Ruching – a fun embellishment

Ok, so I’ve been trying to work on a new skill: ruching! It’s interesting, basically putting a running stitch through ribbon, pulling it tight and then appliqueing it down. Here’s my first attempt:

Of course, my guru of ruching (and most things CQ) is LouAnne Sassone in California (we’re trying to lure her out here to Colorado). She was the one who started this great ruching hunt of mine with her picture:

I know….I’m humbled! I think she does a great job of describing the technique:

Ruching is gathering something like ribbon or vintage seam binding by hand basting with sewing thread either in a wavy line or zig zag line and then pulling the thread gently to gather the ribbon/binding as much as you like and then adding it in a meandering way or on a seam. During the stitching on of said ruching, I usually add some seed beads for that special sparkle.

Use your beading thread & beads to sew it on. Just lightly pin it where you want it and then proceed to add the beads. The beading thread is strong and will anchor your ruching well. If you were not adding beads you could just use sewing thread and sew it to your block with tiny stitches hidden in the folds of the ruching. And then……………..you can do either of the above and also then add stitches. Using ribbon or threads you can further embellish your ruched seam with detached chain, fly stitches or featherstitching. I’m partial to using ribbon floss for this. It looks great with the ruching.

Also, you CAN make flowers with ruching. Gather your ribbon in various ways into a circle. Before applying to your piece, decide which is the back side and secure it with tiny stitches on back. Apply to your piece using same thread and then, if desired, come up in the middle go over the edge and back down to the back making some “petals”. Lastly add some beads to the center for the flower’s pistils! I go side to side as well as along the ribbon with my gathering stitch?

Does it matter what type of ribbon? silk ribbon or vintage seam binding. The softer the better – the stitches should be small and “pull-up-able” and should look like this:

  / a    /d /   n  /  o/     d/    wn

big zig zags but tiny basting stitches. Another look is gotten by doing the basting in a wavy pattern from side to side of ribbon (rounded)……

  /a       /d /  n     /  o/   d - -/    wn - -

Anyway, that’s pretty much my experience with ruching so far….fun (even trying to duplicate the technique on a blog!!)
I hope everyone tries it!