Tablemats and birthing method
#11
This is what I do and it seems as if the opening closes better there and I the quilting will hide some if it isn't perfect.
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Posts: 4,299
I love that stuff! I use it when joining binding, I found a "cheater" method online that works very well for me. No more too-tight or too-baggy binding for me!
#14
Whenever I birth a potholder, place mat or similar items I always slip stitch the opening closed by hand after it is turned and before it is top stitched. You can do it without the stitches even showing by using a fine needle to get little stitches and using the fold to run your thread along. It makes the top stitching easier to do and overall just looks nicer I think. I recently gave some microwave bowls and potholders to a friend and she kept going around and around the edge to figure out how I made them as she couldn't find the area where I had turned them. I don't use my walking foot to top stitch the edge because it doesn't like it when I am stitching close to an edge and only a small part of the walking foot is on the fabric.
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,018
You are getting that bit of pucker probably because the fabrics are being stretched as you squeeze the whole thing out of that little opening.....try leaving a bigger open section for turning out......after I've turned out, I iron down that edge all around...folding under that open seam and the steam will tighten it up if there is a pucker.....just a hint....
#17
#18
Paper Princess and Quiltmouse have the right ideas. When I use the birthing method I always let the top go just a smidge over, we're talking tiny amount and it works perfectly. Another tricky time is when you are doing circles using the birthing method, such as coasters. I used to screw these up regularly until I found that if I cut them out on the bias there was just enough give to allow me to make a nice smooth closure without puckers.
#20
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Essex, UK
Posts: 252
Thanks for so many great suggestions! I have 4 more sets of placemats ready to birth, so I think I will have a go at all of these methods! I picked up some wonder tape today, so will try that next!
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wildyard
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03-09-2013 11:43 AM