Ruffle your ribbon

With the help of a basic sewing machine, you can ruffle up your ribbon and really add a lot of character to your projects.  I did 2 cards in this post (only 1 is shown due to the other being accepted for publication), showing you 2 different looks of ribbon ruffling, but of course, there are numerous types of things you can use ruffled ribbon on, like gift boxes, tags, and scrap pages.

I cannot take any credit for this "idea".  I think it is an idea that has been around for ages in the clothing industry, and only recently I recall actually reading a post on SCS where someone mentions "ruffling their ribbon", though I cannot remember the how or who.  I have not personally seen a tutorial on this anywhere, but that does not mean it's not out there already.  It's a relatively simple idea and I hope I have given you enough pictures and explanation so that you can go out there and ruffle your own ribbon!  (This is not a sewing tutorial, only how to use sewing machine to ruffle your ribbon.  You must first have experience with a basic sewing machine or have followed a sewing tutorial, like this one by Julie HERE.)

My 2 examples are using 5/8" grosgrain ribbon and 5/8" one-sided satin.  Aren't these pretty?  And the ruffles add SO much than just plain flat ribbon, they create a very feminine appeal.  Here we go...

NOTE: FOR THE FIRST 4 STEPS, I HAVE SHOWN PICTURES OF BOTH THE SATIN AND THE GROSGRAIN RIBBON IN EACH STEP.  THE SATIN EXAMPLE WILL ALWAYS BE THE TOP PICTURE.

STEP 1: 

Measure the length of your project where your ribbon will be stretching across, add 2" (for securing behind a panel layer) and then double that and round either up or down to the nearest inch.  If you end up with a measurement ending in 3/4, round up, if you end up with 1/2 or smaller, round down.  That's how long to cut your ribbon. 

For example: one of my cards is a 4.25" square and the ribbon is going across the full length.  So I took 4.25", added 2" to get 6.25", and doubled that number to get 12.5", and I rounded down to 12". 

This was plenty of ribbon to create ruffles and still have enough to secure underneath the panel layer.  I even had to trim about 1/2" off when I was done, so rounding down didn't make it too short.

STEP 2 (below): 

Make sure your sewing machine is threaded, adjusted for tension on both your bobbin and needle, and ready to sew.  Use at least a #3 length stitch.  Place your ribbon under the foot (in the middle of the ribbon for a more flowing ruffle, or to the side close to the edge for a full width ruffle), leaving about 1/4" sticking out behind the foot.  Now lower the foot.

 

 

STEP 3 (below):  Lower the needle manually until it penetrates into the ribbon, and then begin sewing slowly, guiding your ribbon using your finger loosely holding the ribbon in front of the foot, until the entire length has been stitched.  For a double edge ruffle, you will need to repeat this step for the other edge/side of the ribbon.

This is what the ribbons look like after stitching (below).

STEP 4 (below):  Holding one end of your stitched ribbon, separate the top from the bottom threads.  Firmly hold between your fingers the ribbon and the top thread, while GENTLY and SLOWLY pulling the bottom thread with your other hand. 

 

(below) Once you feel the resistance in the thread, let go of the bottom thread and pull your ruffles you just made into the middle of the ribbon, by sliding them in between your fingers toward the middle.  Repeat this step until about half the ribbon is ruffled, and then repeat this step several more times on the other end of the ribbon, until the entire piece is ruffled.  Don't worry about the ribbon twisting around at this point, you will fix that in the next 2 steps.

 

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:  Do not attempt to make all your ruffles with one pull of thread.  You will end up breaking the thread before the ruffles are made and you will have to start over.  No need to ask me how I know.

STEP 5 (below):  Secure one end of your completely ruffled ribbon with heavy duty scotch tape to the back of your prepared panel.  Gently pull, but not too hard, the ribbon across your panel and secure behind the other side.  Make sure it is tight enough that it will not wobble, but not too tight.

 

STEP 6 (below):  Using the tips of your fingers, gently tug and move the ruffles around, even trying to flatten them a bit, until you have the look you want.

STEP 7 (below):  The previous step will tend to make the ruffled ribbon appear a little more loose than before, but that's OK.  You are going to cut a short length of red-backed 1/8" sticky strip and put that under desired areas of your ribbon.  Using a bone folder, lightly press some of the folds of the ruffles into the sticky strip.  This keeps your pretty ruffled ribbon in place on your project, and keeps your ruffles ruffled.

Here are close up's of the ribbon on each finished card.

 

CARD RECIPE:

Joy Tall Vase Card:

• STAMPS: Designer Garden by CDstamps
• CS: K&Co Teal floral paper, close to cocoa, baja breeze, white
• INK: Baja breeze, creamy caramel, close to cocoa, sahara sand marker (for table for vase to sit)
• ACCESS: self adhesive gem pearls, circle punches, sewing machine, 5/8" chocolate satin, dimensionals, sticky strip

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you were a little inspired to ruffle your ribbon!
~Laurie Wilson

Comments

[Shirley Ross]

Great tutorial on the ribbon, Laurie. TFS and your cards are just wonderful too!

[Stacy Twinshappy SCS]

awesome tutorial, and I like the look of the ribbon. Very cool Laurie!

[Katie]

Love that look Laurie! I have a blog award for you on mine. Its yours whenever you have a chance.

[Kathleen]

Laurie~WOW! What a great tutorial! I'm a bit sewing challenged myself, but maybe one day I'll put that monster out and try it! I found your blog on Cammie's blogroll. I'm so glad I did! You have some lovely work here! Keep posting!

[Nancy Grant]

That's really cool!
:-)

[Laurie]

Oh my gosh, what a great idea. Thanks for the great instructions. I can't wait to try it!

I found you from Cammie's blog. She has a great blog candy contest over there. I am glad I found your blog. I think I will look around some more!

Thanks again for sharing!!

[Julia Stainton]

Beautiful projects and great tutorial!Thanks so much for sharing and for linking my blog!

[Monique]

I love it Laurie ... what a great way to jazz up the ribbon! Thanks for the inspiration.