I've been making a Victorian Gown. That means lots of ruffley goodness. I have about 150 meters of ribbon I'm using on this project most of which I've been pleating using my sewing machines ruffler foot.
Carefully guiding that much yardage through would drive me insane!
I needed a way to make it easy and fast without needing a lot of concentration.
I needed to automate guiding that ribbon through.
It's so easy and simple and effective I can't believe I didn't think of this earlier.
All I needed was one scrap piece of cardboard cut to size and some stickytape.
I cut a strip of cardboard and bent the ends to fit around the ribbon. Positioned the ribbon where I wanted it to feed through and stuck the cardboard down with tape.
Then I folded the cardboard ends over and taped them down too. Not too tightly just enough to allow the ribbon to slide through easily but low enough that the ruffler won't hit the cardboard during ruffling.
I tried to take a photo I hope you get the idea.
And that's it! My ruffling life has changed forever. I now have hands free Ruffling. I did a bit of unpicking whilst I ruffled a mountain of ribbons. It does help to keep an eye on the ribbon and make sure it feeds in flat.
Have you used a ruffler foot before? What did you make?
I didn't know there was such a footer! My mum taught me to baste the fabric and then pull the thread before putting it all under the machine. The downside was it took a lot longer and it was difficult to keep everything even.
ReplyDeleteI've done it your mum's way most of my life too. The foot is a fairly new addition to my sewing machine and I must say I'm loving it. I would never have done all this pleating otherwise. I've used it for good old fashioned ruffles too.
DeleteThis is really a great idea! I've never used ruffles but I will certainly try for costumes, with your hands free sistem! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBet of luck with trimming those costumes!
DeleteWow - that looks great! I have done a lot of sewing..... and I have made lots of ruffles, but I have never used a ruffler foot. Thank you for the information. :)
ReplyDeleteIt certainly speeds things up when you need tens of meters of ruffley trims!
DeleteThe piece of cardboard is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteI can't image how much faster the sewing job is going to move along by having an extra hand that is actually a piece of cardboard, lol.
It was a case of 'necessity is the mother of invention'!
DeleteThis looks incredible! Pinned and tweeted. We are so thrilled to have you at our party. Please stop by on Monday at 7, so we can see your amazing projects. Lou Lou Girls
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim! You're the best :0)
DeleteThis looks like a time saver! Thanks for sharing on Monday Madness Link Party :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a time and a sanity saver :o)
DeleteThank you for sharing your post with us at Totally Terrific Tuesday Link Party. If you haven't linked up this week, be sure to stop by. The party is still going on! Enjoy the rest of your week!
ReplyDeleteChristie ~ Sparkles of Sunshine
Thanks for dropping by and for the great party!
DeleteI don't have one of these feet, but it looks fun! Maybe not so much fun doing so much at once. You are so clever. :)
ReplyDeleteStella, you are a genius! My Granny had a ruffler foot on her treadle sewing machine. I've never had one, and pulling the thread never worked well for me, so I hand do the ruffles. SO.MUCH.WORK!!
ReplyDeleteOne big reason I no longer sew dresses!!
Using Firefox.
I have done ruffles by hand many times. They are much more fun with the ruffler foot!
Delete