Sew far sew good on the sewing journey. Get it? Hah, I know. I’m terrible.
I mentioned last week that I got a new sewing machine for my birthday. Well, my birthday isn’t until next month, but I get to use it now. Don’t you love it when that happens?
In trying to learn how to sew, I have found some wonderful sewing and design blogs. And with all the amazing tutorials, a girl can really do just about anything she sets her mind to.
I decided the other day I wanted to learn how to make some ruffles. So with the wonderful instructions and inspiration from Dear Lillie, I got right to it.
I have a lot of linen scraps from my Linen Euro Pillows, so I decided to use this as my ruffle. I cut one strip about 2 inches wide. I determined the length by doubling the width of my tea towel I am sewing it onto.
The first thing to do was to hem the bottom part of the stripe. What I should have done was turn it over twice. Since it’s linen, once I ran it through the wash, the frays had gone crazy. But, since this was my first time, I didn’t come down on myself too hard.
Here, I had lengthened my stitch length and basically did a baste stitch on the top of my strip. I then took my top thread and pulled it to make a ruffle. Super easy.
Once I had my fabric ruffled, I pinned it to the edge of my tea towel. After I had it pinned on straight, I stitched it onto the towel using a basic straight stitch. Don’t forget to increase your stitch length after you make your ruffle.
And voila! Super easy. I wanted to do something a little bit more decorative so I cut out a cross from some extra fabric and added it to the front.
Perfect for Easter.
Can you see my little man trying to get in the picture? He thinks everything is about him. Wonder why he thinks that?
Now for the second type of ruffle. I wanted to do this on a terry towel for the bathroom.
I followed the same step for determining my length of fabric by doubling the size of the bottom my terry towel. Because I want to stitch this onto my towel down the middle of the ruffle instead of the top, I cut my fabric wider, about 4 inches.
I folded over about a quarter of an inch and pressed before I stitched my hem. Again, for a cleaner look, I’ll turn it under twice the next time.
You’ll want to be sure you do this for both sides of your fabric since you’ll be attaching your ruffle in the middle of the fabric.
Once that is done, with a longer stitch length, baste a stitch down the middle of your fabric. Take a hold of your top thread (or your bottom, doesn’t matter as long as you just pick one). Pull the thread to create your ruffle.
Once you’ve created your beautiful ruffle, straight stitch it onto your towel.
Then hang it in your bathroom for all to enjoy!
Simple, right. I think I might be addicted, though. I’m constantly thinking of different things I can add a ruffle to. A bit of a challenge since I have a son, but I’m sure I can think of some ideas. I’m sharing my ruffle towels over at these wonderful Tutorial Linky Parties. Be sure to check out other handmade goodness!
What a great start!! I’m so glad you liked my free doll/toy making tips, i promise they are not as hard as they seem, especially when you have someone walk you through each step
Photos photos photos i say hahahaha
Good luck playing around and boys can wear ruffles too
Take care and Happy Sewing,
Sarah
Sarah @ Dolls And Daydreams recently posted..Deer Fawn Stag Softie Stuffed Toy PDF Sewing Pattern Finished
Thanks so much Sarah. Who doesn’t love lots of photos????
Those are so simple, yet really add something so special to an otherwise boring towel!
Kelly, that’s what I thought too. Super easy and simply and I love those little extra touches on just about everything.
These turned out beautifully!
Dear Lillie recently posted..A 7 Easter Egg Makover Project and our BIG SALE
Super cute! I just learned how to make ruffles (duh!) and I’m addicted, too! This is a great idea!
Kelleigh @ Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs recently posted..Sweet Birdhouse Template and Cutting Files!
Ruffles intimidated me at first, but now that I know how to do it, I can’t wait to do more!
I may be a bit obsessed with ruffles as well
I’m coming from the Tuesday link up. Glad you started sewing. It’s so fun!
I love that you took the time to teach a sewing ignoramus like myself how to do this! I totally want to try it!!
Beth@A2Z recently posted..Tutorials & Tips Tuesday 5
What a cute idea! I have been collecting fabric remenants lately, with no idea what to do with them. (To say that I am a sewing novice would be generous.) But I can do a ruffle, so tea towels it is! Thanks for sharing!
Kirsten is Comfortably Domestic recently posted..Make Your Pantry- Maple Flavored Syrup
Oh I’m so glad you’ve figured out something to do with all your remnants. If you don’t get around to doing the tea towels, you can always send your remnants my way;)
~MM
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