Piping Sew Perfect

Piping Sew Perfect

Cut strip of fabric twice the width of desired piping plus the circumference of the cording.  You can use any firm cording of any size.  I'm using a polyester drapery cord that is 1/4 inch around.  I want 1/2 inch wide seam allowance so the fabric was cut  1 1/4 inch wide.  Preshrink cord if necessary.

Fold strip in half lengthwise wrong sides together and press.

Press 1/2" paper-backed fusible web to one side of the fold.

Remove paper.

Place the cord along the center fold.

Fold the side with the fusible web over the cording and press, pushing the cord toward the fold.  Protect the ironing surface with a teflon sheet, parchment paper or  release paper from fusible web.

Joining Piping

Cleanly cut an end on one piping strip to be joined.

 On other piping strip, pull the binding back 1 1/2 inches.

Turn under 1/4 inch.

Glue baste the under side of the folded edge to the back of the cut piping. Cut cording  evenly with the cut end of the first piping.

Fold the free edge of piping  over the other and glue baste.

Press the seam allowance against the cording.  

Use your cording foot to insert in the seam.  No unsightly basting stitching to show! I used this piping in a new design for the Jitter Bucket organizer pattern.

Georgia Manning Lewis

www.bucketsgonewild.com

Walker Tote Binding

Walker Tote

Brooke Robbins from missashcam sent an Etsy conversation on June 24, 2012.

Does this pattern use velcro to secure it? is it possible to make it without the bias tape? i am looking for a pattern to make a lot of them and donate them to local nursing homes so i like this pattern because it looks easy with no straps but the bias tape would be time consuming, thank you.

My reply:

This pattern does use Velcro to secure it.  It would be possible to make it without the double fold binding.  I do not use bias unless I have curves to bind.  Double fold binding on the straight edge is so much easier than bias.

You could easily make an envelope, layering the main fabric right side up, lining fabric right side down and then batting or fleece (omit if using upholstery fabric). Stitch a 1/2" seam, leaving an opening to turn inside out. Press and topstitch 1/4" around.  Sew on Velcro. Fold as marked on lines, and stitch on the side topstitching lines and down the center marked lines. 

If you need more detail, let me know.