Jacket project question.....what to bind with?

[freemotion]

OK, I didn't put it in the dryer as it is thick, felted, and the perfect size for a jacket for me, I think.

So, waddaya think....I am thinking I'll cut off the ribbing at the waist, the sleeves (they are still about 8" too long) and the neck, cut it down the center front, and add a jacket zipper. I'll line it and bind the edges with......what? I am thinking a wide grosgrain ribbon, folded and used like bias tape....but that won't work for the neck edge, will it.....

Suggestions?

 

[patandchickens]

I would not use grosgrain ribbon, it will not behave like bias tape and you will get a stiff ripply result. Actual bias tape would be fine or you could make some out of some fabric you have around, it is a little investment of time-and-cutting-and-pressing but not at all difficult (one of those little metal widgies for making bias tape *helps* but is not at all *necessary*)

Be careful however about differential shrinkage. If this will be a seldom-used garment that will get washed seldom-and-gently if at all, it is not so much of a problem, but if you foresee washing it on a regular basis or using the wash machine on it it would be better if you can finish the edges in a way that does not involve applying a differently-shrinking fabric. Whipstitching works well for that type purpose if you can get it even-looking enough (it is worth machine-stitching all along the edge before whipstitching, where the machine-stitching will be covered by the whipstitch, to lock all the edge yarns in place especially if your felting is only partial). You might be able to make *woollen* bias tape, I don't know, I've not tried that.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[freemotion]

I was all ready to make my own bias tape, Pat, then tonight I thought I'd bring the sweater to our religious services to show a dear elderly friend who used to be a seamstress and taught sewing....did a lot of hand sewing, too.

She suggested I look for a knitted binding tape, not sure if they still make it, she couldn't remember what it is called. She looked at the curve of the neck on my sweater and suggested.....grosgrain ribbon! I asked about it rippling....she said to prepare it by carefully stretching one side and shrinking the other (after folding it in half) with a steam iron.

I'll be going to Joann's on Saturday, I hope, and will look for stuff then. I will do pics of the process and post them.....IF it turns out.

 

[patandchickens]

She looked at the curve of the neck on my sweater and suggested.....grosgrain ribbon! I asked about it rippling....she said to prepare it by carefully stretching one side and shrinking the other (after folding it in half) with a steam iron.

Hey, cool idea, I'll have to try that sometime! Thanks for posting, and if you try it yourself let me know how easy/aggravating it is!

The other thing I thought of later on that I'd meant to mention is that I've a number of times stabilized the necks of heavy-ish commercial-knit tops I've sewn by using a length of NON-stretchable cord (generally whatever I have sitting around that is synthetic and non-stretchy), either encasing it in bias tape on the raw edge or turning the raw edge in and sewing it over so the cord is encased inside the 'hem'.

Pat

 

[BirdBrain]

I have used Lycra type fabrics ( think bathing suit) to bind fleece articles. I think I still have a piece of black lying around some where. It finishes beautifully and stands up to wearing well.

 

[kcsunshine]

And be sure to post pics.