A ruffle is two rows of stitching that gather fabric into folds

A ruffle is made by sewing two parallel lines through a strip of fabric, then pulling the thread to bunch the fabric into even waves. The machine does the stitching; your hands do the gathering. You can add ruffles to edges (like a pillowcase or sleeve) or sew them as a strip onto flat fabric. The whole process takes about 15 minutes once you understand the steps.

The key is that both rows of stitching must be loose enough to pull without breaking. Most people use the longest stitch length their machine offers, which makes the thread easier to grip and gather. You'll need a strip of fabric roughly twice as long as the edge you want to ruffle—the gathering shrinks it down.

Key Takeaways

  • Sew two parallel lines of loose, long stitches through your fabric strip, leaving thread tails long enough to pull.
  • Pull both threads from the same end to bunch the fabric evenly, then wrap the thread around a pin to hold the gathers in place.
  • Pin the gathered ruffle to your project piece with right sides facing, then sew it down with a normal stitch length.
  • The ruffle fabric should be roughly twice the length of the edge you are attaching it to, so it has enough material to gather.

Prepare your fabric strip and mark the stitch lines

Cut a strip of fabric as long as you can manage—ideally twice the length of the finished ruffle you want. The width is up to you; most ruffles are between 1 and 3 inches wide. Press it flat with an iron so it lies smooth and you can see your marks clearly.

Mark two lines parallel to the long edges of the strip, about 1/4 inch from each edge. You can use a fabric pencil, chalk, or even a ballpoint pen on the back side. These lines are where your gathering stitches will go. They need to be straight and the same distance from the edge on both sides, or your ruffle will pull unevenly.

Sew the first gathering line with a long stitch

Set your machine to the longest stitch length available—usually 5 or 6 on most machines. Use regular thread, not heavy-duty thread, because you need to be able to pull it without it snapping. Sew along your first marked line, starting at one end of the strip and going all the way to the other end.

Do not backstitch at the beginning or end. Leave at least 3 inches of thread hanging loose on both sides of the strip. These thread tails are what you will pull to gather the fabric, so the longer they are, the easier they are to grip. If your thread breaks while you are pulling, you will have to start over, so loose thread is your friend here.

Sew the second gathering line parallel to the first

Sew the second line of stitching along your second marked line, using the same long stitch length. Again, leave 3 inches of thread loose on both ends. Both lines should run the full length of your fabric strip and be parallel to each other. If one line is shorter than the other, the ruffle will bunch unevenly.

Check that both lines are roughly the same distance from the edges of the strip. If one is 1/4 inch from the edge and the other is 3/8 inch, the ruffle will look lopsided once you gather it. Take a moment to measure before you move on.

Pull the threads to gather the fabric into waves

Pick up one end of the strip. Grab the two thread tails on that same end—one from each gathering line—and pull them gently toward you. The fabric will begin to bunch up. Pull slowly and evenly so the gathers form in a smooth wave pattern rather than bunching up in one spot.

Keep pulling until the strip is roughly the length you need. If you want a 12-inch ruffle, pull until the strip is about 12 inches long. The gathers should look even across the whole strip, with no gaps or tight spots. Once you have the length right, wrap the thread tails around a pin or a small safety pin to hold the gathers in place. Do not cut the threads yet—you may need to adjust the gathers.

Pin the ruffle to your project and sew it down

Place your gathered ruffle strip on top of the piece you are attaching it to, with the right sides of the fabric facing each other. Line up the raw edge of the ruffle with the raw edge of your project piece. Pin them together every inch or so, making sure the gathers stay even as you pin.

Set your machine back to a normal stitch length (around 2.5) and sew along the edge where the ruffle meets your project piece. Sew slowly so you can keep the gathers from bunching up under the presser foot. Once you reach the end, backstitch to lock the stitches. Remove the gathering threads by gently pulling them out from the back side of the ruffle.

Press and finish the seam

Press the seam flat with an iron, pressing the ruffle away from the main piece. If you want a more finished look, you can trim the seam allowance to 1/4 inch and then finish the raw edge with a zigzag stitch or pinking shears. This keeps the edge from fraying, especially if you wash the finished piece.

If the ruffle is on the edge of a garment or home item that will be washed, consider using thread that matches your fabric so any loose threads are less visible. Ruffles take a lot of movement in the wash, so a find seam matters more than perfect appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my gathering threads break while I am pulling?

Stop pulling and tie the broken thread ends together in a knot. You can continue pulling from the other end of the strip, or start over with fresh gathering stitches. Breaking threads usually means you pulled too fast or used thread that was too delicate. Slow down and use regular all-purpose thread next time.

Can I make a ruffle without leaving thread tails?

No—the thread tails are what you pull to gather the fabric. If you backstitch at the beginning and end, the thread gets locked in and you cannot pull it. Always leave at least 3 inches loose on both ends of each gathering line.

How wide should my ruffle strip be?

That is up to you and the look you want. A 1-inch ruffle is delicate and works well on lightweight fabrics or children's clothes. A 2 to 3-inch ruffle is fuller and more dramatic. Wider ruffles need more fabric to gather, so plan for a strip that is even longer than twice the finished length.

What stitch length should I use for the gathering lines?

Use the longest stitch length your machine offers—usually 5 or 6. Longer stitches are easier to pull without breaking the thread. If you use a normal stitch length, the thread will be harder to grip and more likely to snap.

Do I have to sew two gathering lines, or can I use one?

Two lines gather more evenly and give you better control. One line will work, but the ruffle may bunch unevenly or pull at an angle. Two lines take only a few extra minutes and give you a much better result.