Date: 11/7/09 7:40 AM

I keep hearing about this and from what I understand this a very thin bindng that can be used to encase seams with very little bulk. I want some of this but I can't find a source in Australia. Is it called something else here or is there something else that works as well?

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Julie

Date: 11/7/09 10:31 AM

I bought some last night on clearance at Hancock Fabrics in the US. 'Seams Great' distibuted by Dritz.
Basically it's sheer nylon tricot (the kind used for overlays)cut into bias strips. When sewing it on, you give it a little pull and it curls around the seam. It used to come in 2 widths, the one I bought was 5/8 inch wide. You could cut your own with a rotary cutter and a ruler. The tricot also makes nice stay strips for knits and bulky fabrics if you cut stips on the straight.

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My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 10, and I've been sewing ever since.

Reply to ajax
Date: 11/7/09 3:06 PM

Punch with Judy have it:

Seams Great

I've never actually seen it in a shop, but then I haven't been looking. I found this using Google.

Judy is set up for mail order, but also attends the various "Stitches and Craft" type shows, if you prefer to buy in person and can get to one.

PS - Just read on her website that she doesn't do "Stitches & Craft" any more, but still does "Quilt & Craft" shows. She is in Adelaide this weekend.
-- Edited on 11/7/09 3:09 PM --

Reply to ajax
Date: 11/7/09 5:46 PM

I bought mine from Spotlight (one of the large, good ones) but that was about three years ago. I have no idea if they still stock it. I happened to see it one day and bought it.

Personally though I've moved on and I now use rayon Seam Binding. It has to be purchased from overseas but oh it's sooooo nice and worth it. Much nicer than Seams Great. Seams Great has a bit of a cheap and nasty feel to it.

I buy my seam binding from Jeff at ZipperStop when I'm buying my zippers. It comes in 200+ colours and you can order a colour card. Getting any sort of seam binding in Australia has become next to impossible. HTH

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Belinda. Melbourne, Australia
http://sew-4-fun.blogspot.com/
**Sew for the fun of it**

Reply to diane s
Date: 11/7/09 7:59 PM

Thanks Diane,

I did think of making my own but unfortunately I haven't found any sheer nylon tricot in any of my local stores. Being lazy I figure that if I am going to have to order on line I may as well order the finished product if I can get it.

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Julie

Reply to Sew4Fun
Date: 11/7/09 8:15 PM

Thanks Belinda - the rayon seam binding has got me intrigued. Do you just get a couple of neutral colours or do you order to match specific fabrics? I'm wondering about the postage cost also....

My local Spotlight doesn't carry anything like this. I looked for myself and then asked. I was informed in a very patronising manner that no such thing existed, and that I was mixed up and really wanted bias binding.

There are a few independant fabric and craft stores here as well and I got much the same response from them although delivered in a nicer manner.

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Julie

Reply to Vireya
Date: 11/7/09 8:16 PM

Thank you Vireya,

This is very helpful. I've ordered from Punch with Judy before and actually looked at their website last night before posting - I'm pretty sure I looked in the sewing tapes section but I obviously missed it. I must be blind!!

Now I'm tossing up whether to order some or whether the rayon seam binding Sew4Fun linked to might be a better option...

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Julie

Reply to ajax
Date: 11/7/09 9:13 PM

>>Do you just get a couple of neutral colours

Yes, I order netural colours that will blend with a variety of different colours. Much like when you buy overlocking thread.
eg. black, cream, grey, beige, etc. plus any other colour you sew a lot of. I sew a lot of aquas and sea green so my next purchase will be some green/blue shades. Again colours that can blend with lots of different shades. Really though you only need a few basic colours.

Postage last time for four reels and a colour card was US$20 if that helps.

Edited to add: each reel has 100yards on it so one reel is going to last a very long time.

-- Edited on 11/7/09 9:16 PM --

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Belinda. Melbourne, Australia
http://sew-4-fun.blogspot.com/
**Sew for the fun of it**

Reply to Sew4Fun
Date: 11/8/09 0:18 AM

Thanks Belinda,

Just had a look at the zippers as well - good prices and heaps of colours. I just bought zippers at a local store that was having a 40% off sale but these are still cheaper and I think better quality.

Next time I need zippers I'll order from Zipperstop and get some seam binding as well. In the meantime I'm going to order some Seams Great as it should arrive faster and I want to try it on a couple of work shirts I'm making at the moment.

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Julie