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Cutting and Sewing Godets, Flounces, Ruffles, and Pleats – Simple Visual Basics

Flounced Ruffles Frills and Such

I found this visual guide on Pinterest showing how particular flounces etc are cut and created.  These cuts look fabulous on today’s styles featuring geometric, and diagonal lines, rounded and inverted front and back hems, etc.  I was unable to source the original author and got as far as http://mutualisms.wordpress.com.  If you recognize or know where this visual reference originates, please get in touch!

What exactly is a flounce?

The term flounce is a particular type of fabric manipulation that creates a similar look but with less bulk. The term derives from earlier terms of frounce or fronce.  A wavy effect effected without gathers or pleats is created by cutting a curved strip of fabric and applying the inner or shorter edge to the garment. The depth of the curve as well as the width of the fabric determines the depth of the flounce. A godet is a circle wedge that can be inserted into a flounce to further deepen the outer floating wave without adding additional bulk at the point of attachment to the body of the garment, such as at the hemline, collar or sleeve.


Ruffles appeared at the draw-string necklines of full chemises in the 15th century, evolved into the separately-constructed ruff of the 16th century. Ruffles and flounces remained a fashionable form of trim, off-and-on into modern times.”  – Wikipedia!

Here are some related sewing tutorials and projects using flounces, ruffles, etc:


Godet Sewing Video Tutorials:




Flounce Sewing Video Tutorials:




Ruffle Sewing Video Tutorials:



Pleats Sewing Video Tutorials:


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