Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
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: Butterflyrf71
Date: 06-01-2006, 08:26 PM (1 of 13)
|
It's been a few years, so I am rusty on some things, so I need some help. I am having a bugger of a time turning straps, drawstings, etc., inside out! The shirt pattern I am working on now has LONG straps, for tying around the neck. I trimmed the seams, notched everthing, and they are still really hard to turn inside out. This particular shirt has the fabric and the lining sewn face to face, then turned inside out. I've tried pulling through threads, safety pins, elastic, you name it. It took me an hour to pull through two straps. Suggestions? Did someone invent something since 1980's that I don't know about? LOL You Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm, and place their trust in you. Isaiah 26:3, AV
|
User: Butterflyrf71
Member since: 05-02-2006 Total posts: 257 
|
From: paroper
Date: 06-01-2006, 09:17 PM (2 of 13)
|
Absolutely! and they are wonderful products/time savers!!! The first looks like an old pair of ice tongs, the kind they used to move blocks of ice with. You run your tube open or closed onto one side, close the center and then flip it to the other side. I once turned all the pieces (240) to 80 bow ties in less than 30 min with one of these. Wish I owned the patent. It is great for med-large size products of various lengths! http://www.hancockfabrics.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=7852&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=turn The next candidate is great for spagetti staps and all kinds of open items. It is like a long wire with a hook on one end that self closes as you pull it and a loop on the other end to hold it. It is a great investment for around $4! It is very fast! http://www.hancockfabrics.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=16293&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=turn With these two products I haven't used the last one I'm going to tell you about much because I had them stored away and the others were so easy to use. I recently got a wall holder for these and I use them a whole lot more now. For some things they are very good. A lot of people swear by them! They are called a Fast Turn. Again. They work very well if you are dealing with closed end tubes. You run your tube on the metal tube and then grab the end with a twisted wire and pull it through the center of the tub inverting the tube. These come in several sizes and can be purchased in different size kits. https://www.nancysnotions.com/NNVia/viaImagePageTacony.jsp?row=0&pgName=viaListProducts.jsp&searchText=F1-STB&modifer=F1-STB&reqTitle=TITLE_VIASEARCHRESULT&stackTitle=&newWindow=Y There are several other types of turning notions out there. There is one that has a screw on the end. There is a set that comes with bamboo sticks and tubes and there is another that has some sort of wire attachment. I haven't used any of those so I can't recommend them. I'm sure that others have. I also keep a very thin but sturdy dowel rod handy for some projects. You can just reverse the end of your project and push it down on the rod. However, it isn't as easy and safe and many of those listed above. Of course, you can also use a needle and thread. Do a double thread with a knot in the end. loop your needle through the thread at the end. Take your needle through the project backwards then pull the thread to feed the project right side out. It works just fine. You already know about the old safety pin trick. Don't forget that you can also cord your project when doing this. You just sew the cord into the end on the outside. When you revers your project it ends up with a cord in the center. This is very good for spagetti straps as it gives them stability and dimension. 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: Butterflyrf71
Date: 06-02-2006, 07:17 AM (3 of 13)
|
Thank you so much - I am buying one of these today! I am working with closed ends - so I think I will try the Fast Turn first!
You Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm, and place their trust in you. Isaiah 26:3, AV
|
User: Butterflyrf71
Member since: 05-02-2006 Total posts: 257
|
From: bethm95
Date: 06-02-2006, 11:01 AM (4 of 13)
| I have the same problem when turning straps!!! I have used the long stick with the hook on it and all I managed to do was rip my fabric!!! I should get something else!! |
User: bethm95
Member since: 04-27-2004 Total posts: 16 
|
From: paroper
Date: 06-02-2006, 11:10 AM (5 of 13)
|
The wire one? If you are using that and it is fraying at the end, double the fabric at the end so that you have a very small fold and are hooking into two layers of fabric. If it is at the side, make sure that your strap edge isn't too close to the stitching line OR you may need to trim your seams a little because you are turning too much fabric inside the strap. You can also just fold your fabric in half and then fold both sides toward the center and stitch down both sides if your fabric is just too heavy to turn or has other issues like pique where the fabric is made of loose squares of thread.
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: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 06-02-2006, 11:56 AM (6 of 13)
|
Butterflyrf71 and Pam, I have the Fasturn set and I use it for open ends also.. I just overlap the ends when I insert the little sharp end and it works just fine.. I have had my set for years and years.. Before I got it, I had no luck turning.. I see Nancy Zieman using the ice tongs type all the time on TV now, but back then we had not seen that item around here.. Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
|
From: MrsSnuggly
Date: 06-02-2006, 12:04 PM (7 of 13)
That hook one works great for spaghetti straps but not so good with larger straps (rip). I had a time because I followed the seam allowance and my apron straps came out super thin. The goddess of sewing (ahem, my mother) said thats how they should look, but I had a terrible time turning them (reversible). Thanks so much for the info on other items! 
|
User: MrsSnuggly
Member since: 05-21-2006 Total posts: 104 |
From: Butterflyrf71
Date: 06-02-2006, 12:56 PM (8 of 13)
|
Paroper - as soon as I read your message around 7 am EST I went online and ordered the Fast Turn Set - I can't wait to get them! I also went ahead and bought the creative feet satin edge foot. I really wanted the recommended tube foot on Nacy's Notions - but my machine has the snap on feet. I can't wait to get my better machine (Grrrr). But I splurged today! You Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm, and place their trust in you. Isaiah 26:3, AV
|
User: Butterflyrf71
Member since: 05-02-2006 Total posts: 257
|
From: DorothyL
Date: 06-02-2006, 03:16 PM (9 of 13)
|
Butterfly -- I just finished using that satin stitch foot -- a lot. It helps. I don't think I would use it for applique, though. Maybe, if you don't have a lot of sharp turns. It is great for edging. It does the thinking for you. Let me know how it works for you. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Butterflyrf71
Date: 06-02-2006, 05:21 PM (10 of 13)
|
I bought it because I need some help with edgestitching really small drawstrings - and I hope this works! I can't wait to try it out! I can;t wait to see how many other things I can do with it. I already got the shipping notice for the Fasturn! Whoo hoo! You Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm, and place their trust in you. Isaiah 26:3, AV
|
User: Butterflyrf71
Member since: 05-02-2006 Total posts: 257
|
From: AndreaSews
Date: 06-03-2006, 09:40 PM (11 of 13)
 Andrea
|
User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
|
From: AndreaSews
Date: 06-03-2006, 09:42 PM (12 of 13)
|
Did you know that if you type text inside of brackets like these: > , < your text will not show up in your message? I just learned that. The missing text was that I was laughing at myself for my curiously old-fashioned ways.
Andrea
|
User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
|
From: Butterflyrf71
Date: 06-04-2006, 07:52 AM (13 of 13)
|
I am definitely not old fashioned, lol. I will do anything to make time go slower, or difficult tasks easier - as long as they work. Someone needs to slow down the weekends, especially. LOL. You Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm, and place their trust in you. Isaiah 26:3, AV
|
User: Butterflyrf71
Member since: 05-02-2006 Total posts: 257
|
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-19282.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft