Tattered Petals and Pettiskirts by Handmaidens Cottage

Ruffles, ruffles and more ruffles, this adorable dress by Handmaidens Cottage is too cute not to make. Nacole shows us her version on the blog today!

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The Patricia Top and Dress by Simple Life Pattern Company

The Patricia Top and Dress by Simple Life Pattern Company

Today we feature the Patricia from Simple Life Pattern Company. Ellen makes the Patrica in both dress and top form with a surprising twist!

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Sunny Side by Duchess and Hare

Sunny Side by Duchess and Hare

Today Shea and Nicole are showing us their versions of the Sunny Side top by Duchess and Hare. With just enough ruffle and drape, this top is sure to be a favorite of both girls and tweens alike.

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The Camille Top and Roller Coaster Swooping Ruffle Pants by FooFoo Threads

The Camille Top and Roller Coaster Swooping Ruffle Pants by FooFoo Threads

Today Katherine sewed the Camille Top and Roller Coaster Ruffle Pants by FooFoo Threads.  These patterns include lots of adorable ruffles but are still perfect for everyday wear.  

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Maximize May: The Southport Dress by True Bias and the Midsummer Dream Dress by Striped Swallow Designs

Maximize May: The Southport Dress by True Bias and the Midsummer Dream Dress by Striped Swallow Designs

We are still Maximizing May with Mac and Katy's versions of two amazing maxi dresses.  Mac sewed the Southport Dress by True Bias and Katy sewed the women's and girl's Midsummer Dream Dress by Striped Swallow Designs.  

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Sunny Dress and Top, Sew Very Tour

Sunny Dress and Top, Sew Very Tour

We're excited to be a part of the Sew Very Blog Tour for the Sunny Dress and Top.  Join in all the fun all over blog land by checking in at the stops below.  You will find so much inspiration for making your very own Sunny Dress and Top.

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Join the Ruffle Revolution!



I'm sure you've probably heard of the famous Evelyn Griffin of Lil' Liza Lou.

What??? You haven't???

Well then, you must not be a member of the incredible Facebook Group PDF  Pattern Sales And Promotions. I think each of our 4,029 members knows her by name, and some even consider her to be our patron saint. One day, not long ago, Evelyn Griffin was experimenting on her serger. Like many seamstresses, she had been struggling to gather miles of ruffles for her beautiful handmade creations, and it struck her, "There must be an easier way!!!" I think we've all heard rumblings here and there about gathering on a serger, but I know, for me, change is scary. So, whether it is out of fear or laziness or both, I keep on doing the same old same old-- gathering my ruffles by hand with upholstery thread. No more! Evelyn's original post to the group about gathering on her serger now has 529 comments and she has changed the lives of many seamstresses already--I will be next on the list. I promise to get out of my old school, boring but oh-so-comfortable box and try this time saving technique, and I hope you will too! 

Here's a tutorial Evelyn has put together for gathering on a Janome Juno 3434D. She also is including settings for some other popular models at the bottom of the post. If you are already a pro at this, and your model is not listed, please share your model and settings in the comment section for others.

Oh, did I mention...she even made us a video?


Evelyn Griffin:

I have had my Janome Juno Serger, now, for almost 2 years. I love using it for rolled hems, and, for that reason alone it is invaluable. Today, I learned something new with it. I learned how to gather ruffles with it. (Insert Ohs and Ahs). Gathering ruffles is a VERY time consuming process. My previous method entailed first hand gathering the ruffles, which were never even, and I spent HOURS trying to get them evenly distributed, and then, sometimes the gathering threads would pull back through the stitches which means you have to redo the whole thing... Never EVER again. I changed all my serger settings, and it turned out PERFECT. Here are my 25 Minute (including cutting) Ruffle Pants. (Pattern Info HERE). 


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Here's a little basic how to

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Turn top screw 3 times counter clockwise

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Needles Tension to 9, Loopers tension to 4

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Disengage knife and set to serge

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Differential and Stitch length to highest settings


Perfect 1:2 ratio.

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Doesn't that look nice? :)

Watch Evelyn's video....


Settings for other popular models:
Brother 1034D Settings- 
3:1 Ratio-
Dif Feed: 2
Length: 5
Width: 4
Needles: (from left to right)
7, 7, 4, 4

2:1 Ratio-
Dif Feed: 2
Length: 5
Width: 4
Needles: (from left to right)
5, 5, 4, 4

PAFF
Tensions- 7,7,4,4

Babylock Imagine- Set Stitch Length Dial to 4, and Differential Feed to 2, and B. 

I hope you find the courage to try this! Every machine can be a little different, so don't get discouraged if it doesn't work on your first try. Just get a pile of scraps and keep experimenting! There are tons of Youtube videos on the subject, and you can always Google your make and model + ruffling to find your solution. 

Join the Ruffle Revolution!

Once you've mastered it, you're going to need some extra ruffly patterns, so go try one of  these:
Lily Bird Studio-Purchase HERE


Tie Dye Diva- Purchase HERE

Jocole- Purchase HERE

Ellie Inspired- Purchase HERE


Post your success stories in the comments or join PDF Pattern Sales and Promotions to become a part of and incredible sewing community!


Happy Ruffling!