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From: abcameo
Date: 12-28-2005, 06:46 PM (1 of 7)
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I'm trying to make some same-fabric bias cut tape for a top I'm creating. I've got a gadget that is supposed to automatically fold the tape properly, and that seems to be working fine. However, following the instructions, when I go to iron the fabric as I'm pulling the gadget along, the folds aren't staying put nicely. I've tried using my finger to gently hold the folded creases in place when I saw just using the gadget and the iron didn't work. The fabric is a satin-like material (can't remember if it's a heavy lining or not). No matter what I've tried, the folds aren't holding, and as I move along, they open up and I inevitably end up steaming one or the other side open. I've tried steam, no steam, ironing and "pressing," but nothing is keeping BOTH folds down at the same time. Advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Amy |
User: abcameo
Member since: 11-02-2004 Total posts: 131 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 12-28-2005, 09:36 PM (2 of 7)
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Try a small 'hobby' iron...Clover (the company who makes the bias tape gadgets) makes a small one and I have one thats actually a 'hobby' iron. Bigger than the Clover, but small enough to make bias tape. Or if you NEED to use the big iron. Put it on a cooler setting. Start the bias, put the iron on the ironing board on TOP of the tape and pull UNDER the iron. That way you can control BOTH ends with both hands. Also putting the bias ADHESIVE under the folds will hlep hold them. (and also make it easier to sew/iron them to a garment, etc. Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: abcameo
Date: 12-28-2005, 09:58 PM (3 of 7)
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Ooh--good ideas! Thank you. While waiting for a reply, I browsed one of my favorite reference books on this topic (Vogue/Butterick Step-by-Step Sewing Techniques). They also showed doubled bias tape method which seemed quite easy--just fold & iron the fabric in half and attach the raw edges RS tog. with the blouse. Turn and stitch down by hand in back. I basted my tape on to try this technique, but I realized I need to make my tape thicker for it to work. Now I've got the two options to try. Amy |
User: abcameo
Member since: 11-02-2004 Total posts: 131 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 12-28-2005, 10:32 PM (4 of 7)
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Amy if you use the Butterick-Vogue technique for bias bindings, you will need to cut the fabric twice as wide so you can fold it twice to come out with the same size as when you use a single fold. It's called double wide bias binding. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: abcameo
Date: 12-29-2005, 01:37 AM (5 of 7)
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Patsy: Thank you--I did see that, so I made my binding 2" instead of 1". I completed the top. It looks pretty good. I was very excited to have made the self-fabric bias tape, that was a first time for me on that technique. The front neckline has a modified U-neck--lower than a silky tee-shirt style blouse, for instance. I'm wondering, was opting to do a bias tape around this shape neckline a good choice? I love the way the satiny fabric looks against the print of the blouse (the fabric has bronze glitter in it!) I've pressed the binding/neck on a ham to keep the curve but, because the "U" is deep, it seems to be flaring out ever-so-slightly at the top of the binding. It's acceptable, I think, but I know there's probably a technique out there that could have helped me in this situation, if only I knew what...  Amy |
User: abcameo
Member since: 11-02-2004 Total posts: 131 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 12-29-2005, 08:09 PM (6 of 7)
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Another bias binding tip for next time. I too went insane with my bias "tape maker." It was touted like some kind of miracle device, and I was disappointed when I tried to press it and it popped open right way. I turned the little doo-dah upside down, so that the raw edges faced the ironing board instead of facing up as shown in the package illustration. Then, I followed with the iron _very_ closely! I think on a scrap of (damp?)flannel it might even work better, too, b/c the flannel would sort of grab the raw edges and hang on to them until the iron got there.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: mscotton
Date: 12-29-2005, 08:57 PM (7 of 7)
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Hi, excuse me for popping in like this. Several years ago I saw Kaye Wood demonstrate how to make bias binding for quilts using safety pins. You pin them to your ironing board about 10 inches apart. You fold your fabric the way you want it and then it just slides through. This is not a good explanation. Maybe she has it on her site. I would think the pins with your gadget would work really nicely.
Candy
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User: mscotton
Member since: 08-14-2001 Total posts: 5 |
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