful for you. :)

[@lauralazar659]

Thank you so much. Ready to start a very gathered skirt for my grand daughter, on synthetic and this advice will help SO much. Thank you. Yes, I have been making gathers since the 1970s and did not know this.

[@justyna1263]

Lol I’ve never noticed that! Thanks for the tip!

[@thetailorette]

You're welcome! :)

[@amauryy4417]

Very interesting!

[@kerrymcilwaine]

What a magnificent channel, so glad I found you x

[@thetailorette]

Thank you!

[@lazygirlprocrastinatingmas9886]

Thanks for the tip! I was about to gather 100 yards of strips of fabric to make a petticoat, and was wondering if it would be better for me to cut the stripes on the grain or not, now I have my answer 😊

[@FOPYSFrance]

Great thank you! Appreciate the prompt response 😊

[@thetailorette]

You’re welcome! 🙂

[@vittopi8524]

Thank you! I never thought about that before (I’m less than a beginner at sewing) and your explanation is very helpful 😊

[@thetailorette]

Thank you for the encouragement! Glad it was understandable for a beginner.

[@shaidabegum.]

I have been binge watching your channel, i love your work, your sewing is neat and the knowledge you share is priceless. Your voice is calming. I would love to know the composition of the fabrics you use. Thank you very much, love from uk.

[@thetailorette]

Thank you! :) So glad you are enjoying my channel. The composition of the fabric in this video is %100 polyester. However, in my future videos I'll be sure to include what my materials are made of. Also, let me know if you have any ideas of what you would like to see on my channel!

[@Damoire]

Thank you very much for sharing this technique it's a really great look.

[@thetailorette]

You're welcome! Glad it was helpful for you :)

[@JessNicoleHandmade]

Thanks so much for sharing this info! I've always hated making ruffles and now know why! Now I can't wait to make some on the selvage this time!

[@thetailorette]

So glad you enjoyed this video! It makes a huge difference when the ruffles are in the correct direction 😀

[@famprima]

Excellent advice. Never knew this and it explains a LOT on gathering in my past I hated!!

[@thetailorette]

So glad this was helpful!!

[@peterthornely3430]

i have done both ways but people like "full" look its a lot harder but with the grain is alot easier this great vid ty

[@thetailorette]

Glad you enjoyed my video! I agree, either way has it's own look. :)

[@shaidabegum.]

👍👌👏❤️Thank you very much.

[@thetailorette]

You're welcome!

[@hollydelaney6175]

Thanks! Great tip. Didn't know this - and yes, it does make a difference!

[@elizabethclaiborne6461]

Wow! 😳 That’s amazing!

[@TealCheetah]

This just saved me a lot of grief on a project. The cotton organdy Im using for petticoat ruffles does NOT tear straight from selvage to selvage. But it tears /great/ along the selvage. I wouldn't have thought to try along the selvage after s to s tearing went so badly.

[@christinelee6477]

Thank you for sharing this. I didn't know this. I feel you may need extra yardage if cutting the ruffles along the selvage, but I guess if you're making a dress you'd be using a good amount of fabric anyways.

[@22mononoke]

Thank you this is really interesting to know. But just wondering, does this apply to all types of fabric or just satin/silk? For instance, would cottons and linens also be better cut along the grain?

[@k_golly_g]

Thanks for this! How about bias ruffles? I have a pattern that calls for miles of ruffles made on bias cut fabric.

[@thetailorette]

Good question! I still need to experiment with that actually. Let me know how it goes!

[@melindabaranyinekovacs5461]

@@thetailorette periodicals always recommended to cut the ruffles on the bias, thus the flounce will "fly" on it's own. I always cut them on the bias and they have a pretty good and stiff feature.

[@emilysmith2784]

Is there a way to tell which edge is the salvage edge if you don’t have the salvage anymore? Say if you are working with off cuts from another project or using a bed sheet or something.

[@thetailorette]

Excellent question! There is a stretchy side and a tight side... the direction along the selvage is tight and not stretchy, while the direction going with the cut edge is slightly more stretchy (little less stretchy than the bias though). Hope that made sense!

[@seamlyseamstress3296]

I love this video. I made a civil war dress awhile ago and followed your tips. Thank you for sharing. I do have a question when sewing multiple rows of ruffles onto a civil war skirt how do you get each row straight and even?

[@JennyBartG]

This works perfect without changeant colors. But not two colors woven material

[@FOPYSFrance]

Hi, I've just subscribed, I'm keen to learn from you. Regarding the ruffles when using fabric without a selvedge, would it help to sew a ribbon or bias tape on the back when doing the gathering stitch to mock the selvedge?

[@thetailorette]

Glad you joined my community! 🙂 I would say bias tape or ribbon wouldn’t help with this technique as it relates to the direction of the fabric. It has to do with the weave of the material that creates a more bunchy look when the stitches are run parallel to the selvage. The only way to achieve smooth gathers is by sewing your gathering stitches perpendicular to the selvage. Hope that makes sense 🙂

[@TealCheetah]

so it's NOT my imagination that sometimes gathers gather like shit, and now I know why!

[@michellecornum5856]

You nailed that one!

[@thetailorette]

yes! I felt the same way... and I finally had to dig in to figure out why my gathers were inconsistent.

[@l.schweig4852]

I am going to echo other folks. 35+ years of sewing and I was NEVER taught this!

[@thetailorette]

Yes! it's definitely not something that is talked about in the sewing world. I have never seen this taught anywhere.

[@charlarp]

💕💕💕