How to Make Tulle Ruffles

Tulle is a traditional decoration for weddings, but it is suitable for many occasions. Add rows of tiny tulle ruffles to a satin pillow for the ultimate feminine accessory for your bed. Add a tulle ruffle to the bottom of a slip; you decide whether to let it peek out below your hemline or not. Create a heavenly effect by winding tulle ruffles around your Christmas tree.

Cut three strips of tulle as wide and twice as long as you want your ruffles to be.

Stack the strips on top of each other with all edges even. Pin the strips together along both long edges.

Use a fade-away fabric marker to mark a line along the center of the length of the strip. Fade-away fabric markers are available at fabric stores. The marks they make fade away on their own in a few hours or days.

Sew a row of gating stitches along the line you just drew. Either sew by hand with 1/4-inch running stitches or sew two rows of machine basting stitches.

Pull up the gathering threads until the strip is half its original length. Knot the gathering threads on each end and adjust the gathers evenly. Use it as is for a decoration or attach it to a garment by sewing along the center seam.

Cut two strips of tulle twice as long and twice as wide as you want the ruffle to be.

Stack the strips and gather the ruffle as described in the previous section, in steps 2 to 5.

Fold the ruffle in half, along the seam in the center. Sew 1/4 inch from the folded edge to hold the ruffle together. Use as is or attach it to your item by sewing along the seam at the top.