Here's another fun twist on a basic tank -- add ruffles!
GIVEAWAY UPDATE: Thanks everybody for entering! Our winner is Sharon, who said, "Ruffles. I would add sequins also for some bling!" Can't argue with that one, Sharon! We'll be in touch via email soon.
This is really easy to do. All you need is a tank top, some knit fabric in a matching color, and (if you are feeling fancy!) some sparkly beads or crystals.
Step 1: cut the knit fabric into strips 5/8" wide. For this design, you'll need five strips: one that's 4 1/2" long, two 7" long, and two 9 1/2" long.
Then, use your sewing machine to run long basting stitches down the middle of each strip. Gently pull up on one of the threads to gather each strip, until each strip is half its original length.
Pin the shortest strip onto the tank, right down the center. You can use a ruler to keep from pinning the tank to itself :)
Sew the ruffle down, right on top of the basting stitches. Trim off any extra threads.
Keep gathering, pinning, and sewing strips, working out from the middle. The two mid-length strips should go on either side of the center ruffle, and the two longest ones should go on the outside.
When you're done with the strips, you could also sew on a few beads or crystals for a little extra sparkle.
Then, go have fun styling your new tank into your doll's wardrobe!
Have fun with this tutorial!
For Pixie Faire,
Melinda
I like pleats and gathers. My favorite color is blue. I sew with blue material
I like the gathers , you can make the cutest little summer sun dresses and skirts.
Thank you for asking me.
Gathers as they are easier to work with on smaller articles..
Gathers for me, really easy!
I love pleats the best because they carry a more polished look as far as I am concerned. To me a pleat holds a beat of class. Perhaps pleats match my character the most because they are straight forward and that is just like me.
I like the look of pleats better than gathers, but gathers are easier to make than pleats.
I like gathers better because they are so easy peasy to do!
Would rather do Gathers. Pleats are harder for me…but I keep working til I get them right! LOL
gathers as they are easier and quicker
Both gathers and pleats .
I like gathers better because they are easier to do and also can use in so many ways.
pleats have a more sophiscated look.
pleats have a more sophiscated look.
Cute Ruffles
I personally like to use gathers because they are so simple.I recently learned this cool technique where you can use dental floss to gather!
i love gathers because they can be big, small ,lots or a few, they lend themselves to everything
Pleats are my personal favorite. I think they make any outfit more dressy.
I love making gathers and enjoy spacing them out kind of like pleats but have never officially done pleats.
I’ve never tried pleats. I’ve done items with gathers a couple/few times, and they turn out okay for the most part, but it’s not my favorite. I must admit though, sleeves with gathers in them dress up a shirt nicely. :)
I like pleats. As a matter of fact I am trying to create some simple crocheted skirts using both the knife pleat and box pleat.
I like the look of both pleats and gathers. Which one I use depends on the outfit and look I want. I’ve made t-tops using this same method. Just place one strip of ruffles, a third of the way down the middle of the shirt. and added buttons on top of the ruffle.
I like both pleats and gathers. Pleats are definitely more formal and gathers are less fussy. They seem more fun. Both are easy to do.
Do you like pleats or gathers better? Why?
Pleats because no matter how I try, my ruffles never seem to evenly distribute.
Do you like pleats or gathers better? Why?
I like to use rufflers! I have one for each of my machines. The thing I like about the about the rufflers is the consistancy of the pleats. You set it and off ya go! :o) I also do gathers when doing, say a Prairie skirt, because the consistancy in the appearance is not needed for that style, but actually prefer the pleats JMHO Also I have used my rufflers to make flowers to add as trim to jackets and they came out really cool. I am sort of a gadget geek – love to play with those darn things lol! Thanks for the interesting question & contest!
Do you like pleats or gathers better? Why?
I like them both. I think gathers give a more fun, spontaneous look. While pleats give a more put together look. Both are easy to do.
I prefer gathers over pleats. Gathering is easier and seems less formal. Pleats are too structured for my taste.
Ruffles are fluffy and bouncy—fun! Pleats are formal—clothing with pleats look cute too. When I’m sewing “everyday clothing” I love the look of ruffling at the hem of a skirt or tee. When I sew something “dressy” it has to have pleats—especially at neckline and sleeve edge! Both are my favorites!!!
I like gathers because they are easy to do. Pleats are cool but a lot of measurements are required. I like to finish my projects faster because I get excited to see the end results!
I love both pleats and ruffles, and it depends on the style of the item that I’m working on. If it’s a skirt and sweater outfit, I’m sure to use pleats. A party dress begs for ruffles!
Gathers-they’re easier and I like the look more than pleats.
Both – they each provide a different look.
I think i like gathers better because they are easier to make. its so easy to gather rather than measure,pleats.
I can handle gathers, but am intimidated by the pleats. Plus I love the fun and casualness of the gathers!
I have always loved gathers and ruffles. They’re easier to do and easier to maintain. But mainly I think this comes from the fact that my mom sewed much of my clothing when I was a girl in the 50’s and more times than not, I was in pleats! With all those pleated skirts, dresses, coats (and the Shirley Temple curls because my hair is naturally wavy)—I prefer gathers!
I love pleats and gathers. A full skirt or full sleeve cap look great to me!
Either can dress up a garment. If you have a ruffle attachment it will do either – just cut a strip . use the attachment and cut to desired length after making ruffle or pleats.
I love ruffles better because they are easy to do and the result is fun and casual.
Gathers! So sweet and easy to do!
I love pleats
Gathers if your in more of a hurry to get the project done and they can be so feminine. Pleats
if you have a bit more time and maybe a bit more patients if you want them to turn out perfect.
both can be beautiful. Love all your patterns, ThankYou
Like the look of pleats better, but gathers are so much easier.
