This pattern calls for you to cut 1 1/2" strips of fabric on the bias. (Oooh, quick tip- if you are applying the cording to corners, you'll need to cut your fabric on the bias. If you're applying the cording to a straight edge without turning any corners, you can cut your fabric on the grain.). Normally you would encase the cotton cording in the strip of fabric and sew a seam. As you apply the cording to the bag, you are supposed to continue sewing your seams closer and closer to the cording so at the end you have a nice tight cord without any seams showing. This can be tricky. So I cheat. Enter Stage Left: Stitch Witchery
This is a technique that has been around forever, but for some reason I don't think very many people know about it. This stuff is a lifesaver- once you try it, you'll never go back to sewing cording the old fashioned way again. Stitch Witchery is basically a roll of glue which allows you to fuse two pieces of fabric together. Have you ever bought curtains from Ikea? This is basically what they give you in each package to hem your curtains- no sewing needed.
1. Lay your strip of fabric wrong side up. Cut a piece of Stitch Witchery the same length as your strip of fabric and lay it just a tad above the edge of the fabric. Then take your cotton cording and place it above the Stitch Witchery. Not on top of it, but above it.
2. Fold down the top of the fabric and match up the edges. Pinch it tight with your iron so there isn't any wiggle room for the cording to move around. It should form a tight seam right up against the cording.
3. Continue until you reach the end and voila! Your cording is ready to use without any thread seams to worry about.
See, it's not as intimidating as you thought! Continue to apply the cording per the pattern instructions and you'll soon have a nice pocket detail like this:
Thanks for sharing this tip! Love it! You are right, never heard that one before. I am "self-taught" along with help from my Mom...she has so much knowledge about this stuff, but we have very little dedicated sewing time together...
ReplyDeleteGenius! Thanks for the tip. I haven't used cording much but this seems much easier than the method I've used before!
ReplyDeletep.s. I am loving the celery and navy :)
WHOA ----- You are a GENIUS!!! I avoid cording at all costs because it's such a pain, but -- no more! I will be brave!
ReplyDeleteGreat tip! And the celery is working it next to the navy print!
ReplyDeleteYet another "Doh! Why didn't I think of that" moment.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
This is wonderful. I had never heard of this. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing such a great tip...I never would've thought of this. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis brilliant! Now I can stop avoiding projects involving cording.
ReplyDeletewaaw, i liked the way u've done that, i have the tape wondering all the time when im gonna use it, i think i have the answer for this quastion now.. thanks a lot
ReplyDeletewow, thanks for the great tip, never would have thought of that for whatever reason. I love the look of cording, but it's often so hard to get it to look really clean and nice, this will make a huge difference!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks!! Starting the weekender bag soon, will have to pick this up! I'm a beginner so this should be interesting. ;) I appreciate all the shortcuts I can get.
ReplyDeleteAmazing! Thank you for saving me from hours of frustration:)
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteThis bag is just beautiful! I would like to make one for work. It seems that the pattern as written, and perhaps as reduced at 15%, would still be too large for a daily work bag. I would like the bag to be able to fit my laptop and lunch. Would you recommend reducing it by 20 or 25?
Thanks for your help!
I am just starting the weekender bag and found your blog as a good source for tips (thank you!) But I have one question... the directions say to fuse the shapeflex to the peltex, does this make sense or am I just reading it wrong? I know you made this over a year ago, but if you remember anything about this that would be great! I have bee sewing a quilt for the last two whole days so maybe my brian is mushy now.
ReplyDeleteHi Holly W,
ReplyDeleteI hope you come back and check the comments- I couldn't reach you any other way.
I'm so glad you found my blog for tips on the Weekender :) This part confused me too. If I'm understanding your question, you're going to lay your outside panel fabric right side down, then the peltex (which is a bit smaller as it has the 1/2" seam allowance trimmed away to make it less bulky), and then the shapeflex with the fusible side sandwiching the peltex in between. This creates a nice rigid piece for the outside of the bag and gives it its structure.
Hope that makes sense! Let me know if there's anything else I can help you with- good luck!
Thank you so much! I've only used interfacing directly on fabric to give it structure, so it confused me to think of adding more structure to the Peltex, its so stiff already! But Im sure there's a reason for it...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, thanks! I'm making two bags at the same time because I've read of people making this pattern and never wanting to get near one again!
What a great tip! Down here in the land down under we call this hemming web and I've just recently rediscovered how useful it can be for tricky fabrics. I plan to use this tip.
ReplyDeleteOhhhhmygod ive just been stitching and then having to re-stitch when you can see the stitching slightly when its all done.. now i wont get confused with which stitch is which!! Thankyou :D
ReplyDelete