If I want the fabric to end up right side facing out, and I don't turn the narrow tube of fabric?????

I also sew my bias strips wrong side together, then insert the "strip" (mine happens to be metal) and press seam to center. If you sew the bias strips right side together, you would have to turn it inside out, which would be difficult if the strips were very narrow. Thats just what works for me.

Phyllis

Wow! Thanks everybody! think I have made my decision. Off to lqs for the flat metal or plastic strips. seems like the easiest way to handle. Also, I have beenironing, then basting my butcher paper to fabric pieces. Watched a tute using liquid starch, artist paint brush and mini iron.. How simple and FAST is THAT????? no more basting and sore finger for me. Now. just have to wtch that hot little iron and fingers. Thanks again. y'all are G-R-E-A-T :lol: :lol: :lol:

this is the easiest method. If they are on the true bias they bend around a curve just great....remember inter curve first and then outer curve

Got ot Lind R! Thanks! INNER curve first.....

OOPS, shame on me IT is wrong side together and right side facing you. Sorry. My first quote was right. My second one was wrong. Marge

Yes, because you DON'T TURN the piece. You trim the seam allowance to practically nothing and press it open, flattening the stem so the seam is on the BACK of the applique piece. You stitch it down on either side. Hope that makes sense.

:shock: Well, I guess I learned something. Because I did sew rightside together, & turned them. Then used the bias bars to press flat with seam in the middle. Also even though they were bias strips I had to dampen them to get a smooth curve but I was shapeing them into the pink ribbon (cancer awareness) symbol, and they just wouldn't curve smoothly & be flat withour dampening & then pressing in shape. But I got it done. Turned out great too. Then I appliqued them down. Still got enought to add to another full quilt, :lol:

I cut my bias a lot wider than required for the finished stem. I use those white plastic strips that are used to bundle items together and have a slot at the end to tighten. Clip off that sloted end, the other end is slightly pointed. (Sorry, I don't know the techincal name but know they are lot cheaper than the bias bars. They also cool quicker than the metal.)

Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, use your cording or zipper foot and stitch along the edge of the white strip - really crowd the strip and slip the strip along the entire length of bias as you stitch. Before removing the strip, trim very closely to the sewn line. Owing to the crowding of the strip, wiggle the seam to the underside with the plastic strip still inside, sliding it along until the entire strip is pressed; and finally remove. You may also use a spritz of sizing to dampen before pressing, I do as it give a crisp edge. -- This even works with long, long strips for stems that may have to be seamed together.

PS: I prefer sizing, as spray starch leaves a white residue.

Suzanne

Thanks! all good information I'm gathering. I did buy the BIAS STRIPS and they seem to work well. I just need to use ziper foot to get REALLY close to edge of bar. Thanks for tip on sizing vs starch. The quilt wil be washed and dried before giving it away so does it really matter which I use???