I prefer pleats – they stay better and can give definition to an article. They are harder to do, but will stay without a fuss.Gathers are sometimes had to get evenly spaced. When sewing, gathers can get tucked-up and sewn in the seam. Pleats for me!!!!!!
I love ruffles as they are softer
I love gathers because they’re so pretty and simple to do.
I like pleats. They look more professional and sleek.
I prefer pleats because so many of the rtw doll clothes use gathers and one of the many reasons to sew is to produce something unique. Plus if you play around with that old ruffler you’ll find that it makes pleats also. Tucks are another favorite for the same reason.
Truly depends on the garments. Both are appropriate at the right time.
Personally I woulprobably wimp out and go for gathers because of ease. I should probably push myself and perfect pleats.
I like them both equally depending on what I am doing. Pleats are more tailored but ruffles are more fun. Ruffles are also easier to sew and don’t require specialty feet or tools.
I do like pleats with the right pattern and fabric but gathers are so girly and cute. So both are winners.
I like gathers as they are much easier to fit to the doll, and there is more scope for the amount of fabric that can be used.
I like the look of pleats, but don’t ask me to make them! Gathers are so much easier to put in, so they’re my favorite! Does that mean I’m lazy? :o)
I like gathers for a sweet soft look for American Girl. I also love to learn from your tutorials!
I prefer the classic look and lines, so I would go for the pleats.
Depending upon what outfit I am sewing this with. I prefer pleats for a more formal look and gathers for an everyday look.
Gathers — they are more ruffley :)
Gathers are more frilly – and easier than pleats.
I prefer gathers as embellishments.
There is nothing finer than gathers to make an outfit more beautiful!
I prefer gathers. I think they are easier to sew and fun to wear. I like to add a little chiffon ruffle on the bottom of a sweatshirt or sweater.
I like gathers better. They are easier to do plus they look very sweet.
I prefer pleats, too — but it depends on the style of the garment. Pleats are classic. Ruffles are sweet, but they are a bit fussy. Styles today for kids and teens seem to shy away from ruffles anyway — a pleated skirt or a jacket with a pleat in the back= tres chic!
Since I prefer the classic look, I would go with pleats.
I don’t have a lot of experience with pleats, but I do have a vintage ruffler and it is so fun to use. For that reason, I pick……ruffles!!!! =)
I love pleats but gathers make a garment more feminine. Since I sew largely for American Girl dolls I love the girly quality. I have to admit however that school girl look of a little pleated skirt is adorable.
I always find ruffles time consuming (I made your Picture Day skirt yesterday!), so I think I prefer pleats. However, for the look, I really do like gathers!
My vote would be for pleats. I like the looks of them.
I like both, but if I’d have to choose I’d probably have to say that I’d go with gathers, because gathers are a sure way to girly up any outfit.
Ruffles. I would add sequins also for some bling!
Yes, pleats or gathers dress up an outfit and make clothing more classy Instead of the casual look, so it depends on how I feel or the occasion as to whether or not I wear pleats and gathers.
Love the ruffles with the beading to accent!
Oh,my. It’s like asking a mom which child is her favorite. I love them both. But I honestly think I shy away from ruffles because they appear to be so bothersome. The way you show us is so easy. Why didn’t I think of that???
I like gathers best. I’m still somewhat of a beginner and gathers are easier for me, and allows a little more room for error. I like the look of pleats, but I haven’t quite mastered them yet.
I love pleats for a more sophisticated look and ruffles for a more relaxed look.
Sorry but I can’t love one more than the other. Both have their place.
I like gathers on a top like this, but really love the way the pleated skirt turned out from your pattern. I just used some red/black/white tartan that I had left over from when I made draw curtains for our 1970’s VW bus. I told my 7 years old granddaughter that this material was an herloom…from 45 years ago!
Ruffles- pleats are far too structured for me. Ruffles are free-er and more relaxed- like me!
Can I remain neutral? Ruffles are indispensable for adding feminine flounce to a design, while pleats add refinement and elegance. Both are fabulous, and I love them in equal amounts!
Pleats- they always give a garment a classy touch!
I like the gathers because they are so neat and you can make them full or not as full ,depending on what you are making.
i like to see gathers best because they turn out so nice with way less effort than pleats. Although, it is really hard to beat the look of a crisply pleated school skirt. So I guess gathers wins, but only by a tiny margin!
Love them both — either elegant or fun.
gathers, simply because they are fun to scrunch up :)
Hi, I like gathers seems more feminine!
I prefer pleats, for looks! Gathers or ruffles are fussy and not as elegant, generally speaking. But, they are much easier to sew.
I prefer ruffles – they’re more feminine and I find pleats are more formal..
I prefer ruffles – they’re more feminine.
I like the look of pleats better but ruffles are easier to do!
I gathers because I love ruffles!
I prefer pleats for a more formal attire. Gathers work great for a casual look. For future care of the outfit, ironing pleats can be a challenge; whereas, care for gathered outfits is a breeze.
Gathers are easier, but I like pleats.
I think gathering is easier to sew. Pleats take a bit more time, but the results of each are great.
Pleats … I prefer symmetry
Interesting question. I guess I’d have to say gathers for their versatility & flounce, but pleats are also versatile depending on their width & fabric choice. Makes me want to go sew a pleated 18" doll skirt right now! ;)
I prefer gathering – it far more forgiving! ;-)
I like gathering, I find it easier to sew.
I can’t believe I would have to chose, I like gathers for ease of sewing and poofyness but nothing looks more professional and says “they took the time” than pleats.
I like gathers on skirts because then the skirt puffs out! ;P
I love pleats because there are so many different looks depending on the type of pleat used.
Irene
January 18, 2015
Thinking this would be cute with gathered or pleated ribbons as well. Cute idea!