The Balayeuse

I admit that I'd never heard the term "balayeuse" (it's so much fun to spell!)until I read the article about it on YWU. I always thought there were just a lot of ruffles sewn to the underside of every skirt- this makes so much more sense. After reading the article about it I went diving for some cotton and lace. I found what seems to be the only existing pattern online and went to work. It took me a bit to figure out the pleating at the back, but I love the finished result- especially the little covered satin buttons!

For the ruffles I used a 2" wide cotton strip. I turned a 1/4" hem top and bottom and then tried a new technique for gathering. I zig-zagged over a crochet thread and then pulled- Worked fantastically, but I'll use 2 rows next time.