Still working on that tie-dye top. It's almost finished except for the ties. The first four ties I serged but the serging didn't look too nice. Chalk it up to a user that doesn't maintain her serger well. Ever since I started working on fitting (about three years ago), the serger has been neglected somewhat. I'm certainly not going to think about ripping out a serged seam when tweaking fit on my projects. So, yeah, it does need a tuneup and a new knife.
Which leads me to my current problem. I cut four more ties. Skinny little things too. I hate turning ties. It's not even a tube so I can't use my Dritz-Prym tube turner. Getting frustrated at this point and might cut off the end of my tie just so I can use the tube turner. I can fringe the end or something. I've tried this tube turner before, probably didn't have enough patience for it and swore at the darn thing several times. I've hinted about getting a FAST TURN TUBE TURNER many times as a Christmas present. (Yeah, that's a big hint for the family VIP's that read my blog ;) !) It's one of those little devices that would save my sanity.
So, how do YOU turn your tubes/ties. This is my most hated chore in sewing. I often avoid it like the plague by serging but it's not working this time. Your methods/suggestions are most welcome.
6 comments:
Hi! Have you tried a chopstick?? "Real" ones work better than the throw-away wooden things...
HTH!! ;)
Rhonda in Montreal (PR)
Thanks, Rhonda. Yes, I did try something similar to a chopstick--a wooden skewer. No luck with it, a true pain in the a$$.
Try this...it should work with even really skinny tubes. First, on your serger with no fabric, run a chain of thread as long plus a few inches extra as the tube you want.Do not cut the chain from the serger. I know its a bit of waste of thread but...then place the tube of fabric you want to be serged under the serger foot (right sides togther) and lay the chain of thread inside the tube as you are serging it. You do not want to cut off the chain or serge into the chain so serge slowly and make adjustments as needed until you get the hang of it. Once you reach the end of the fabric you can remove everything from the serger and you should have a tail hanging out and the chain is enclosed in the tube. Gently pull on the tail of the chain and the tube of fabric will slowly work its way inside out and you should have a nicely turned tube.
Hope this helps! I got this tip from Sewing with Nancy ages ago and it works like a charm.
Nan
Sorry, re-read your post about your serger! You can certainly do this with a sewing machine too, just pull a long tail of both bobbin and top thread, no need to "chain" a length!
Nan
With great difficulty, to answer your question.
Kat, I have a Fasturn set that has really come in handyover the years. I've also tried Nan's method and had success.
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