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Member since 3/18/15
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Posted on: 12/23/15 12:33 PM ET
I'm a novice sewist, and for my very first project decided to make our West Highland terrier a proper tartan coat. I used a plain coat of his for a rough guide, and traced it for size.

My wife advised me to use a padded material for the inside lining, and I went with a plaid pattern for the outer part, using a red bias tape (single fold) as trim.

The results were only so-so, in my opinion. As you can probably see in the photo, it was tricky for me to keep the bias tape from slipping off of the other two materials, and even when it was all lined up, the thinner plaid fabric definitely moved under the sewing machine presser foot at a different rate; often causing it to bunch up.

I figure that a walking foot (dual feed) would help matters next time, but wanted to hear some opinions on the matter.



  
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Posted on: 12/23/15 1:03 PM ET
And, here is Walter, recently outfitted.
  
Member since 12/3/06
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Posted on: 12/23/15 1:16 PM ET
Walter looks pretty spiffy!

The problem may be due to the thickness of the fabric vs the narrow width of the binding.

You can make your own binding and apply it "quilt" style. There are many websites for learning. I prefer Jenny Doan @ Missouri Star Quilts, Fons and Porter or Alex Anderson.

JENNY IS MY CURRENT FAVORITE




-- Edited on 12/23/15 at 1:29 PM --
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OLD CHINESE PROVERB: I HEAR & I FORGET; I SEE & I REMEMBER; I DO & I UNDERSTAND.
  
Member since 7/22/15
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Posted on: 12/23/15 1:16 PM ET
In reply to Dantanamo
I don't know what type of machine you used, but would offer these suggestions:

1). Use an iron-on tape to adhere the bias to one side of the fabric "sandwich". Then food over, and use a walking foot to sew through both sides.

2). Open up the bias tape, and sew one side to the sandwich, raw edges together, along the bias fold. Then flip the tape around the sandwich edge and align the bias fold with the stitching. Either hand stitch, or edge stitch the bias. Again, a walking foot would help.

3. Use a binder attachment and sew in one step.
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Bernina 930 Record; Bernina790+; Bernina 635; Babylock Imagine; BabyLock Ovation; (2) Singer Featherweight 221; Baby Lock Pathfinder
  
Member since 3/18/15
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Posted on: 12/23/15 3:04 PM ET
In reply to sew forth 2
Sewforth;
Thanks for the suggestions. I'd actually tried your suggestion #3 via a binder foot attachment, but the material was too thick to keep it all together inside the foot.

So then I essentially used your #2 suggestion, by sewing one side of the bias tape first by opening it up and sewing in the crease, then ironing out and folding the rest over for a finishing stitch on the other side, but without a walking foot. Every time I'd remove a holding pin, the bias tape edge would creep up into my presser foot and I'd be off the edge. I'm using a Janome HD3000, which is a few months old.

Looks like I'll be getting a walking foot accessory soon.
  
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Posted on: 12/23/15 3:22 PM ET
In reply to Dantanamo
Just to add to the good suggestions you have had so far.

I use an adjustable bias binder foot like this on my Elna 720 ( high shank machine)
Your dog looks great in his coat
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Member since 7/22/15
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Posted on: 12/23/15 3:28 PM ET
In reply to Dantanamo
Without a walking foot, once the first side is stitched in place, use a fusible tape designed for bias tape application and carefully fuse the bias in place prior to stitching.

When using a binder attachment, prior to applying the binding, carefully sew around the sandwich edge with a narrow zig zag. This compresses the sandwich, making it easier to insert into the attachment. Make sure the stitches will be hidden under the bias. I do this even when I apply binding without the binder attachment. It keps the sandwich layers from shifting around, and allows them to feed more evenly.
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Bernina 930 Record; Bernina790+; Bernina 635; Babylock Imagine; BabyLock Ovation; (2) Singer Featherweight 221; Baby Lock Pathfinder
  
Member since 12/10/11
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Posted on: 12/23/15 3:45 PM ET
Your first effort at bias tape is a lot better than my first several were! And your dog is adorable.

If you're not going to use a binder foot (I've never been able to get these to work well for me, except on my coverstitch, which is a different machine than your sewing machine) you might try keeping your bias tape in place for sewing with Clover wonder clips, maybe in addition to the fusible. Also you might just try a wider bias tape.
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Posted on: 12/23/15 4:47 PM ET
I think your first effort is quite honorable and Walter is quite adorable. I really like the suggestion of sew forth 2. I think it will give you the best results as a beginner. I highly recommend making your own bias. You will find it is not difficult and will end up with a nice quality fabric than what you get in a pack of bias tape. There is lots on the web about making bias tape. It's not hard and we are here to help you along.
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Member since 5/28/11
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Posted on: 12/23/15 4:49 PM ET
I think you did a great job! Attaching bias tape takes some practice. To get a smoother finish, you might want to put it on like a quilt binding. I am not sure a walking foot would help as they are usually a wide foot.
  
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