Make a Ruffle Top in Just 5 Minutes

Tools and materials:

• Fabric
• Scissors
• Sewing Machine
• Pins or fabric clips

Measure fabric

I measured from my chest to where I want the top to stop and cut out a strip of fabric.

Cut, cut, cut!

Measure and cut the strip at 45 inches.

Make strips

Using the same 45-inch length, cut two separate strips. One at 5.5 inches in width and the other, 3.5 inches wide.

Fold and cut

Fold your main fabric into two and cut along the fold so you have two, identical pieces.

Pin and sew

 Pin one side together and sew along the edges.

Pin the strips

Take your shorter length strip and pin it, the wrong side up, right on top of the seams of the bigger piece.

Next, place the 5.5-inch strip on top of the 3.5-inch strip and clip in place.

Sew the pieces

Using elastic thread, sew the pieces together, leaving a few inches of seam allowance from the edge. The elastic thread will automatically create a gather-like structure.

Pull the thread

Once your pieces are sewn in place, pull and gather the thread so that it fits your size.

Flip the layers and sew a side seam

Once you’re done gathering the layers, flip them over to the right side of the top.

Before you sew the side seams, ensure the layers are placed on the right side of the top. Clip the seams in place and sew along the sides using a zigzag stitch.

Make the waist tie

Mark where you want the waist tie to be using measuring tape and pen. Repeat the process for the back part of the top.

Fold the shirt where you marked your lines and make tiny snips around the top.

Cut out an elongated strip from your remaining fabric; this will be for the waist tie.

Also, cut out four smaller strips for the straps. Roll the fabric so that it rolls into a snake-like structure.

Attach a pin to one side of the longer strip and feed it through the snips, going over and under each gap.

Pin and sew on your straps, two on each side. Tie them on your shoulders at your preferred length.

5 minutes is up and you now have yourself an awesome ruffle top! That was quick and the results speak for themselves! I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and remember, go for any color or print that you wish, this is your creation.