Learn Easy Crochet Ruffles - Upcycle by Loopy Mabel

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Upcycling Clothes: Adding a Crochet Trim
3. Materials Needed
4. Using the Edge It Tool
5. Attaching the Crochet Trim
6. Working the First Round
7. Working the Second Round
8. Adding Ruffles to the Trim
9. Lengthening the Ruffle Edge
10. Completing the Crochet Trim
11. Adding the Trim to the Hem
12. Additional Ideas and Inspiration
13. Conclusion

Upcycling Clothes: Adding a Crochet Trim

Fashion trends come and go, but vintage-style clothing always remains a timeless favorite. If you're a fan of vintage fashion and love to give old clothes a new life, adding a crochet trim is a simple and effective way to transform your garments. In this tutorial, we'll show you how to upcycle a plain blouse by adding a beautiful crochet ruffle trim to the cuffs. This easy-to-follow guide will provide step-by-step instructions, tips, and inspiration to help you create your own unique style. So grab your crochet hooks and let's get started on this fun and creative project!

Materials Needed

Before we begin, let's gather all the necessary materials for this project. You'll need the following items:

1. A plain blouse (preferably from a thrift shop)
2. Edge It Tool (comes with a 1.75mm hook and piercing tool)
3. 3.25mm crochet hook
4. 3.75mm crochet hook
5. Scissors
6. Aricore Essentials Cotton Double Knit yarn (in white or your preferred color)

Make sure you have all these materials on hand before proceeding with the tutorial. Once you have everything ready, we can start adding the crochet trim to your blouse!

Using the Edge It Tool

To create the holes for your crochet hook to go through, we'll be using the Edge It Tool. This tool comes with a 1.75mm piercing tool, which is perfect for making holes in fabrics. Start by going all the way around one cuff of the blouse with the piercing tool, making several holes along the edge. The number of holes will depend on your desired spacing and the width of the crochet trim.

Attaching the Crochet Trim

Now that you have created the holes, it's time to attach the crochet trim to the cuffs of the blouse. Insert the 1.75mm crochet hook into the first hole and pull the yarn through. Chain one to secure the yarn, then work a double crochet into the same hole. Continue working double crochets into each hole around the cuff, making sure to go through both layers of fabric. This step can be a bit fiddly, but it's worth the effort for the beautiful finish it provides.

Working the First Round

Once you have completed the first round, switch to the 3.25mm crochet hook. Chain one, which doesn't count as a stitch, then work a double crochet into the same stitch. Continue working double crochets into each stitch around the cuff. This round should be much smoother and quicker than the previous one since you're not going through the fabric layers.

Working the Second Round

If you want to make the ruffle trim longer, you can add another round of double crochets. Simply chain three to start, which counts as your first treble, and then work one treble into each treble from the previous round. This will create a deeper ruffle effect, giving your blouse sleeve a more whimsical and feminine touch.

Adding Ruffles to the Trim

To create even more ruffles, you can continue adding rounds of trebles. Each round of trebles will add more stitches and depth to the ruffle. Simply work one treble into each treble from the previous round until you achieve your desired ruffle length.

Lengthening the Ruffle Edge

If you're satisfied with the length of your ruffle trim, you can stop adding rounds and finish off the edge. Slip stitch to the top of the chain three from the beginning to secure the yarn. Trim the excess yarn, and your ruffle edge is complete!

Completing the Crochet Trim

Now that you have finished adding the crochet trim to one cuff of the blouse, repeat the same steps on the other cuff. You can also consider adding a trim to the hem of the blouse for a cohesive look. Be creative and experiment with different styles and colors to give your clothing a unique and personalized touch.

Additional Ideas and Inspiration

If you enjoy adding trims, there are endless possibilities to explore. You can try different crochet edge trims, such as pom-pom edges or lace-like patterns, to enhance your garments. Check out our video tutorial on adding a pom-pom edge trim (link provided) for more inspiration and ideas.

Remember, practice makes perfect when it comes to crochet. Don't be discouraged if it takes a few tries to achieve the desired result. Enjoy the process, and have fun adding your own unique style to your wardrobe!

Conclusion

Upcycling clothes is a fantastic way to express your creativity and give new life to old garments. Adding a crochet trim is a simple yet effective way to transform a plain blouse into a vintage-inspired fashion piece. With the help of the Edge It Tool and some basic crochet techniques, you can easily create beautiful ruffle trims that will make your clothing stand out. So why not grab your crochet hooks and start upcycling your wardrobe today? Get ready to showcase your own unique style and enjoy the satisfaction of wearing something you've created with your own hands.

Remember, the possibilities are endless when it comes to upcycling and crochet. Let your imagination run wild and explore different trims, colors, and patterns. Happy upcycling!