easy "fishing line ruffles"

I made dust ruffles last week for the first time in ages.  I started out the traditional way, sewing 2 long stitch rows close to the edge, tying knots, pulling strings, hoping that none of them would break.

Then suddenly, I had a flash back and it all came back to me . . . FISHING LINE!!!  I quickly pulled it out of the kitchen drawer where I use it for making cinnamon rolls.

Here's how you do it: 

Lay your fishing line along your sewing line: (these pictures are from a different project)

 Leaving a good 6 inch tale out the starting edge:

 Sew a long, wide zig zag stitch along the edge of your fabric, feeding your fishing line down the middle.  When you get to the end, gather your fabric along the fishing line. 

I like to attach one end to my sewing project with a clamp, then gather fabric along fishing line to desired length.  Attach other end with a clamp (be sure you grab the fishing line).   Sew gather to your project.   Pull out fishing line.  If you're careful, you can re-use the same piece of fishing line over and over.   EASY PEASY!!!

Finished dust ruffle:

I hear that there are lots of ways to make gathers.  Please leave me a comment if you have any tricks.  

FIRST GRAND-BABY BORN !!!

Yes, I know, he is the cutest :)