Retail Details - Use home dec grommet tape for projects other than curtains

From our August 2003 Issue

Retail Details
Elizabeth Tisinger

Use home dec grommet tape for projects other than curtains.

Continued From Page 1


		Laundry Bag This large laundry bag will hold at least two loads of laundry--perfect for a new college student. If you don't have an embroidery machine, consider spelling out "Laundry" with iron-on letters or stenciling.

Materials

2 1/2 yards of durable, medium- to heavyweight fabric.

One package each of Hookless Qwik-Tach Tape and Flex-On Loops.

Polyester embroidery thread to match grommet tape.

4 yards of 1/2"-diameter rope or thick cording

All-purpose sewing thread to match bag fabric and grommet tape

Cut two 31 "x 39" rectangles and one 20 1/2"-diameter circle from the fabric.

Use lettering software or your machine's built-in lettering to program the word "Laundry." On one rectangle for the bag front, use an air-soluble marker to mark a line 10" from one short end. Hoop the bag front with tear-away stabilizer and embroider the design, centering the embroidery over the marked line. Remove the stabilizer.

With right sides together, pin the two rectangles together along both 39" edges. Sew each long edge with a 1/2" seam, then stitch again 1/8" away in the seam allowance. Zigzag or serge the seam allowances to prevent fraying.

Mark the perimeter of the fabric circle with eight equally spaced marks (fold the circle in half and continue folding for eight pie-shaped wedges to easily make these marks). Divide the bag lower edge into eight equal sections and mark. With right sides together, pin the fabric circle to the bag lower edge, matching the marks. If necessary, clip into the bag seam allowances to fit the circle. Stitch with a 1/2" seam allowance, then again, 1/8" away. Serge or zigzag the seam allowances.

Cut 61" of grommet tape centering the ends between the holes in the tape (1). Cut 61

Attach the tape, enclosing the bag upper raw edge in the seam allowances of the grommet tape, positioning the tape ends at one bag side seam. At the tape ends, turn under and overlap the tape seam allowances. Following the manufacturer's instructions, topstitch the tape to the bag, then topstitch the overlapping tape edges (2). At bag side seam, turn under tape ends and topstitch.

At bag side seam, turn under tape ends and topstitch.

The featured grommet tape has slits so you can easily open the tape and slip it over a curtain rod. Because the bag needs a drawstring threaded through the grommets, close the slits by satin stitching over them with thread matching the grommet tape.

Attach 12 grommets according to the manufacturer's instructions. Cut the rope into two equal lengths. Starting at a grommet nearest one side seam, thread a rope length through the grommets and tie the ends in a knot. Start at the opposite side seam and thread the remaining rope length through the grommets and knot the ends (3). Pull both rope ends to draw up and carry the bag. Thread ropes from opposite ends and tie.

Thread ropes from opposite ends and tie.

SOURCES

Instant CurtainTape from Textol Systems Inc. can be found at your local Hancock Fabrics store. Visit www.hancockfabrics.com for nearest store.

Hookless Attachment System Qwik-Tach Tape and Flex-On Loops are available at your local fabric retailer or directly from the McCall Pattern Co., (800) 255-2762, ext. 397, www.mccallpattern.com. Canadian residents, call (905) 666-3066.


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