Fancy Ribbon Tutorial

A few of you have asked me how I made the ribbon detail on Amy's 4th of July dress. Well, here is my attempt at a tutorial. Hopefully it makes sense.

I am not sure what length to tell you to use. I just grabbed a long piece and started a few inches from the end. Just make sure you will have enough for seam allowances and all that. Then fold your ribbon back about 4" or so from the edge. This doesn't have to be exact, you will be cutting off the excess later.

Now you will need to stitch your ribbon down. In the pictures I only measured over an inch but it didn't turn out as nice as the original. I would suggest measuring over as far as your ribbon is wide. So for 1.25" ribbon, sew your seam at 1.25".

This is what it will look like once sewed. Be sure to back space at beginnin and end. This will help prevent your seam from pulling apart later.

Now you will need to sew another line. I measured over 2", but you will need to measure over double the amount you did before. So for 1.25" ribbon, measure over 2.5".

Sew that seam. (I am using contrasting thread so you can see my lines. Please use thread that matches.)

Repeat this method until you have the amount of pleats you would like for your garment.

Now you will need to flatten your pleats. Push the loop down so that the seam is in the middle. To help the seam get extra flat, put your fingers in the loop and press the seam down really well. Then you can push the loop from the outside to get it flat. It should look something like this.

Repeat for all loops and pin well.

Now you will need to stitch down the center of your ribbon.

Here is how it will look all stitched down. (My measurements were a little off, that is why there are gaps. Be sure to measure accurately to avoid these gaps.)

Now you will need to attach this to your garment. Just place and pin where you would like it to be and stitch over that middle line again. Easy peasy. I layered mine with lace. You could really do whatever you wanted. Just cut off any extra ribbon after sewing it on. For purposes of this tutorial, I did not stitch my ribbon down to something else. But be sure that you stitch it down now or you will have to start over.

Once you have completed sewing your garment together you can move on to this next step. It just makes it easier to have your garment all the way done before finishing your pleats. You will need to use a needle and thread for this part. Put your needle into the center of the pleat, coming down from the top. Like this picture shows.

Pull your thread all the way through. Now put your needle on the opposite side of the pleat coming up from the bottom. Like this picture.

Now go through the first hole you made again.

Pull the thread tight and you will form the fancy pleat.

Stitch over this spot 3 or 4 times and tie off in a knot. Cut threads. You can reinforce the knot with glue or fray check if wanted. Repeat with all pleats.

And that is how you make that fancy folded ribbon. I just did this one really fast so it doesn't look that great in this picture. Just be sure to measure accurately and use matching thread and it will turn out beautiful. I put this on a dress for Amy, but you could put it on a purse, pillow, lampshade, skirt, I have even seen it as a detail on the neckline of a top for an adult. Super cute. You could even add rhinestones in between the pleats which would be really fun. Anyway, there you have it. Please leave a comment if you have any questions. Good luck!