May I ask for advice on making my bias stems for Flower Pots? Do most of you use Clover bias makers? Pressing bars? A different tool? I can find a lot of information on the internet but prefer to learn from the experts on Glorious Applique.
Thanks in advance for the help.
I use the Clover bias makers. I spray starch the piece of fabric I am going to use then cut the bias strip the appropriate width. I run it through the bias maker and the starch makes a sharp, permanent crease. Love them. I have used the bias bars in the past but the stem is bulky from the seam allowance underneath.
ReplyDeleteI used the Clover Bias Maker for the first time and am a convert. I have used the bias bars in the past and they are a LOT more work.
ReplyDeleteI have always used clover bias makers to make stems. I don't usually starch them but use plenty of steam. I use to use them with the vlisofix tape but now I don't bother because I found they lifted when you handled the block too much I now just attach with pins or glue
ReplyDeleteI use the Clover bias maker too, usually I make a lot of it and then wind them on an empty fax roll or an empty cling film roll, it does keep the fold this way. I've used bias bars in the past, but its a lot of work! KIm McL
ReplyDeleteI have used bias makers and bias bars and don't like either of them. For this Roseville album I just got a large needle, pinned it into my ironing board cover both ends and pulled my fabric strip under the pin...it is very hard to explain without pictures, I will try and get some photo's up to show how i do it. I have found this method to be very successful. Cathy xo
ReplyDeleteI use clover quick bias (fusible bias), Cut, iron and then stitch. The example is in my posting. There are 11 yards in one reel and consist of several colors...
ReplyDeletei saw the method cathy suggests on fons and porter one day...just amazed me. haven't tried it yet, but found this set of directions: http://creativelittledaisy.typepad.com/creative_little_daisy/2007/11/diy-version-of.html might be able to find it on youtube, too.
ReplyDeleteI use Perfect Stems, and prefer this method over any others I have tried. I have used the Clover bias tape maker. Bias bars. The cut away technique too. When I make bias stems, I am usually making miles of it and will roll it onto a tube until I need it.
ReplyDeleteI use the clover bias tape makers. After preparing the bias strips I attach a 1/4 inch fusible strip to the back and iron in place. I found that the fusible 1) helps keep the bias strip down and in place - it can be reattached and ironed down if need be and 2) when doing curvy items i.e. basket handles, I find that the fusible somehow pulls in/shrinks the bias strip so that my curves, no matter how tight, no longer have bulges in them. Hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteTerry in So. Calif.
I've used Clover, the light green color (Art No. 4011) for the Flower Pots stem. I cut my bias 1/2" then spray starched before I inserted the bias through the Clover maker. Then I pull the 1/2" bias, following with hot iron really close. It will not open. In case it got folded or crooked you can re spray and do it again... Works everytime!
ReplyDeleteI've always used the pressing bars, but after reading all of the comments decided to try clover biais tape makers next time i need them. Thanks for expanding my horizon.
ReplyDeleteI've used both the bars and the tape makers. Years ago I used the bias bars for making basket handles--and enjoyed the seam allowance you get with the bars because I machine stitched down (to the block) one side of the handle along the seam allowance, then flipped it over and handstitched the other side of the handle. Really sped things up. But don't know that I would want to do it with narrower bias--these were at least 1/2 or more. It's a quick way to attach the bias if you aren't worried about the quilt police. ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you everybody! These comments are all hugely helpful. A Clover bias maker it is, probably with some starch. But I went to the web site suggested by Eileen and that is tempting too--I am not good with gadgets. Cathy, if a pin on an ironing board works for you, that's a hearty recommendation.
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful to all of you for the help.
I have tried all the gadgets for making vines...but a lady got me started doing it this way and to me it seems the easiest. You take your strip of fabric...hold it in your left hand (if you are right handed) ...flip just a bit of it in 3rds while holding with your fingers and just take a quick long basting stitch....and keep moving it along from left to right..folding and stitching some more and pulling it off to the right while you go along. To me it's so much faster than trying to use the Clover thing and burn your fingers with the iron. I probably have made a zillion miles of vines this way. I don't even have to press it as I sorta finger press it while going along. It lays SO nice and flat. Elaine
ReplyDeleteElaine, That's a new one! It sounds like you would need a 3rd hand but you make it seem worth a trial. Thanks for the help. Lee
ReplyDelete