Starting & Ruffles

Before you begin any sewing project, you'll need to gather the right tools. Start with good-quality fabrics, scissors, straight pins (make sure they're sharp), a tape measure, and a long ruler, an iron and ironing board, and of course, your sewing machine (keep a stock of new needles on hand). You'll also need a zipper foot for your machine.

Assemble your fabrics, threads, trims, buttons, other accents, and pillow forms at this time, too. Try to find a large, flat surface -- a table, kitchen peninsula, or even a hard-surfaced floor -- on which to measure and cut fabrics.

 

To make homespun ruffles for your project, start with a strip of fabric twice the circumference or perimeter of your pillow. Finish on edge. Machine-baste 3/8-inch from the raw edge. Sew another line 1/4 inch from the first basting line.

1. Pull threads of both basting lines to create gathers, pulling evenly along the fabric length.

 

2. With right sides together and the raw edges aligned, pin the ruffle to the fabric.

 

3. Even out gathers along the length of the ruffle; pin and sew in place. Now you're ready to finish the project as directed.