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From: joni lowe
Date: 08-25-2005, 05:17 PM (1 of 17)
Hi all, I am attempting to make some cushions for the patio furniture. I am making little straps to sew into the corners for tying to chairs. One end of the strap is open, the other is sewn shut. I have one of those little turny things, you know, the long metal stick with the head on it with a little hook. I seem to be having a dickens of a time getting the darn thing started. Once it does go, it's pretty smooth, it's just the getting it started that is throwing me. Any advice? Thanks, Joni 
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User: joni lowe
Member since: 03-29-2005 Total posts: 75 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 08-25-2005, 07:14 PM (2 of 17)
| I haven't used mine in awhile but here goes. Run the metal tube up through the strap, fold over a piece of the end of the strap, run the your wire up through the tube & poke it through the material that's over the tube, twist the squiggly end that's now sticking out of your material & starting off gently pull the material back through the tube. If it doesn't hold onto the material turn the squiggly thing the other way & it will catch & pull through. Now, do I have you really confused ? Hope not. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: AndreaSews
Date: 08-25-2005, 07:16 PM (3 of 17)
You've just desscribed my experiences with speghetti straps exactly! It depends on the fabric, too. Some are harder than others. I have done well with trimming the seam allowance closely, at least in the first 1/2 inch, where you start to turn it. That helps. Yes, starting it is the hard part. When I read your use for them, remembering the time I had making them, I thought, oh, couldn't you use some grosgrain ribbon instead??  But it's a worthy challenge. Keep it up. They'll get done!
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: joni lowe
Date: 08-25-2005, 08:23 PM (4 of 17)
beachgirl, yes now I am confused. I think we may be talking about two different tools. Mine is just a rod with a hook on the end. Andrea, I am winning, slowly but surely. It has taken me all ^#$%%#@ day to turn (get this) 6. But on the bright side, only two to go 
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User: joni lowe
Member since: 03-29-2005 Total posts: 75 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 08-25-2005, 10:19 PM (5 of 17)
| I am so sorry. Ithought you were talking about the Fasturn tube turners. I think I have what you do also. I have at least 3 different turners. Mine has a circle ring on one end, a long straight metal & on the tip a small hook with a piece that swings back & forth. Does that sound like yours ? If so I'll make a small tube & then try to explain how to work it. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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From: Debby215
Date: 08-26-2005, 12:01 AM (6 of 17)
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I don't know if this makes sense or not, but I have made lots of aprons,,,,to sell at craft shows and I got soooooooo tired of turning the ties. I started just pressing in the seam allowances and then folding the strips in half, then sew it up. voila`, NO MORE TURNING. Hope this was easy to understand. It makes sewing those straps so much easier.
Debby
So much fabric....... So little time!! |
User: Debby215
Member since: 11-14-2001 Total posts: 611 
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From: paroper
Date: 08-26-2005, 01:24 AM (7 of 17)
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I agree with Debby 100%. The ties seem stronger too if they are sewn on the outside. The little turner you are using is one of my favorites but it works SO MUCH BETTER if the tube is not closed on the end. you just reach up, grab the raw end with the hook and pull it inside itself...works great!!! If I were going to use that particular turner on this project...and not use Debby's idea, I would not sew the end of the fabric. When I got through I'd tie a knot in the end...works just fine and it is not unsightly. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: joni lowe
Date: 08-26-2005, 11:51 AM (8 of 17)
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Great idea Debbie, I have since finished the darned straps, but your suggestion will be filed away for future projects. Thanks all, Joni
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User: joni lowe
Member since: 03-29-2005 Total posts: 75 |
From: joni lowe
Date: 08-27-2005, 11:00 PM (9 of 17)
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Bad news. I must have had some sort of mathematical brain fart when calculating just how many of these darn straps I would need. I ended up having to make SEVERAL more. I have also since learned that this particular tool is called a "loop turner". It is indeed the metal rod with a circle on one end, and a hook with a latch at the other. What exactly is the purpose of the "latch"? It almost seems as though the tool would be more efficient without... the latch. Am I just a buffoon?
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User: joni lowe
Member since: 03-29-2005 Total posts: 75 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 08-28-2005, 12:20 AM (10 of 17)
| It's suppose to hook onto the end of the material. I haven't used it in a long time . I do remember I had to play with it awhile but it did turn the straps. I might still have the directions here somewhere. I have the Fasturn set & do like those. Also have some different size tubes that have stiff plastic sticks that turns material right side out also. They work good as long as the tubes of material aren't real long. Got those at Jo Ann's. I also use the old tried & true sewing on some string on the end of the fabric & pulling it through to turn narrow tubes. Just need a big eye needle like a darning needle. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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From: paroper
Date: 08-28-2005, 08:17 AM (11 of 17)
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It is two fold. When you pull your strap inside itself the little latch closes. It keeps the hooked fabric from coming loose when you hit little "snags". It also keeps the hook from catching on loose thread and fabric as it is pulled through. I have a whole set of Fastturns and I've never even used them. I really like this one and there is another that reminds me of the old ice tongs that were used to pick up large blocks of ice. You can use them on boxed in things to turn them, but they are too large for spagetti straps. They run around $10 before any discounts. If you get them during a Hancocks sale..... You run the boxed in portion wrong side out on one side of the "tong" then you close the tong on the opening and reverse the fabric onto the other side. They are VERY convenient. You can also string like kitestring about twice the length of your project. Ttie a knot in the middle and sew it into the end of the tie. Place the knot above your tie and lay the kite string inside the tie as you sew (usually near the fold so you don't catch it as you sew down.) Then after you sew up the end and side, you pull the kite string and it will turn the strap for you. After you pull the string through, you cut the string at the seam in the end of the tie and pull it out. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 08-28-2005, 09:36 AM (12 of 17)
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I find the string thing works as well for me as any of those tools. But anytime the strap is wide enough I just turn under the edges and sew on the outside. If one end is to be sewn shut just do that wrong sides together and sew down about an inch, turn that and fold under the rest, as Pam instructed. I find turning long strips one of the most frustrating things in sewing. It gives me stress and cramps my hands. Good luck. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: SummersEchos
Date: 08-28-2005, 11:20 AM (13 of 17)
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Thats how I do it, with the string.
Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 08-30-2005, 05:56 AM (14 of 17)
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I use both the string and the loop thingey. But I really have to be careful with the string cause its a real nuisance when you catch it in the seam.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: HeyJudee
Date: 08-30-2005, 10:49 AM (15 of 17)
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If the strap is not too small, this may work. I have seen Eleanor Burns on Quilt in a Day use one of the larger size straws and a wooden stick, e.g for shiskabobs (spelling?) to turn long thin pieces for flower stems, etc. She would sew the seam and end on the stem, then run the straw up the inside and use the stick to push the end down through the straw. It seemed to work well to turn it. Haven't tried it yet, but I have a straw and stick set aside for when I have to do something like this.
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 08-30-2005, 05:32 PM (16 of 17)
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I saw a hint once (long ago) about turning spaghetti straps with the Fasturn (that is what I have) and the hint was, to make sure when you start pulling it to the right side , make sure that your seam is opened going into the inside of the tube.. This makes a much smoother , neater finished strap.. It only takes a second or two to insure it starts right, it will stay after being started..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Longblades
Date: 08-31-2005, 10:50 AM (17 of 17)
| I had no idea you could buy such a tool. I've been using a long bobby pin. |
User: Longblades
Member since: 07-14-2005 Total posts: 182 |
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