ears.

I am almost done with my holiday apron for tie one on. despite what I said before I did end up making my own bias trim for this project. I didn't have any red trim on hand, but did have extra red fabric and thought "heck, I'll make it" and get all sewing old school. (not really "heck", but you know what I mean)

well, the additional steps of this effort added days to the project. I can't quite explain why. I am happy I made the bias trim because it's 100% cotton and it's not nearly as stiff as usual, especially because I zig-zag on the trim and that makes it even stiffer. Originally, I wanted to use a stripe for the trim so when cut on the bias, it would make a nifty candy cane stripey effect like here. very cool. but the 2 fabric stores I went to were out of red and white stripes (how can this be?) and also had no pre-made red bias trim. you may ask what kind of stores I was going to? they were fabric stores, I swear.

so, back to the bias trim. I don't make it very often (ever) and so I usually take a bit of time fiddling (nice word, but exchange for a swear word) with the angles before sewing it together right. so, I am making this crappy thing while talking to my mom, who is over, and the strips, while they lay out correctly are way off. WAY OFF. am I losing my mind?? no, my mom tells me,"you need to make sure it has ears." what the heck? (another swear word.) ears. like illustrated above. I feel like such a dork because I LOVE binding trim so much, how can I not know about this crucial detail? The thing is (my excuse anyway) is that when I make my binding for my quilts (which I do make, never buy) it's a simple straight strip. because there are no curves on a quilt (not in mine yet, anyway) there is no need to make the binding on the bias, but for an apron with curves (yes, curves)  it needs to be true bias binding. thanks mom!! so, now the binding is on and I will show it real soon. must add button holes. yes, button holes.

Comments

[Lizette]

Thanks Amy, I'm still smiling at this post..l mean laughing with it. Love it. I learned something new.

[Brandie]

hee hee. I am sewing challenged and fear making bias trim therefore am always in awe at those (you) who obviously know what your doing. love the theme for November, I just might kick myself into gear and participate. Can't wait to see your finished apron!

[hannah]

you swear in front of your mom?? wow. funny post, thanks for the illustrations. and HOT tip, of course quilts dont need bias strips!! brilliant. makes it seem even more possible to start a quilt. uh, maybe...

[amy k.]

ha! yes, I swear on front of my mom, she can out swear me any day of the week. she's got a real talent for swearing i can only hope to live up to with my daughters. really impressive and oddly creative actually. go mom!

[Lupine Swanson]

So, a little late, but do you know they make a handy tool for this. It is called a bias tape maker. It is a little silver thing from Clover that you just insert you long cut strip into (after they are all joined together with ears) and pull it through-having an iron on the side where the trim comes out to press it flat! They are pretty cool, come in different sizes and work wonders for that painful folding part.

[amy k.]

lupine-
oh! i do have this tool, and in all 3 sizes!! I used it will great success after all the swearing.

[Anamaria]

I just made my first buttonholes this weekend (with the help of my old Singer)--on a bonnet inspired by the one you posted last week. They work! I was so surprised.

And, if you're piecing a lot of triangles in a quilt, there's another neat little tool that tells you where to trim the "ears" so the patches line up perfectly (Judy Martin's Point Trimmer)--highly recommended!

[kelli]

I too have sewn on the binding of quilts but never even considered making my own for an apron. Very smart indeed -- especially as a way to use up bargain fabrics...

[hillary]

wh-huh? you're so lucky to have your very talented mom on hand for such pickles. can you send her over here for a while ;)

cannot wait to see this biased buttonholed apron!!

[speckledpup]

too funny, can't tell you how many times I've had to tell myself this same thing....
I'm constantly making my own bias strips.

Loved your mom's drawings.

[Chelle Jenkins]

Yep, I've made lots of bias strips, and I STILL have to carefully pin along each connecting seam and unfold them to make sure I'm doing it correctly.

So did your mom show you how to make a continuous strip, by sewing one seam and THEN cutting on the bias? I haven't tried that one yet, but there are lots of online instructions.

[amanda]

you just confused the hell out of me.
;)

[kelly]

Oooh, I just learned the coolest technique for cutting bias binding so that you don't need seams! If I remember I'll try to post instructions on my blog...

[Paisley]

I've just used these instructions for making continuous bias binding (I made 10 metres to bind a quilt!). I'd highly recommend them - adaptable to any width and length desired! Continuos Bias Tape

[Sooz]

Yay. My mum's the best swearer I know too. She taught me everything I know, and I'm pretty good at it!

[jessica]

Thanks so much for this post because I have been trying to piece triangles yesterday and was failing miserably. But all they needed were ears, and now that they have ears I'm a triangle piecing maniac!! Thanks!

[jessica]

okay, sorry about the grammar there... I WAS trying to piece triangles yesterday.

Sheesh!

[~Vicki]

The "continuous bias strip" method that's already been mentioned IS an amazing little piece of ingenuity and the amount of cut bias you get from a single square is astounding. Basically you sew up a bias "tube" that is marked and cut in one continuous strip. It's a little tricky the first time you do it, but then it goes faster once you get the technique down.

[Cassi]

This was very interesting reading for me; I think I am bias-tape challenged, although I haven't given it a try yet, I know I'll be referring back to your post when I do. Thanks for the insight!

[gkgirl]

oh my god...
i so wish i knew what you were talking about? heh.
i am a non-sew-er who so wants
to become a sew-er
and bought fabric to make an apron
but has no clue of how to go about it...
sigh...
but i love your blog anyway
:)

[claudia]

I love your notes/illustrations. I have a little notebook where I do the same. It's so helpful with my bad memory. Anyhow, I thought I'd suggest this site for another quick and easy to understand method for continuous bias tape, http://www.fabriclandwest.com/quilters%20corner/biasbinding.htm.

[Krissy]

I feel the same way about squirrels and nuts. I have knickknacks all over of those things and I am big on vintage pinecone motif's and autumn leaves, too!