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Need ideas/recommendations for making bias tape from mid-weight fabric and applying to curves (Moderated by Deepika)
Posted on: 11/4/08 11:09 PM ET
Dear friends,
I've been sewing for several years now, and have only recently entered the world of bias tape!
I am sewing a very special child carrier with a 9oz./sq.yd. twill (though it feels lighter - the weave isn't tight; the fabric is flow-y), and wanted to apply double fold bias tape binding made with the same fabric (but in a contrasting colour). Would it be practical to make bias tape from such thick fabric?
Also, I want to apply a circular pocket to the carrier, and want to bind that as well. The pocket is 10.5" in diameter. What size double fold bias tape should I make for such an application? Any tips on how to make the application easier to do given the thicker/heavier tape?
Thanks, and I'm really looking forward to your responses. :)
I've been sewing for several years now, and have only recently entered the world of bias tape!
I am sewing a very special child carrier with a 9oz./sq.yd. twill (though it feels lighter - the weave isn't tight; the fabric is flow-y), and wanted to apply double fold bias tape binding made with the same fabric (but in a contrasting colour). Would it be practical to make bias tape from such thick fabric?
Also, I want to apply a circular pocket to the carrier, and want to bind that as well. The pocket is 10.5" in diameter. What size double fold bias tape should I make for such an application? Any tips on how to make the application easier to do given the thicker/heavier tape?
Thanks, and I'm really looking forward to your responses. :)
Posted on: 11/5/08 10:42 AM ET
In reply to sianac
Hi sianac - I have been sewing for 40 years and only recently discovered bias tape! There is a tutorial here that is using twill and one here on how to do it without the little tool that most people use. My limited experience tells me that if you use thicker fabric, you need to make the tape wider to make it manageable. I've made a few bibs with bias tape now and though I can't quite get that nice line with just one line of stitching showing, I have been pleased with the results in general and it is fun to have more colour choices that you get by making your own - not to mention not having to make those dangerous trips to the fabric store than have a tendency to increase one's stash!
Have fun!
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Have fun!

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http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
Posted on: 11/5/08 9:14 PM ET
In reply to tourist
WOW! I love the bias tape tutorial and then I followed a link to the purse handles. THANKS - I love it. Learning great new tricks is so much fun.
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"I am still learning" ~ Michelangelo
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I finally have a blog!
You can visit it at
www.zigzagthesewingrag.blogspot.com
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I finally have a blog!
You can visit it at
www.zigzagthesewingrag.blogspot.com
Posted on: 11/6/08 0:00 AM ET
In reply to sianac
>>Would it be practical to make bias tape from such thick fabric?
One question you need to consider is, can your sewing machine handle this many thick layers? I'd do a quick sample (using the fabric you have) to test. This will tell you if your SM can handle the bulk, plus it will also tell you if using thick bias binding will work on your project or not. HTH
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One question you need to consider is, can your sewing machine handle this many thick layers? I'd do a quick sample (using the fabric you have) to test. This will tell you if your SM can handle the bulk, plus it will also tell you if using thick bias binding will work on your project or not. HTH
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Belinda. Melbourne, Australia
http://sew-4-fun.blogspot.com/
http://sew-4-fun.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 11/9/08 5:08 PM ET
In reply to sianac
Here's a little trick for applying bias tape that I picked-up on one of the boards here just before I was doing a little sunsuit for my great-niece last spring--'Twas a timely trick considering the top of the sunsuit was almost circular and all edges were bound with that teeny, tiny little narrow double-fold and I modified the method just a bit to make it even easier--
First I ran a basting stitch around all edges to be bound using fusible thread in both the top and the bobbin and stitching a scant 1/8" from the raw edge--(If using wider tape, you can run this row a bit farther from the edge, ie. if you're using half-inch tape, I'd make this row of stitching about 1/4" from the edge)--It dragged a little bit coming through the machine and made significant squeeling sounds as I stitched, but it worked OK--When finished, there were a few places where the stitching was just a bit tight and the edge curled and wouldn't lie flat and in those spots I just broke the bobbin thread with a seam ripper and smoothed it flat with my fingers--
With that in place, I could apply the bias tape all the way around all of the curves in it's folded state by just slipping the folded tape over the edge and fusing it in place--After that, it was an easy thing to sew the tape in place with a single row of stitching from the right side--
I found it infinitely easier to get the tape on absolutely smoothly around all of the curves using this method because I didn't have to curve it along the "inside curve" and then fold it over and ease it out over the "outside" curve" to the other side (or vice-versa)--And keeping my stitching even and right at the edge of the tape was a snap when I didn't have to be removing pins or keep checking to be sure it was staying smooth as I went--
This might not work well with all fabrics, but for most applications, it works like a dream for me--C
First I ran a basting stitch around all edges to be bound using fusible thread in both the top and the bobbin and stitching a scant 1/8" from the raw edge--(If using wider tape, you can run this row a bit farther from the edge, ie. if you're using half-inch tape, I'd make this row of stitching about 1/4" from the edge)--It dragged a little bit coming through the machine and made significant squeeling sounds as I stitched, but it worked OK--When finished, there were a few places where the stitching was just a bit tight and the edge curled and wouldn't lie flat and in those spots I just broke the bobbin thread with a seam ripper and smoothed it flat with my fingers--
With that in place, I could apply the bias tape all the way around all of the curves in it's folded state by just slipping the folded tape over the edge and fusing it in place--After that, it was an easy thing to sew the tape in place with a single row of stitching from the right side--
I found it infinitely easier to get the tape on absolutely smoothly around all of the curves using this method because I didn't have to curve it along the "inside curve" and then fold it over and ease it out over the "outside" curve" to the other side (or vice-versa)--And keeping my stitching even and right at the edge of the tape was a snap when I didn't have to be removing pins or keep checking to be sure it was staying smooth as I went--
This might not work well with all fabrics, but for most applications, it works like a dream for me--C
Posted on: 6/11/13 11:31 PM ET
Bump
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Each fallen petal reveals a life pollinated by a colony
and nurtured by The Master Gardener.
and nurtured by The Master Gardener.
Posted on: 6/12/13 8:39 AM ET
I recently made a sewing machine cover out of 9 oz. twill and made bias and piping for it out of the same fabric.
It came out really nice; no problems with the heavy material either sewing it or making the trim with the bias tip.
I just starched it well with Best Press.
One note, however, if you can make your bias without seams it will go a lot easier. I had one seam in mine and the bias tip didn't like it so I had to help it along.
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It came out really nice; no problems with the heavy material either sewing it or making the trim with the bias tip.
I just starched it well with Best Press.
One note, however, if you can make your bias without seams it will go a lot easier. I had one seam in mine and the bias tip didn't like it so I had to help it along.
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Linda
Bernina 830LE - Brother Dreamweaver VQ3000 - Bernina B-770QE - Janome 6600P - Pfaff 1209 - Babylock Evolution - Babylock Sashiko2 - Babylock BLCS-2
Bernina 830LE - Brother Dreamweaver VQ3000 - Bernina B-770QE - Janome 6600P - Pfaff 1209 - Babylock Evolution - Babylock Sashiko2 - Babylock BLCS-2
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