Ruffled Crepe Paper Tutorial: My Creative Scrapbook

Crepe paper streamers are fun and festive and are even more so when they’re ruffled.   If you have access to a sewing machine, ruffled crepe paper streamers are a cinch to make.

I got a length of red crepe in my April kit at My Creative Scrapbook and I thought I would see if I could ruffle it.  Turns out I could and it was so simple. Just took a minute to do!

Ruffled crepe paper follows the same general principle as gathering ribbon, but is much easier. No strings to pull.

Start by feeding one end of crepe paper under the foot of your sewing machine.  Set the machine to the longest stitch, then tighten the tension.  Do a quick backstitch, then slowly start to sew. As the crepe paper feeds, the tight tension will automatically ruffle the crepe paper.  The higher your tension, the tighter your ruffles.

When you’re done, you have a ruffled crepe paper streamer.  It would be pretty on a card or layout. Just use it in place of lace or ribbon.

You can also use it to make a flower, just as you would with gathered ribbon.  With the crepe streamer, just make a circle and secure. You can add a brad, button or decorative element in the center if you like.

Ruffled crepe paper can be used for all types of party elements. Of course, they make great streamers, but the ruffles would also be cute as gift packaging or bottle wraps. Here I wrapped the ruffled crepe paper around a vase for a festive feel.

I have a tutorial on how to make a paper pinwheel on this post.  

Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend!