Friday Fun Fact: Joining bias strips

It's time to join those bias strips!

Remember last week's fun fact? We showed you how to cut bias strips on the perfect 45 degree true bias. Now you've got a big pile of strips. What to do?

The first step is to join them into one continuous length.

If your ends are selvages or other straight-grain edges, they'll be on that perfect diagonal. Then you'll align them with right sides together and the short diagonal edges lined up.

But REMEMBER! You need to offset those short edges. See the little "ears" hanging off? You NEED those! That means your pieces are lined up at the seamline.

Now draw a line from one inside corner to the other. This is your stitch line.



Okay, all set? Stitch right on your line.



When you press that seam open, you'll have a lovely diagonal seam and perfectly aligned strips!



Okay, but...

What if your strips' ends are irregular, squared, or weird? You don't actually need that angle to set them up properly.

Overlap the strips, right sides together, at a 90 degree angle.

Now draw a line, from one inside corner to the other, just like the example above.

Stitch right on that line you drew!

You can trim the seam allowance down to 1/4" and cut off the "ears" before you press the seams open.



You can see the Friday Fun Fact archive here! There are loads of great tutorials and fun little tidbits! 


Coming soon: how to apply this bias tape!

We'll show you a single-fold method, double-fold method, and our favorite method for elegant necklines!

Treadlette Tuesday: Rebecca's State Fair makes!

It's Treadlette Tuesday, when we share projects, inspiration, and ideas for you from our lovely Treadle Yard Goods employees, The Treadlettes!

Have you checked out Rebecca's State Fair ribbon winning creations?



She made this gorgeous handsewn, hand embroidered doll from our wool felt! It earned her a third prize ribbon.

Her little goat was made from a Funky Friends Factory pattern and won a second prize ribbon!

Friday Fun Fact: Cutting Bias Strips!

We're making bias strips!!

Ok, first of all, why make your own bias tape? There are plenty of reasons! 

It's better - factory-made bias tape almost always uses crummy poly-blend fabric.

Variety! You can choose almost any fabric!

Make it custom - you can match or coordinate with your project and make any width you need.

It's FUN! We're all makers because of the joy of doing! Let's make some bias tape!

Here's what you'll need:

- Fabric! 1/2 yard or fat quarter
- Clear gridded quilter's ruler
- Rotary cutter and mat OR chalk wheel and scissor

First, let's establish the true 45 degree bias (learn more about that here).

Align the ruler's 45 degree line with the selvage.

Rotary cut along the ruler's edge (OR chalk mark and use a scissor).



Now you've got a little triangle. We don't need that. Set it aside or toss it.

Now use your ruler to measure the strips you want to cut. We already established the true bias so just keep the ruler along that diagonal.

Use your rotary cutter to cut your strips OR a chalk wheel and scissor.

That's it! Now you've got bias strips!

But what about...

How wide should the strips be? That depends on how you're going to use it. Generally, cut 1" for single-fold bias tape and 1 1/2" for double-fold. 

Single-fold or double-fold? That depends on your project! The main thing is: double-fold shows, single-fold hides.
Look for more next week!

How big a triangle to cut off when you start? You don't actually need to cut much off at all. You can be stingy and only cut a tiny triangle, but you'll have to make more seams. Cut off a bigger triangle if you want to avoid seams.

What about continuous bias? That's definitely an option! We'll talk about the pros and cons of this technique in an upcoming Friday Fun Fact.

Next time, we'll show you how to join your strips correctly and how to use the bias tape!

See all our Fun Facts and tutorials here on the blog! 

Treadlette Tuesday: Laura's Cardigan

 It's Treadlette Tuesday, when we share projects, inspiration, and ideas for you from our lovely Treadle Yard Goods employees, The Treadlettes!

Laura used a fabulous double-sided knit to make this lovely cardigan!

This fabric is so soft and cozy, this will be the perfect easy layer to slip on for fall. 

Laura used the Jalie Helene pattern - we love the easy elegance and the HUGE pockets! You can get the double-sided knit fabric here!

Friday Fun Fact: Fashion Week MN!

Next week is Fashion Week Minnesota! 

Not familiar? Here's the scoop from their website:

Fashion Week Minnesota is a media platform created in 2015 that celebrates, connects and inspires the local fashion community.

Our flagship event series, Spring Fashion Week and Fall Fashion Week, take place every April and September with a lineup of diverse, engaging events that include fashion shows, presentations, panel events and shopping events.

Fashion Week Minnesota’s year-round programming includes educational panel events, shopping events, and social media content that spotlights local fashion designers, makers and retailers.

Visit fashionweekmn.com for full details!

Treadlette Tuesday: Laura's Silk Dress

It's Treadlette Tuesday, when we share projects, inspiration, and ideas for you from our lovely Treadle Yard Goods employees, The Treadlettes!

Check out Laura's latest fancy occasion dress!

Sometimes we just want to dress up! Laura used Vogue 1842 with a few tweaks; she raised the V neckline a bit and opted to line the whole garment.

Friday Fun Fact: Presser Foot Pressure

Does your sewing machine have adjustable presser foot pressure? 

Not all machines can adjust how firmly the presser foot presses down, but if yours can, you should be taking advantage of it!

Where to find it: Look on the top or side of your machine. Don't confuse this with the tension dial! When in doubt, check your manual.

This Husqvarna has the presser foot pressure dial on the front of the machine. 

This Singer (center) has it on top.

This Bernina (bottom) has the dial on the side.

The higher the number, the stronger the pressure.

In general,
Heavy fabrics = less pressure
Light fabrics = more pressure 

When to adjust: 

- The fabric slips and slides away from under the foot (+ pressure)
- The fabric is not feeding and you have to push it through (- pressure)
- You're getting a "potato chip" edge on knits (- pressure)

Treadlette Tuesday: Marina's Gisele

It's Treadlette Tuesday, when we share projects, inspiration, and ideas for you from our lovely Treadle Yard Goods employees, The Treadlettes!

Check out Marina's Gisele blouse! She used Jalie Gisele 3905 and a super fun mystery fabric from her stash.

Once again, a full bust adjustment was key to Marina's success. Learn how to make this adjustment for yourself in our Best Bust Fit class! 

Friday Fun Fact: Preventing Lips

Today I'm talking about one of my personal pet peeves: when edges have lips.

If you've been in class with me, you've probably heard me expound on this quite a bit! Lippy edges happen on enclosed seams that haven't been fully turned before pressing.

See the photo below - the edge looks crisp, but examine it closely - there's the lips!!!

So how do we prevent this? Pressing a seam open before you turn your collar, cuff, or pocket is ideal, but often on those small pieces it's tricky or impossible.

The secret is simple: DAMP FINGERS. 

Use the squirt button on your iron or just dip your fingers in water. Don't use spit - apart from being frightfully unsanitary, you just aren't going to have enough moisture to make a difference.

Use your damp fingers to wiggle and roll the edge, making sure it's completely opened. You should be able to see the stitches.

When those lips are gone, finger-press, then press with your iron.

Check out the bottom pic - no lips in sight! This piece is ready for topstitching!