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Need a creative solution to a drawstring gone bad
SouthernStitch   Advanced LA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 8182	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/24/12 10:04 AM So I'm making This Butterick pattern, with the drawstring top. The pattern gives terrible instructions for the drawstring. They have you sew a tube and expect you to turn it!! Yeah, maybe on a size 2! My size 16 drawstring no way. It was late, I wasn't thinking and ruined it. I have no more fabric. I like the top, so next time I'll just make a narrower strip, and press it towards center, and over again, and stitch down. But in the meantime.... Is there a creative solution? The fabric is a teal chambray, which has black threads on the cross weave - but it's overall teal color. I'm just stumped. If nothing surfaces I can just remove the casing and insert elastic on the underside, but I really wanted a drawstring! ------ Bernina 730E, 530, and 350PE Singer 221 FW, 403a When life gives you green velvet curtains, make a green velvet dress.
Annie- oh Intermediate CO USA Member since 2/7/04 Posts: 1169	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/24/12 10:09 AM This pattern is for me, thanks! Since the drawstring is such a small part of an interesting design, would an interesting contrast in color, even texture, work for it? Maybe even more...chic...than the same fabric? I look forward to a review, love the fabric you described, too. ------ I try all things. I achieve what I can. "Moby Dick" We stand here confronted by insurmountable opportinities. Pogo
solveg   Beginner MN USA Member since 2/16/12 Posts: 366	Login to reply to this post In reply to SouthernStitch << Like this post Date: 8/24/12 10:24 AM Just so that I don't make the same mistake you did, what exactly happened? Why is it hard to turn a size 16 tube, and how did you permanently ruin it by trying?
jannw   Intermediate WA USA Member since 9/3/06 Posts: 7392	Login to reply to this post In reply to SouthernStitch << 1 member likes this. Date: 8/24/12 10:44 AM Can you thread a quarter inch or half inch elastic through it and sew the ends of the drawstring to it? That way, you would get the drawstring look and the gathering without the hassle. Instead of the expensive Fasturn set, I bought a plastic version at JoAnn's for about $5. It works very well and if you use a coupon, it's even cheaper. ------ 2009-113.25 yds 2010-115.5 2011-80.25+30+donated 2012 86.3 yds.. 2013 21.0 Everyone who sews seriously has a stockpile of fabrics, because it is natural to purchase more than can be sewn in any one season" Singer, Timesaving Sewing, 1987
unfinishedprojects   Advanced AB CANADA Member since 8/26/07 Posts: 522	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 8/24/12 10:50 AM Do you have any fabric left? I'd make the hidden part of the drawstring in some other fabric and just do the ends (that will show) out of scraps of the real fabric. Or use a piece of cording and put beads on the end.
marec   Intermediate OR USA Member since 5/11/08 Posts: 3545	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 8/24/12 11:07 AM I'd use a contrasting fabric, or dye some plain cording. I LOVE this pattern, especially the waist and back detail. Very chic. ------ my blog: http://kf-biblioblog.blogspot.com/ Sewing through my pattern stash-125 completed.
NhiHuynh   Advanced CA USA Member since 1/4/11 Posts: 593	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 8/24/12 11:08 AM There's already some great ideas for salvaging the drawstring. For future reference on turning a long tube, I have the opening in the middle of the tube instead of the end. So it's like I'm turning two smaller tubes instead of one super long one.
jadamo00 Advanced NY USA Member since 3/13/06 Posts: 1234	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 8/24/12 11:14 AM Oh, what a cutie top! Put elastic where the drawstring would go. If you have a scrap left from the fabric, you can turn a little tube and tack a "fake bow" on. Nhi, great idea: leaving the gap in the middle of the tube. Brilliant! j. -- Edited on 8/24/12 11:16 AM --
SouthernStitch   Advanced LA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 8182	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/24/12 12:34 PM AAHHH, thanks ladies!! Yes, I managed to get enough of the ends to turn, so I could use a different fabric for the part that won't show. What went wrong? For one, the tube is too long, even for the pattern, but I didn't want to cut it too short, especially since I placed the casing further down on the hip than the pattern called for. You fold a narrow strip in half lengthwise, then sew that with a 3/8 in seam, then trim. They show leaving an unstitched section to pull through. Even if you place that unstitched section toward the middle, the two ends are still too long! This being a thicker cotton, and a narrow tube, it's impossible to even stick a long skinny bodkin in there with say a hard string tied to the other end, and pull it back. The cotton has too much friction. Perhaps with a satin, yes, but not chambray! I have the Fast turn set, and the sticks just are not long enough. I used that for the ends, making new openings that would allow the fabric to fit on the fast turn stick. then tried to create another tube from there, picking and pulling, using some of those alligator clip end scissors looking things, lol. I picked and pulled too hard on some parts and ruined it. But, yeah, maybe I have enough turned ends to attach another fabric to those and pull that through the casing. Duh. It was late, I was tired and totally didn't think of that! I do like this pattern! ------ Bernina 730E, 530, and 350PE Singer 221 FW, 403a When life gives you green velvet curtains, make a green velvet dress.
solveg   Beginner MN USA Member since 2/16/12 Posts: 366	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 8/24/12 1:27 PM I was up at the cabin tying to insert elastic without a bodkin, and it wasn't easy. I went out and unscrewed the antennae of my car and used that. It was plenty long. But my fabric was pretty rugged, too, and there was plenty of room in the casing. -- Edited on 8/24/12 1:28 PM --

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