How to Make a Hair Rat: The Modern Way!

I was asked a few weeks ago how to create this hairstyle with shoulder length hair: Post on how to create this lookΒ HERE

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Now women in the 19th century would use hair rats, which are little rolls of their hair that either fell out or was brushed out. Β Of course going that route is still an option, but I did a little research and found a great way to create a hair rat for your 19th century hairstyles the 21st century way! Β All you need is a sock bun and a pair of scissors!

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Make Mine Piped!

Piping is a fantastic way to add a little extra flair to your historical gowns, as well as added durability. Β It is very easy to make your own. Β All you will need is bias tape, cording, pins, and a zipper foot for your machine.

Step 1: Β Assemble all the needed materials.

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Step 2: Β Pin the cording into the bias tape by foldingΒ the tape in half and pinning right next to the cording.

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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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