As promised, I've put together a tutorial on how to make these no-sew paper ruffles that look like fabric. I've been using this technique a lot recently because I love the results, they really add fabulous texture and drama to a card. Once you get the hang of the technique you can make them quite quickly. Here I've made a triple ruffle but double and single ruffles look great too. Ok, here we go... I do go into a lot of detail! So maybe get a cup of tea... or coffee! : )
Firstly you'll need a good quality weight of paper, here I've used Prima Botanical papers in strips of 12" by 1.5". You can play around with the widths of paper but I find you'll need at least 12" for the length. You'll also need some water in a spray/mist bottle, I used an old Tattered Angels glimmer mist one and double sided tape.
Spray along the BACK of your strip of paper with water, just a few squirts, don't over wet it or it'll be too soggy!
Using your finger spread the water evenly over the back of the strip. Leave it for a minute or two to absorb in. The water makes the paper much easier to shape.
Flip over your strip and start to gather, pinch along just ONE SIDE of your strip.
Keep hold of as much of the strip as you can, continue gathering, the gathers don't have to be uniform in size. Keep going until you get to the end, it should look a bit like this.
Once you get to the end you can let go. You'll need a tool with a flat rounded end, I used the wrong end of my tweezers. On every other gather use the tool to plump out the pleat by pulling the tool along the back of the pleat in an upwards motion. Do this while holding the pinched side.
It's kind of hard to describe, I hope you can see what I'm doing in the photos. Do this for a few of the gathers.
Once you get to the end, put your ruffle aside to DRY for at least 15 mins. Pinch the gathered side tight before leaving to dry. You need to leave it to dry because the double sided tape won't stick to the damp paper and you'll have a bit of a mess. (Trust me I know!)
You can make your other ruffles while this one is drying! Once dry gently lie the ruffle flat on the wrong side (Trust me!)
Then add a strip of double sided tape to the top of your ruffle (at the back), press down firmly. Remove backing.
Flip over your ruffle. TAKE YOUR TIME doing this next bit. Start to regather your ruffle! Sticking the pleats as you go along, the double sided tape is pretty sticky so don't panic. Just focus on a section at at time.
Work your way along to the end of the strip. Once it's all gathered and secured use your tool to fluff out some of the gathers.
Then repeat for your other strips. You shouldn't need to add any more tape to the back of your ruffles, you should be able to stick them directly onto your card. Just don't forget they're sticky when you put them down somewhere!
I'll just show you how I do the triple ruffle. Stick down your bottom ruffle, gently press the middle down first, make any adjustments so that it's straight. Once you're sure it's straight press the top of the ruffle down firmly.
It's best to trim the ends of each ruffle before you add the next. I cut them flush with the edge. (You'll see why in a minute!)
Add your next ruffle, following the steps as before. It's up to you how much space you want between the ruffles.
Add your final ruffle. (Don't worry, we're nearly at the end!)
Trim the ends with a sharp scissors flush with the edge of your card.
Now tease out the edges of the ends, they should fan out nicely. I do this for each ruffle.
So that's it, your ruffles are complete. It should look a bit like this. Now finish off your card however you like. It's fun to play with the depth of the ruffles as well as the fullness, use shorter strips for less full ruffles. There's so many possibilities!!
I hope you followed all that ok!! I hope you'll give it a try, it's very addictive once you get the hang of it!! Have fun!! : ) Oh yea, the ruffles are also really handy for hiding the sharp ends of trinket pins behind too!
Supplies:
Card/Paper: White card, Prima Botanical papers
Stamps: Big Day - Additions from Waltzingmouse Stamps
Ink: Black Archival ink, Distress Ink Antique Linen
Other: Seam binding, trinket pins, Spellbinders Fancy Tags, twine, sewing machine, die-cutting machine.
Очень классно получилось! Сама изящность. Спасибо за идею и урок!
