Today’s guest is a serious ruffle lover…Stef from Girl. Inspired. Just a glance at her blog reveals her affinity for ruffles! Her finale project for Project Run and Play even includes a ruffle tent! I know!! She also shares gorgeous recipes and great party ideas. Girl. Inspired. is totally girly and feminine, I love it!
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I’m so thrilled to be a part of Kate’s series on RUFFLES!! I think ruffles are my favorite sewing “accessory.” As far as I’m concerned, ruffles just make everything better. For today’s project, I wanted to dress up a store bought tank for my daughter to coordinate with the skirt that I made her for Easter.
Adding a ruffle to the neckline of a shirt and finishing it off with matching bias tape is a quick solution with beautiful results. You can finish this project in less than 30 minutes and just a bit of fabric. So grab a tank and let’s get started! Step 1: Cut a strip of fabric approximately 4″ wide and twice the length of the neckline (or the portion of the neckline you want to accent.)
Press each short end under and press the entire strip in half, lengthwise.
Now, ruffle the folded strip of fabric using your preferred method; I LOVE my ruffler foot on my sewing machine and use it for nearly all of my ruffling needs. I also like to press the strip once it is ruffled. This gets everything laying down nicely and gives the ruffle a nice crisp look.
Next, match the raw edges of the ruffled strip with the neckline edge of the tank and pin in place. I added my ruffle from the top of one shoulder, around the front, to the other shoulder. Using a 1/4″ seam allowance, stitch the ruffle onto the neckline.
Next, cut a strip of your fabric on the bias to use for bias tape (or use pre-made bias tape). I cut my strip 1 1/2″ wide by (the length of the ruffled neckline + 1/2″ for turning the edge under on each end.) Press each end under 1/4″ and turn up one edge of the length by 1/4″ and press. This will be the edge that is turned under on the back of the neckline.
Pin the raw edge of the binding along the neckline.
Stitch in place, being careful that you are stitching below the your stitchline on the ruffled piece (you want to completely cover your stitching).
Finally, fold the binding over the lip of the neckline and hand stitch the binding into place on the back side of the tank.
And, you’re done!
Thanks so much for having me over to join in the ruffle fun, Kate!! I’m so excited to see what everyone creates this month!
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Thanks Stef!! I want one for myself! Also check out Girl. Inspired.’s shabby knot ruffle dress, ruffle pants, wavy edge ruffle tutorial and cute etsy shop! You can also follow along on facebook.
That is adorable! It is an easy thing to do but it adds so much to the outfit! Love it!
Very sweet! As far the ruffling foot goes, what do you set the screw on it at? Those ruffles look perfect!
Kat – I play around with the screw a little bit. I think I probably had it at about a 2 for this project. Thanks!
Very cute and perfectly done, as always.
liZ
I Love it!!!
So quick and easy, I love it!! It looks nice and polished with the bias tape :)
-Ashley
http://distractedashley.blogspot.com
OMG that is sooooo cute!!! I want a reason to make that! Thanx for sharing!
Natalie
http://www.projectdowhatyoulove.wordpress.com
Thanks, everyone, and thanks again, Kate, for letting me in on the ruffle fun!!
SO pretty, Stef! I need to get me a ruffle foot. :)
This is so adorable! A great fix for a plain tank!! I agree with Kate I want one for myself! Maybe matching mother daughter tanks :)
-Mj
Om my gosh! How sweet is that!!!
So sweet Steff! Love it =)
OOOOOHHHHH Please give us directionsonmaking that STUNNING skirt! Absolutely marvelous!
I love that Skirt!