Controlling Ruffles

4/9/2015

I'm still working on two little spring dresses for my two little Kaye Wiggs girls. Even though I'm using regular cotton, the ruffles tend to really flare out at this small size, and the embroidered edges are making it even worse. I like my dolls to look like 'real children' in photos, at least as much as is possible, and there's no way a dress like the one on the left is going to scream anything but "I'm a DOLLY dress"! But there is a way to fix it. Whenever I make something that just sticks out way too much, the way I control it is by wetting the garment - in this case the bottom of the skirt - squeezing it into the shape I want it to be, and letting it dry on one of my heating ducts....

Look at the difference. Both skirts were made from the exact same width of fabric, with the exact same width of ruffle. Of course, the one on the right now has an impression of one of the wires from my drying rack across the bottom, but it's not on the front where it counts, and it will go away with time.

7 Comments

Saraquill

4/9/2015 09:41:50 am

Interesting. I subdue my ruffles by other means, such as pleats that I iron flat, or via whipped gathers.

Martha

4/9/2015 10:33:23 pm

I use those techniques too for dealing with skirts made with large widths of fabric, but wetting the garment is what I find controls the bottom of the skirt without the harshness of pressing. I also wet clothing like cloaks and shawls and let them dry on the doll so they dry draped in scale.

Donna

4/9/2015 10:05:10 am

That's a good idea. You're going to need to start a "Sewing Tips" folder to go along with the Photography Tips!

Kendra link

4/10/2015 05:21:34 am

I'd second the idea! :-)

Sue link

4/10/2015 02:06:58 am

oooh I never thought of that! Thank you. Because I'm working so small most of the time nearly all my dolls clothes come out looking 'dolly'

Going to try this!

Martha

4/10/2015 05:24:12 am

I used to do it all the time with our OOAK art dolls. It was the best way to make fabric drape in scale, so I'd end up with 'prune fingers' sewing wet costume pieces into place.

Jane

4/11/2015 08:21:14 pm

Great idea......I will remember that. Thank you.

Controlling Ruffles

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