ReplyDeleteIt was a perfect tutorial. I have never thought to do this and I like it. Thanks for sharing it with us! NancyD
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card! What a lovely idea, ruffles looks adorable :) Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThats a brilliant idea and tutorial :) Im sure I will try it out in my next cards :)
ReplyDeleteA very dramatic card, lovely.
ReplyDeleteYour card is just gorgeous, as always! Thanks you for paper ruffle tutorial.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
AMAZING!!! This is so WONDERFUL again! I was just going to ask where you find all the beautiful papaer you use - then I realize I have those paper - but I could just never have thought up and made anything near as beautiful as this with them. You are just outstanding! Thanks for the tutorial - will let you know if I give it a try (-:
ReplyDeleteHugs, Karin
This is a lovely idea! I'm already thinking of how this could work on a "welcome baby" card... Or, maybe it could be adapted for tutus or other fancy dresses. Thanks so much for taking time to post this. I will definitely be back!!
ReplyDeleteGloria
:o)
Thanks for sharing your lovely ruffles technique!
ReplyDeleteLOVE this! Lovely!
ReplyDeletespectacular
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing, this card is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOkay, guess who is going to have your fabulous flounces on practically every card for the forseeable future now? Sigh. Yep me. Thanks for such a clear tut on your fantastic ruffles. I'm totally excited now.
ReplyDeleteYour card is first class. The pattern papers are so beautiful combined as you have done and paired with that fantastic label. Just perfect!
THANKS for sharing!! I'll be giving this a try - it looks sooooo good :)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh Clare....soooooo beautiful. They really do look like fabric and add such a cozy, warm feeling to the card....loving them:-)) Thank you for showing us! xL
ReplyDeleteWow! Thank you for the wonderful tutorial!
ReplyDeleteI've been tempted to try these paper ruffles out after seeing them on your cards lately. Thanks for the tutorial, will definitely be making some now x
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your lovely creativity. Your blog is always a fun stop. Love your designs and beautiful work
ReplyDeleteThanks for this, can' wait to try it.
ReplyDeleteLuv, Babs
Great tutorial, thank you!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! Thank you for the tutorial!
ReplyDeleteI Love this!! Thanks for the tut I'm really going to use this
ReplyDeletegreat tutorial and such a darling card, thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteWOW! Gorgeous, and it really does look like fabric in those lovely prints. Great tutorial, I can't wait to try it. I have some Girly bday cards I need to make this month and this will be perfect.
ReplyDeletewonderful results. FAB tutorial! thanks for the inspiration! :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous ... your paper just looks like fabric!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous and thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this great tutorial, Clare! I will definitely be trying this, the results are spectacular! The card you made today is so soft and romantic, would be perfect for a wedding.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful card and a wonderful tutorial...you make it look so easy. I've attempted paper ruffles before with so-so results, but some of the steps you suggest should help a lot. Thank YOU! xoxo
ReplyDeleteSo stunning....appreciate you sharing the tutorial!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for this very helpful tutorial!!! Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteWonderful tutorial, Clare! Love the card, too!
ReplyDeleteWow! Thank you so much for going through the effort of putting together this tut! It's totally fabulous! I can't wait to try!
ReplyDeleteWhat a super treat! Gorgeousness overload! Love what you have done here and thank you for the tutorial.
ReplyDeleteLove these paper ruffles Clare, I am so going to try this! Stunning card too, as always!
ReplyDeleteI love your picture tutorial -Thank you for taking the time to explain how to make these beautiful ruffles! I'm going to try to make a few this week :-)
ReplyDeleteVery cool, the effect is amazing!
ReplyDeleteКлассная идея!
ReplyDeleteVery cool! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWow!, thanks so much for this tutorial.
ReplyDelete-Sony
Beautiful, great tutorial thanks for sharing x
ReplyDeleteWendy x
Gorgeous, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card! Thanks for sharing a tutorial on this technique. I love it and will certainly give it a try.
ReplyDeleteWow, I love your well written tutorial. Do you have any idea what weight this paper would be?
