Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Sewing Tutorial - turning thin tubes

I can't really remember who showed me this method of turning thin tubes of material - but it was probably my Mom - master seamstress that she is...
...it's really the simplest and fastest way I know of to turn tubes inside out...

...open up your tube and lay a ribbon (or strip of cloth) longer than the tube - in the center - then fold and stitch around the tube - making sure to stitch over the ribbon on one end and leaving the other end open...

...give the ribbon a little tug...

...you may have to 'help' the end to start it's travel up the inside of the tube - just poke it in...

...then continue to pull the tube inside out...

...soon the end will appear...

...you can either just snip the end of the ribbon off and leave it inside the tube - or you can open that end up with a seam ripper and take it out (that's what I normally do) - then turn the end back under and restitch...

...then top-stitch around the tube if desired...

...and, seriously, you'll have your tubes - or in this case vintage apron ties - done in about 5 minutes...

7 comments:

  1. This is such a smart idea--can't wait to try it!!!!

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  2. Anonymous10:47 AM

    Okay that's just ridiculously brilliant.

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  3. This. Is. Ingenious. Thank you so much.... this will save me hours!

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  4. Wow, wish I'd seen that years ago... that's a GREAT idea. I have definitely struggled with that in the past. Thanks so much!

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  5. Oh my, this is freaking genius! Do you know how much I have struggled with turning bag handles?! Thank you so much! *worship*

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  6. Oh wow!!! Very very clever!! Thanks for sharing the idea!
    lv,
    Joy

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  7. Hoje estamos voltando ao passado.
    Aprendi isso com a minha avó, fazem + ou - 40 anos...

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