How to make a pleated skirt ruffle..

So I am working on a new outfit which requires a lot of pressed ruffles. Β I thought that I would show you how I made the ruffles that are attached to the skirt. Β May I recommend a good movie to help with the monotony.

So however many yards of fabric you want your skirt to be, you will need that many for the ruffles. Β I had 5 yards for the skirt, thus 5 for the ruffles.

Start by cutting the ruffle yardage in half. Β You will end up with four very long pieces.

Then fold each strip in half and hem.

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Then take the strips and press them so the seam is in the middle. Β The side with the seam will be your wrong side and the non-seamed side will be the right side.

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Attach all the strips together so you have one long strip.

Begin pressing the pleats. Β You can make them as wide as you would like. Β Don’t worry about the pleats falling apart as you press. Β The “crimps” you make with the iron will hold until you sew the pleats together.

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Then stitch the pleats on the right side. Β You can place the seam anywhere you want. Β I put mine around an inch from the top.

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Then attach the ruffle to your hemmed skirt. Β Again, place the ruffle anywhere you want. Β I have my ruffle extending 2 inches from the hem of the skirt.

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Stich away.

I also am using a lot of black velvet ribbon for trim so I attached the trim to the ruffle and stitched over the original stitching line so it won’t be seen.

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This is how it will look after the ruffle and trim is attached.

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Make your skirt as usual, press and voila…a beautiful pleated skirt!

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When you wish you could do a retake….

I am not all that photogenic. Β Sometimes I looked crazed or like I only have one eye. Β So I am sympathetic to those who may not look their usual self in pictures. Β Well, I came across this picture of a young girl, well dressed….but looking rather surprised. Β Now often photos of this time period feature people who look a little “wide-eyed”Β , however I found this girl’s expressionΒ to be unusual. Β Sort of an innocent “deer in the headlights” look. Β I kinda chuckled and began to wonder about her back story. Β What was she looking at in the studio?

I wonder if she groaned when she picked up her picture from the photographer?…I do like her dress.

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From the Archives: 1862 Floral Summer Gown

While organizing my gowns, I came across this little lovely and decided to take it’s picture.

I made it out of fabric I purchased on one of my visits to Gettysburg. Β The cotton is soooo unbelievable soft!!

Enjoy! Β 

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I put it up for sale if you are interested!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/130808802/civil-war-yellow-floral-gown?ref=shop_home_active_6