As history evolves, so does the fashion worn by the people who change history. But just as history repeats itself, fashion trends do the same. One fashion trend that transcends time since the 1800’s is ruching. For those of you who don’t know what ruching is, let me explain.

Ruching the gathering of strips of fabric. Simple right? Well you’re not wrong. Ruching appeared back in the fashion seen in the 1980’s as a classic gathering technique in order to add liveliness back to clinging clothing. This fashion trend shows up in all sort or clothing apparel; from skirts to sleeves. It’s more commonly seen in the everyday styles of maternity clothes.

So what does ruching accomplish? The answer to that is that it accomplishes a lot. It adds texture, silhouette, liveliness, and style to just about any type of apparel. It even helps to elongate the frame and allow a curvy appearance to shine through. In order to accomplish this, the fabric is gathered, pleated, or repeatedly folded as embellishment.

Take ruching on dressed as an example. It creates a 3-Dimensional look to the fabric and emphasizes the contours of the form wearing it.

Rouching has four techniques that is applicable to said trend:

1.) Gathering with Basting Stitches

This is the easiest method of ruching because basting stitches can be made by hand or

a sewing machine. This allows the fabric to contain its fullness and create automatic

folds.

2.) Stitching with an Elastic Band

3.) Pleating the Fabric

4.) Hand Stitching a Rouche with Smocking Stitches

This method consist of tying knots in the back of the fabric in a pattern.

 

No matter what method is used, ruching is definitely a trend to follow for this 2019 Fashion Season.