Adding a ruffle to the Felicia Custom Cup Size Dress sewing pattern can give it a lovely, decorative touch. I used the mini cut line for my dress and I love how it turned out. Here’s a step-by-step guide to add a ruffle to your dress:
Materials Needed:
- Fabric for the ruffle
- Felicia Custom Cup Size Dress Pattern and fabric
- Measuring tape
- Scissors or rotary cutter
- Pins
- Sewing machine
- Iron
Steps:
1. Measure the Hem Circumference:
- Measure the circumference of the skirt hem where you want to attach the ruffle.
2. Calculate the Ruffle Length:
- The length of the ruffle strip should be 1.5 to 2 times the circumference of the skirt hem. This will create a gathered effect. I used 2 times the circumference for my dress.
- For example, if the hem circumference is 80 inches, the ruffle length should be between 120 inches (1.5 times) and 160 inches (2 times).
3. Determine the Ruffle Height:
- The height of the ruffle will be 4.25 inches. This includes seam and hem allowances. If you want a different finished ruffle width, add seam allowances to your desired finished height.
4. Cut the Ruffle Fabric:
- Cut the ruffle fabric strips to your calculated length and a height of 4.25 inches. You may need to piece together multiple strips to achieve the required length. I used three strips for my ruffle.
5. Prepare the Ruffle Strips:
- If you need to piece strips together, place two strips right sides together and sew a seam with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Press the seams open.
6. Hem the Ruffle:
- Fold one long edge of the ruffle strip under by 1/2 inch, press to create the hem.
- Stitch close to the pressed raw edge to secure the hem.
7. Gather the Ruffle:
- Set your sewing machine to the longest stitch length and sew two parallel rows of basting stitches along the unhemmed edge of the ruffle strip, about 1/4 inch apart.
- Leave long thread tails at the beginning and end.
- Pull the bobbin threads to gather the fabric until the ruffle length matches the circumference of the skirt hem.
8. Attach the Ruffle to the Skirt:
- Quarter you ruffle and mark the four even sections with pins/clips to make attaching the ruffle evenly, easier.
- With the right sides together, pin the gathered edge of the ruffle to the skirt hem, adjusting the gathers evenly.
- Sew the ruffle to the skirt with a 1/4- 3/8-inch seam allowance.
- Remove the basting stitches if they show on the right side of the fabric.
9. Finish the Seam:
- Finish the raw edges of the seam with a serger or zigzag stitch, if you haven't already.
- Press the seam towards the skirt.
- Topstitch or coverstitch for a professional look.
10. Final Pressing:
- Press the ruffle seam to ensure it lays flat.
Tip:
- When piecing ruffle strips together, try to match patterns or stripes if your fabric has them.
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I hope this was an easy and fun tutorial for you to use to add a flirty ruffle to your dress! I would love it if you would share a few photos of your creation with me in my Facebook group or tag me on any social media channels.
Happy Sewing,
Lindsey