ReplyDeleteThanks Cheryl, I used scrapbook weight paper (about 180gsm) but I have used heavier paper/cardstock too but it's a little more tricky, you'd have to spray it a bit more with water to make it more malleable. I hope that helps.
DeleteWow! I love your technique! I can't wait to try this out. Thanks so much for the lovely tutorial!
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Nancy
Simply gorgeous and a great tutorial, thanks so much. I want to give this a try....
ReplyDeleteЕще раз большое спасибо за урок и идею! У меня получилась такая вот открытка с вашими рюшами http://katrin-hobby.blogspot.com/2012/03/blog-post_09.html
ReplyDeletePatti P. shared a link to your ruffle technique on her blog, Patti's Paper Creations and I found my way here. Thank you for sharing this technique and your lovely vintage card!
ReplyDeleteAlso here from Patti P's blog and what an awesome tutorial you have created. Definitely going to give this a try. Thanks! "Hugs"
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial! I came over from Patti P.'s blog. Gorgeous work, and TFS!
ReplyDeletehere from Patti too! awesome tutorial TFS (-:
ReplyDeleteClare thank you for the tutorial. I made a card using it http://monika-jot.blogspot.com/2012/05/falbanki-falbanki.html
ReplyDeletebeautiful card, great tutorial
ReplyDeleteFantastic tutorial, lovely card!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteClare, thanks for sharing. I made a card using your tutorial here - http://mymemoryverses.blogspot.com/2012/07/encouragement-card_31.html
ReplyDeleteI hope I did it justice!!
I love this card and your tutorial is so fantastic. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteWow... what an *AWESOME* tutorial!! I'll definitely try this!! I also came up with the idea to make fabric ruffles, but haven't even tried to make them yet. It was sooooo awesome to find your tutorial!!! I love the fact that you can easily make gorgeous matching *ribbon* from any paper collection!! :) God bless & big hugs... Tracy
ReplyDeleteThese are lovely! I will definitely be using this tutorial.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. I did something similar myself. I think I'll try your way too. Thanks for the tutorial.
ReplyDeleteHugs from Slovenia, Keti
Wow , thats a fantastic tutorial !!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing
I love this but have a really dumb question? HOw do you get this into an envelope?? It seems like it would flatten everything.....all that hard work.
ReplyDeleteHi Cheryl! For my more dimensional cards I either A) Make an envelobox - http://www.crafterscompanion.com/The-Envelobox-Creator_p_371.html B) Make a simple lidded box, you can also pick these up quite cheaply or c) If it's to go with a gift I usually alter a gift bag and use the Card Hanger Die to pop my special card on the front, it's even better than a tag - http://soapboxcreations.blogspot.com/p/card-hanger-die.html
DeleteExcellent tutorial. Made some ruffles for a tag I crafted and I'm really pleased with the results.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. x
What a fab addition to any card project. Love this tut - clearly explained. Thank you so much for sharing, Clare.
ReplyDeletexxx Asha
Sunny Summer Crafts
Gorgeous card! Thanks for the tutorial, I'm looking forward to trying this technique x
ReplyDeleteThis is delighful! found it on Pinterest and followed you here! I will be back to visit! lovely blog and super good tutorial on the ruffled paper. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! Found you via http://marcellesmainia.blogspot.com/2013/09/blessings-2nd-last-church-card.html
ReplyDeleteI am going to try and use this technique for a valance that will go above a dollhouse casement window. Wish me luck!
ReplyDeleteWhat did you mean by 'sticking your pleats"?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Peg
Hi Peggy, when I added the double sided tape to the back of the strip, it made it fairly flat again, so once the tape is added you have to regather the folds/pleats. With the added tape you're 'sticking' the folds/pleats in place. I hope that explains it for you! Good luck with the dollhouse casement window!
DeleteWonderful tutorial. Thank you for taking the time to include all the photos.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the great works.
Cannot wait to see more.
Happy thoughts,
Petrina
genius:)
ReplyDelete