Free Directions to Sew Clown Collar and Cuffs for a Clown Costume

Gather the ruffle

Debbie Colgrove, Licensed to About.com

• Using a piece of string that is longer than the un-gathered ruffle, lay the string in the center fold of the ruffle.
• Using white thread in your sewing machine, with the un-folded layers of fabric strips laid flat on the sewing machine bed, zig zag over the string, but not stitching on the string so that the string remains free to move.
• Knot or tie off one end of the string so it doesn't get pulled through as you gather. (It can be temporarily tied to a door handle or chair.)
• Tug the string to gather the fabric.
• Gather the fabric until it is gathered up to the desired length that is on your ribbon.
• Evenly distribute the gathers.
• Pin the center of the ruffle to the center of the ribbon.
• Pin the ends of the ruffle to the ends of the ruffle area of the ribbon.
• Using a straight stitch, sew the ruffle to the ribbon, sewing in the center of the ruffle and the center of the ribbon.

• Materials
• Calculate the width and length of the ruffle
• Prepare Strips
• Edges of the Ruffle- using double fold bias tape
• Edges of the Ruffle- using a hem and decorative stitches
• Edges of the Ruffle- using a serger
• Find the center
• Gather the ruffle
• Snap ends
• Fabric Pom- Poms and Spots for a Clown Costume