What is Ruching?
Ruching
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Ruching (rooshing) is a French term that means gathering,
ruffling or pleating. Ruched flowers have been used on quilts
and garments for at least 200 years. Here are two different
tools and techniques that I use to create ruched flowers.
ruffling or pleating. Ruched flowers have been used on quilts
and garments for at least 200 years. Here are two different
tools and techniques that I use to create ruched flowers.
To make a traditional strip-ruched flower, cut a bias strip 1 1/2" wide,
fold into thirds and press. Use the edge of the strip ruching guide,
as shown to mark the zig-zag stitching pattern.
fold into thirds and press. Use the edge of the strip ruching guide,
as shown to mark the zig-zag stitching pattern.
Use a matching color quilting
thread to make three or four
gathering stitches, edge to edge,
following the ruching pattern.
thread to make three or four
gathering stitches, edge to edge,
following the ruching pattern.
Begin in the center and form the
flower by spiraling and stitching
the ruched strip into place.
flower by spiraling and stitching
the ruched strip into place.
Tuck the final end underneath to
finish the flower.
finish the flower.
My circular ruching guide makes a flower with similar texture from a full
piece of fabric instead of a strip. Center the cirular ruching guide on the
right side of a square of fabric. The information card with the tool will tell
you how much fabric you need to make a certain size flower. Mark the
zig-zag ruching pattern for only your chosen size. This will show as two
rings of dots on the fabric.
piece of fabric instead of a strip. Center the cirular ruching guide on the
right side of a square of fabric. The information card with the tool will tell
you how much fabric you need to make a certain size flower. Mark the
zig-zag ruching pattern for only your chosen size. This will show as two
rings of dots on the fabric.
Connect the outer ring of dots to
draw a full circle; this will be your
turn line. Cut out the circle adding
a 1/2" seam allowance beyond the
line. Fold the edge under and
gather from dot to dot, creating
ruched petals along the edge.
draw a full circle; this will be your
turn line. Cut out the circle adding
a 1/2" seam allowance beyond the
line. Fold the edge under and
gather from dot to dot, creating
ruched petals along the edge.
As the edge of the circle is gathered,
extra fabric will begin to show in the
center. Place the flower, right side up,
over the stem, with the petals to the
outside, as shown. Stitch the edge into
place with a tacking stitch in each petal.
extra fabric will begin to show in the
center. Place the flower, right side up,
over the stem, with the petals to the
outside, as shown. Stitch the edge into
place with a tacking stitch in each petal.
Use as many random tacking stitches as
needed to secure the center fabric,
creating beautiful texture, as shown.
The flower is finished!
needed to secure the center fabric,
creating beautiful texture, as shown.
The flower is finished!
The Carnation wall quilt was made with the largest, #6, circular ruching guide.
The Carnation pattern is included in my newest book, Pennsylvania Plain & Fancy.
The Carnation pattern is included in my newest book, Pennsylvania Plain & Fancy.