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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: DorothyL
Date: 09-01-2004, 08:25 AM (1 of 8)
Here's what I want to do:
I'm making a pair of pants and top. The pants are a sage crepe and the top is a print with black and sage (there is white too, but that is irrelevant).
I have some plain black crepe the same weight as the sage.
I want to make a striped trim by sewing small strips of the black and sage crepe together. I figure about an inch wide with 1/4 inch seams will give me 1/2 inch stripes on the trim. Then I'll use the trim for a small lap in the side seams and at the pant bottom and for a flat piping at the neck of the top.
I want to cut the trim at an angle so the stripes are diagonal.
So, since I have never made a trim like this I wondered if anyone has suggestions, tips or hints to make it easier and make the trim look better.
Thanks, Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: MaryW
Date: 09-01-2004, 09:45 AM (2 of 8)
Your outfit sounds very nice. I am looking in my books to make sure how to do it but I would take some scrap fabric and experiment until I got it the way I wanted.

The piping sounds like a great idea.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: stitchmd
Date: 09-01-2004, 11:34 AM (3 of 8)
This project sounds beautiful. I think it will require the precision of quilt making.

For piecing the strips I think you need to be very accurate so that when the seams are pressed open the cut edges just meet. That way you will have a consistent two layers of fabric throughout. If you trim the allowances, or make the strips a different width, you'll have some areas of just one layer and it will be uneven in thickness.

I think it would be good to use a small stitch length, maybe even stitch each seam twice, so that when you cut it into strips the seams won't open near the cut edges.

As with any bias application it's best to steam the curves in before you attach it to the garment. Use the best section for the neck edge where it will show, flaws won't be noticeable at the sides or pants bottom.

Good luck, patience be with you.
User: stitchmd
Member since: 02-25-2003
Total posts: 226
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 09-01-2004, 07:22 PM (4 of 8)
Have you thought about making the trim Seminole style.. That would work everywhere except on the neckline , I don't think it would go around the curves very well, but it sure would look good on the pants..
Sew With Love
Libby
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002
Total posts: 2022
From: DorothyL
Date: 09-02-2004, 08:01 AM (5 of 8)
It has a wide neck, Libby, otherwise I wouldn't try this since all those tiny seams would make it hard to lay it flat. Not being a quilter I'm not sure what Seminole style is. I mean, I know what the finished project looks like (And I know what a Seminole Indian is), but not any special tricks. Remember around the neckline it will only be about 1/4 inch showing and on the pants the strip that shows will be about one inch wide so there isn't a lot of room for a fancy pattern in the patchwork. But if there is a way to eliminate the bulk of the tiny seams it would be great. Any help would be appreciated.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 09-02-2004, 07:42 PM (6 of 8)
No, I do not think seminole would be good for the neckline, but it would be pretty on the other parts you mentioned.. I'll try to find an example on the www for you to see.. :re: :re:
Sew With Love
Libby
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002
Total posts: 2022
From: shirleyp
Date: 09-03-2004, 01:20 AM (7 of 8)
I hope I will make sense. I sat and thought about the tiny seams. The bulk will be by the seams which could give it a rippled effect. If the seams were bigger would it lay nicer? Just thinking. Why don't you try a couple of pieces each way and see which one works better.
User: shirleyp
Member since: 02-12-2002
Total posts: 352
From: DorothyL
Date: 09-03-2004, 07:48 AM (8 of 8)
Yeah Shirley,
I will definately have to play around with it. My thought was if the seams are 1/4 inch and pressed open they would meet in the middle of the 1/2 inch stripe. But bulk will still be an issue and so will the lack of stretch at the neckline.
I thought of ironing the strips flat on very thin interfacing then zigzaging over them but I dont want zig zags to show and there is still no stretch.
I still have a little time to think about it because I have another shirt to finish first.
Now that shirt is another story. I bought some heat set pastels for fasbric and stenciled flowers on it. They look like a kid took a crayon to the shirt. There is one big one with a stem on one side and about five smaller, without stems, on the other side, all the same style stencil. I'm really happy with that one.
Lets hope the one with the striped trim is just a pleasing.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
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