Ruching (sp?) Tutorial *added to downloads*

[Dawn]

Okay, you asked for it...here it is! Now please keep in mind this is just my technique, I have no idea how you are "really" supposed to do it, but this clearly works!

http://peachpics.smugmug.co m/photos/274693821_s55YA-M.jpg

Step 1 - Decide where you want to add your ruching. For this tutorial I am using hem tape which works wonderful and this was a really great match to my fabric, but of course you could make your own for a perfect match.

http://peachpics.smugmug.co m/photos/274694004_GKaWs-M.jpg

Step 2 - Pin your hem tape on to your garment. I have done it both on the front and back of the garment but it all depends on the look you want, but the technique is the same. On this on I am putting it on the back. Fold under the bottom edge for a more finished look.

http://peachpics.smugmug.co m/photos/274694311_oowpm-M.jpg

Step 3 - finish pinning everything in place and be sure everything is straight and all wrinkles are smoothed out.

http://peachpics.smugmug.co m/photos/274694329_bHqYh-M.jpg

Step 4 - Sew a straight stitch down both sides of the tape, staying close to the edge and then another row directly down the middle. Be sure to leave both ends open. Now you have two channels.

http://peachpics.smugmug.co m/photos/274694364_nSPWv-M.jpg

Step 5 - Sew all your tapes in place, tie off ends and clip stray threads.

http://peachpics.smugmug.co m/photos/274694547_4E5TX-M.jpg

Step 6 - Now you simply thread a ribbon up one side and down the other. Be sure that the tails of your ribbon hang out from the bottom and that you have plenty left over for tying a pretty bow. I use a good old safety pin for this but I know there are many new and clever gadgets out there for doing the same thing.

http://peachpics.smugmug.co m/photos/274694578_EVkMk-M.jpg

This is what it should look like.

http://peachpics.smugmug.co m/photos/274694599_XPXzK-M.jpg

Here all three of mine are complete and ready for "Ruching"

http://peachpics.smugmug.co m/photos/274694576_M9QCG-M.jpg

Step 7 - Now simply gather the garment by sliding it up the ribbons and then tie it off on the bottom with a bow. The great thing about this technique is it's totally adjustable. You can make it "very ruchy" or just a little bit. It just depends on your preference.

http://peachpics.smugmug.co m/photos/274699048_Jy3QV-M.jpg

Here is the end result. This is just the beginning of a skirt for Miss Abby. I will post the final product in a little bit.

I hope this helps! If you have any questions please feel free to PM me.

[Isabel]

theclapThank you :)

[patpourri]

That is one GREAT tut! You explained everything in perfect detail. Thank you.

[Citygirl]

Wow, who knew? I always thought it was an advanced seamstress technique; thanks for clueing (sp?) all of us in.

[tavsmummy]

What a great tute. I will definetly be trying that ... ONE day. :)

[Krista]

Great job Dawn

[sabrinat]

Great job...and you made it look so easy!

[MamaXs3]

Thank You! I think this looks really cute!

[skalafut]

Thanks, Dawn, I like your tutorial bettern than the one I found on the web last night. Can't wait to try it on some of my new fabric!

[cinnamama]

Awesome!!!!

[cinnamama]

Question- does the hem tape fray? I haven't used it.

[Dawn]

No, I have not had a problem with the tape fraying.

[plainjanesews]

Thanks you so much! I have been wanting to try this. This looks like so much fun.

[maplekitty]

thank you so much!! I imagine we'll be seeing many ruched creations on the runway now! ;)

[noboty]

Great tutorial!

[JahDaughta]

Oh my gosh THANK YOU!!!!! I've had 2 UFO's for over a year because i couldn't figure out the instructions. I feel like a total dummy now That I see how easy it is!

[2diamonds&a~gem]

ohhh thanks so very much! I needed that.

you made it look so easy too

[brevans02]

Oooh, very neat! Is that the same technique you'd use to make a drawstring-side-type skirt? I like! :)

[tmlmom]

Very cool, I love learning how to do new things!

[SewMeSane]

Thank you Thank you. . .my daughter saw a pic of a dress with this technique done and loved it. . .have been looking for the "how to". .. Thanks!

[rjalmom]

Awesome! Thanks for the tute! THis would look great with a double layer skirt.

[Ang]

That's how I've done it before. I also have used elastic, instead of ribbon.

[verycraftymama]

GREAT Tute!!

Thank you

[tmhaire]

that is a great tutorial...I have been wondering how to accomplish that look. thank you so much!

[jennifer.1203]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! I've wanted to know how to do this for so long! Can't wait to try it out!

[Sally19805]

Your tying the bow at the hem? Just trying to get a vision. If you didn't want the bow, you could always hem the skirt at the end, pull your ribbon up to rouch, and then sew on the waist band. I've also seen this done with elastic. But great way to work this. I like the bias tape idea.


Okay, you asked for it...here it is! Now please keep in mind this is just my technique, I have no idea how you are "really" supposed to do it, but this clearly works!

http://peachpics.smugmug.co m/photos/274693821_s55YA-M.jpg

Step 1 - Decide where you want to add your ruching. For this tutorial I am using hem tape which works wonderful and this was a really great match to my fabric, but of course you could make your own for a perfect match.

http://peachpics.smugmug.co m/photos/274694004_GKaWs-M.jpg

Step 2 - Pin your hem tape on to your garment. I have done it both on the front and back of the garment but it all depends on the look you want, but the technique is the same. On this on I am putting it on the back. Fold under the bottom edge for a more finished look.

http://peachpics.smugmug.co m/photos/274694311_oowpm-M.jpg

Step 3 - finish pinning everything in place and be sure everything is straight and all wrinkles are smoothed out.

http://peachpics.smugmug.co m/photos/274694329_bHqYh-M.jpg

Step 4 - Sew a straight stitch down both sides of the tape, staying close to the edge and then another row directly down the middle. Be sure to leave both ends open. Now you have two channels.

http://peachpics.smugmug.co m/photos/274694364_nSPWv-M.jpg

Step 5 - Sew all your tapes in place, tie off ends and clip stray threads.

http://peachpics.smugmug.co m/photos/274694547_4E5TX-M.jpg

Step 6 - Now you simply thread a ribbon up one side and down the other. Be sure that the tails of your ribbon hang out from the bottom and that you have plenty left over for tying a pretty bow. I use a good old safety pin for this but I know there are many new and clever gadgets out there for doing the same thing.

http://peachpics.smugmug.co m/photos/274694578_EVkMk-M.jpg

This is what it should look like.

http://peachpics.smugmug.co m/photos/274694599_XPXzK-M.jpg

Here all three of mine are complete and ready for "Ruching"

http://peachpics.smugmug.co m/photos/274694576_M9QCG-M.jpg

Step 7 - Now simply gather the garment by sliding it up the ribbons and then tie it off on the bottom with a bow. The great thing about this technique is it's totally adjustable. You can make it "very ruchy" or just a little bit. It just depends on your preference.

http://peachpics.smugmug.co m/photos/274699048_Jy3QV-M.jpg

Here is the end result. This is just the beginning of a skirt for Miss Abby. I will post the final product in a little bit.

I hope this helps! If you have any questions please feel free to PM me.