Spaghetti Tubing
First of all, you're going to want a turning tool for this.
You can pick one up in the notions section at the fabric store. They have a little hook friend at one end and a big loop at the other. Becuase you'll be needing to turn such a thin tube, you'll need something besides the basic "saftey pin trick". This thing makes it all much easier.
Okay, now that you have your turner, grab some bias tape you've prepared at either 1.5 inches or 2 inches, depending on what you want. My understanding is that the thicker the fabric, the bigger the tape. Or something.
Fold the bias strip in half, right sides facing
Sew 1/4 inch for thinner fabrics, 3/8 inch for thicker fabrics, away from the FOLDED edge
Cut an end at a sharp angle, but don't trim seam allowance
Insert turning tool into the uncut end of the bias and work it up to the angled end
Grab the outer angle with the hook
and work the little sharp-movey-guy (the Book calls it a latch. You choose your favorite term) through the fabric 1/4 inch from the end
Close the latch.
Place the loop over a conveneint anchor
And start working the fabric right side out
whew. aren't you glad you invested in a turning tool?
and that's it.
If you're making a tie or belt, you can knot the end and cut off any excess
2 comments:
Oh, my swear word. When I think of the hours I've spent turning tubes without this little jewel...
I did this...once : ) And without a hook thing too. Ugh! After that, I figured it was much easier (for me) and neater looking too (imo) to just take my strip, fold it in half with WSF, press, then open and fold the edges toward the center line, pressing them down as well.
Then you fold it all in half again and sew along the edge where the two sides meet. No turning required and the tube stays put with a neat finished edge. Sometimes I also sew a top stitch on the other side (the part that was the center of your strip) as well, depending on what I'm using it for. I do this frequently because I've been afraid to install zippers. Everything I've made has a draw string lol! I'm getting really good at drawstrings though : ) I need to go practice your sipper installation tutorial. I'm always cutting up clothing for re-purposing and I'm sure to save the zipper, knowing that one day I'll know how to install that crazy thing and I'll be so happy I have a pile of them in all sizes and colors!
Oh, one more tip for those who are lacking the nifty tool you featured here...you can slip a straw into your fabric tube, pushing it all the way to the end. Fold a little piece of the end of the fabric tube over the end of your straw so it's covered. Now take a slewer (I buy bags of wooden ones) and put it on that piece of fabric you've covered the tip of your straw with and start pushing the fabric down into the straw. Of course the bigger around your straw is, the better. The skewer pushes the fabric down through the straw and once you see it coming out the bottom, you just pull and it's now right-side-out. It works great, though maybe not as easily as this little tool. I do this when I'm making my small rag doll limbs because I never knew this nifty tool existed.
Loving your tutorials! I'm getting lots of ideas and inspiration from them. Thanks for sharing : )
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