ruched

Ruching, or ruched fabric, refers to fabric that has been gathered, pleated, or bunched to create ridges and a textured, wavy surface. The term ruched derives from the French ruche, meaning frill, and in sewing it describes a controlled bunching of fabric often along a seam or edge.

Techniques include gathering along a seam by basting and sewing, smocking, and shirring, which uses multiple rows of parallel elastic threads to create even, stretchable ruching. Drawstrings or elastic cords can be used to pull fabric into decorative folds. The result can be uniform, as in shirred panels, or irregular and sculptural, as in hand-ruched fashions.

Applications: In clothing, ruching is used to add volume, shape, or texture to dresses, skirts, blouses, sleeves, swimsuits, and lingerie. It is also common in accessories and in home textiles such as curtains, cushions, and upholstery, where it adds a tactile, dimensional surface.

Variations and care: Ruching can be implemented with elastic fiber or non-elastic fabrics; shirring relies on elastic thread. Care depends on fabric and construction; ruched areas may require gentle washing and avoiding excessive stretching to maintain fold integrity.