Tip:  If you’ve never made a ribbon ruffle and bought just about enough ribbon for this project, we recommend you practice on some scrap ribbon first until you get the desired results.

Ribbon

 We recommend the following widths:

For ribbon widths of 5/8” or less, use 1/16" elastic.

For ribbon widths of 5/8” to 1” wide, use 1/8” elastic.

For ribbon widths of 1” or more, use ¼” elastic.

 These elastic widths are recommended to make sure the elastic is hidden when the shoe is worn.

The length of ribbon depends on what you want to do. We recommend cutting it three times the length of the widest part of your sole pattern. This will give you a nice, finished ribbon ruffle to play with for different designs until you know exactly what you are going to do to achieve that look. 

Measure widest part of sole pattern

Times 3

A nice length to play.

Tip:  If you are not testing on scrap ribbon, we recommend cutting just one ribbon three times the width until you know for sure what length you are wanting.

Treat both ends of ribbon with either Fray Check or clear finger nail polish to keep from fraying. Let dry.

Fold ribbon over twice in ¼ folds. If not using wired edge ribbon, you’ll need to iron the ribbon folds flat.

Slide elastic up through center, under fold. 

Fold ribbon over twice in ¼" folds. If not using wired edge ribbon, you’ll need to iron the ribbon folds flat.

Tack elastic to ribbon:  Set your machine to a narrow zig-zag stitch. We recommend increasing the length of the stitch, especially if sewing on smaller ribbon. This will help keep the sewing more controlled.

Place ribbon under foot with elastic stuck up inside fold. Make sure your sewing needle is placed dead center of ribbon. If you’re using single-faced ribbon (matte finish on one side) make sure the wrong (matte) side is facing up and is what you’re sewing the elastic on.

Start tacking elastic where folded part of ribbon meets elastic, catching a bit of the folded ribbon so it doesn’t unfold.

Tack elastic by going back (reverse) and forth with a zig-zag stitch several times.

 Sew a few more zig-zag stitches on top of tacking and then lift up foot and move ribbon just beyond bump.

Sew elastic on ribbon to make ruffle:  With left hand, pull on the threads from tacking while simultaneously pulling on elastic to be sewn hard with right hand. Make sure you keep the elastic in center of ribbon.

Note:  The ribbon will twist and flip when making ruffle. Don’t worry about this, it will be alleviated when shoe is being worn. 

Sew until you‘re about  1/2" from bottom of ribbon. Tack elastic securely.

Cut elastic just below tacking.

Fold under a couple of times and make small tack to catch ribbon fold.

Begin experimenting by first trying the shoe on.  Once you know where you want the ruffled ribbon placed, pin carefully making sure to stretch the ribbon to get a snug and comfortable fit.  After removing shoe, hand-stitch ribbon in place.

Cut other ribbons making sure to treat both ends of each ribbon as previously to prevent fraying. 

Repeat procedure for other ribbon(s) and shoe.     

Mark with pins on the shoe where you want the ribbon(s) placed and on the ribbon where it needs to be cut.  Keep in mind before cutting, you'll need to leave enough room on the end to fold edge under a couple of times.

Cut ribbon the correct length allowing for fold allowance. 

You may use this finished ribbon ruffle as a guide for your other ribbon(s) by stretching it out as far as possible and adding the fold allowance. 

Cut other ribbons making sure to treat both ends of each ribbon as previously to prevent fraying.  

Repeat procedure for other ribbon(s) and shoe. 

Recommended width of ribbon is at least 5/8"

Fold over 1/4".

If not using wired edge ribbon, you’ll need to iron the ribbon folds flat.

Fold over another 1/4".

Stick elastic up inside fold where you want the first ruffle.  Keeping elastic at least an 1/8 away from edge.  Pin.  Place ribbon under foot. 

Tack elastics to ribbon:  Set your machine to a the zig-zag stitch appropriate for the width of your elastic.  Increasing the length of your stitch. 

Start tacking elastic where folded part of ribbon meets elastic, catching a bit of the folded ribbon so it doesn’t unfold.

If you’re using single-faced ribbon (matte finish on one side) make sure the wrong (matte) side is facing up and is what you’re sewing the elastics on.

 Lift up foot to move ribbon just beyond bump.

Sew zig zag stitch attaching elastic onto ribbon-  With one hand, pull on the threads from behind the foot while simultaneously pulling on the elastic to be sewn hard with the other hand. Start to sew a zig-zag stitch down middle.

Note:  The ribbon will twist and flip when making ruffle. Don’t worry about this, it will be alleviated when shoe is being worn. 

Sew until you‘re about a 1/2" inch from bottom of ribbon. Tack elastic securely.

Cut elastic just below tacking.

Repeat for second ruffle. 

While sewing on second elastic, pull ribbon so it is flat and not ruffled.

Tack when you reach an 1/2" from ribbon end next to other elastic.

Fold over two quarter inch folds.  Tack catching a bit of the folded ribbon so it doesn’t unfold.

Now you can experiment where you want to place the ribbons:

Secured within throat of shoe.

Wrapped around shoe.  

Placed around the ankle

Begin experimenting by first trying the shoe on the person.  Once you know where you want the ruffled ribbon placed, pin carefully making sure to stretch the ribbon to get a snug and comfortable fit.  After removing shoe, hand-stitch ribbon in place.

Cut the remaining ribbon(s) the same length for other shoe. 

Make other ruffled ribbon(s). 

If Ribbon Is Too Big

Mark with pins on the shoe where you want the ribbon(s) placed and where the ribbon(s) need to be cut.  Keep in mind before cutting, you'll need to leave enough room on the end to fold edge under a couple of times.

Cut ribbon the correct length allowing for fold allowance.  You can stretch out the ribbon as far as possible and use this as a guide for cutting your other ribbons.

Cut your other ribbons making sure to treat both ends of each ribbon like before to avoid fraying.   

Make other ruffled ribbon(s). 

Copyright 2007 by Renee Boley

All Rights Reserved.