Thin line
 

I am looking for suggestions on how to make a thin line of fabric. I'm doing an applique of birds sitting on a wire and I'm not sure how to make the "wire." I know I could just cut it and adhere it down and have a raw edge but I would like some other suggestions.
THanks so much in advance.

does it go edge to edge? if so, i'd cut the fabric and sew in a piece of black fabric. another suggestion... couch some black yarn or cording

Sew a thin piece of the line fabric (aprox 1/4 inch) to the 'sky' fabric. Iron it well, pressing towards the
'sky' fabric. Stitch a second piece of 'sky' fabric to the line fabric from the back side( ie so you can see the original stitching line). Stitch as close as you like. Open it out and iron again towards the 'sky' fabric. That should do it. The line fabric should be flat, as though you did a reverse applique.
Hope you got that!

you could use a 1/4" bias tape to sew or applique or if that is too wide use a narrow ribbon or cording and zigzag it on

Does it have to be fabric? If you want something that looks like wire how about embroidery. A stem stitch would give you the look of a wire.

That's what I was thinking too. You could even do it with your machine. I have used a 28 wt thread for spider webs and such in a wall hanging and it looked great.

Check the cording and trim section @ jo--anns. You should be able to find one that works for your project.

Good luck

Rat tail cord - a finer one - would also make an interesting wire.

That was my first thought. I've used rat tail and it's pretty easy to work with.

There is a product used for outlining stained glass pieces. I think it is called Lead Line and comes in different thicknesses.

I cut a narrow bias strip, turned the edges under and blanket stitched both edges using a narrower than usual stitch width.

Maybe piping?

QuiltnNan has 2 really good ideas here--both would also allow you to have some dip to the "wire" to make it more natural looking.

Remember soutash(sp?) braid? In the days we wore blouses with sailor collars, the braid did the single line around the collar. It was stitched in a ditch in the center and fairly easy to apply as I remember it. That would make a very fine line for skinny bird legs.

I like your idea of couching. It would also add some texture.

I like your idea of couching. It would also add some texture.

I took a class how to add 1/8 inch wide pieces to fabric. It's been a long time but the main thing I remember is to sew with the fabric to the right not the left of the needle. We made a square starting with a solid square and adding 1/8 to 3/4 inch border all around it to make a 6 inch square. I still have mine as a reference if I ever want to do it again.

Could you use a bit of trim? Ribbon, bias tape, ric rac? Or maybe fabric that doesn't fray, such as a strip of faux suede? Either do one row of stitching down the center or two lines down each side.

How about thread painting the wire?

I too, would either hand or machine embroidery the thin line to look like wire.

I remember using soutache. In fact, I've used it recently in some of the wearable art projects I've done. I didn't think about that. Good suggestion

Thats what I would do, or use piping or another skinny trim bty. Another options in a wide decorative or satin stitch and just skip the fabric.

For a really thin line, thread paint with 12 or 28 wt thread.

For larger, cut a strip 1/2" wide. Cut the sky fabric where you want the line. Sew the strip onto the sky fabric using less than 1/4" seam allowance. Press to the sky fabric. put the other piece of sky fabric onto the strip. With the strip side up, use the edge of the pressure foot to keep a consistant distance, stitch together using less than 1/4" seam allowance. Press the seam either way.

Here is how I was shown to make fine lines on fabric, using fabric. First you cut the black line approx 1/4 inch wide, then fold it in half lengthwise. Now take the right side and fold it into meet the center fold, and then take the left side and fold it into meet the center fold, both left and right side edges will now be in the middle of your 1/4" fabric.

Now stitch a basting line using black thread on your white background fabric where your want your black line to be, and set your right side of the folded black fabric along this stitching line so you can just barely see it with the left and right side opening on the right hand side. Open up your black fabric, and sew a stitching line down the original (Center) first fold, then return the right and left sides to their folded position (folded edges should be on your right) and now stitch on the right side to close that right edge - close to the black basted sewing line, then remove that original basting line. The strip of black line will be approx. 1/16" wide.[ATTACH=CONFIG]581744[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]581745[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]581746[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]581747[/ATTACH]

I made a clothes line quilt for one of my DGGD and I used embroidery thread in my DSM and I did a tight zig zag stitch that worked perfectly to hang the clothes on the clothes line.