I want to sew bias tape to the edges of new terry washcloths. How do I go around the corners and finish the last corner? Martha W.,
e-mail
Use the same technique for adding binding to quilts to finish the edges of your washcloths. Purchase extra-wide, double-fold bias tape or cut 1 5/8"-wide bias strips long enough to wrap around the perimeter, plus 6".
Fold the end of the bias tape to the wrong side to form a diagonal fold and pin the bias-tape end to the middle of one side of the washcloth, with the tape raw edges even with the cloth edges. Starting and ending in the middle of the side will reduce the bulk and difficulty of trying to start and stop the binding at a corner. Sew using a 3/8" seam.
For square corners, stop stitching 3/8" from the corner; backstitch (2). Clip
the threads and remove from the machine.
Rotate the cloth 90°, and fold the binding strip up and then back down on itself, creating a fold even with the first edge. Align the binding raw edges with the next side. Begin stitching at the edge and sew to 3/8" from the next corner (3).
Repeat the corner folding sequence. Continue around the cloth in this manner until you're 2" from the beginning. Trim the excess binding leaving enough to completely overlap the beginning; complete the
stitching.
For curved corners, pin the bias around the corners easing in a little extra fullness. Sew with a continuous seam without starting and stopping at the corners.
Press the binding toward the seam allowance, then wrap it over the seam allowance to the underside,
turn in the raw edge and pin in place, just overlapping the previous stitching (forming miters at the
square corners on the back). Secure the remaining edge with a narrow, medium length zigzag along the
inner edge (4). The swing of the needle will overlap both sides of the binding and be less obvious than a straight stitch.
This information was current when published in the February issue of Sew News. No guarantee is made regarding availability. Stay up-to-date with current sources and information by subscribing today!
