? on material

commercial bias tape

off the top of my addled brain... can you unpick the quilting along the edge of one side where they join, cut out the batting on that one side, then make a french seam? putting the usual binding around the outside of the item, of course. not sure if it would work or not. just the first thot that came to mind. i'm sure someone else will have a better idea. fwiw, j.

"Karen Z" wrote ... hope this doesn't offend anyone. but if any of you use the already quilted material to make things what do you do to finish off the raggedy edges? i want to make a wallet and a cell phone cover and i am wondering about this as i don't want those raw edges on the inside of the articles. thanks for any responses. karen(kz)

Karen, I have a pictorial tutorial (say that 3 times- quickly! LOL) in my WebShots albums. Instead of using fused fabric for the outside cover, you could use your pre-quilted fabric. I know you are making a wallet- maybe you could adapt the process? It's turned right-side-out so no binding would be needed. (It also has an elastic loop for a pen and a plastic page for carbon copy checks for anybody who might be thinking Christmas gift.)

I tend to serge the edges. Another solution is to make the article inside out, trim the seams down, and bind them with bias binding...

I would zig-zag the edges together.

I recently made a back pack from McCall's pattern 4118 using pre-quilted fabric . The pattern instructions said to use purchased 1/2" double-fold bias tape to finish the seams. I did that, but if I make another one, I'll simply zig-zag the edges with a wide zig-zag stitch. I don't particularly enjoy using bias tape and I think it was overkill in this situation.

I do like the bag, however. I did add a little zippered pocket under the flap for small items. The pattern called for a zipper in the back seam. It didn't seem necessary to me, but I put it in and added another inside pocket behind it. After using the bag, I can see the purpose of the zipper -- it does help to get at the contents of the bag, but I do like the extra pocket. I used separating zippers and bought them longer than the pattern called for. I didn't use the pattern's method of putting in the zippers -- did them the way I've done for other bags. The pattern called for a magnetic snap under the flap; I omitted it and don't think it's necessary. It also calls for a 3/8" grommet to pull the drawstring ends through. I had some of those, so used it, then realized I'd have to leave an opening in the casing so that I could use a safety pin to thread the drawstring through. If I make the pattern again, I'd just make a buttonhole. The pattern calls for a heavy cardboard piece covered with fabric in the bottom, presumably to give it more shape. I tried plastic needlepoint canvas instead, but it didn't stay in place in the bottom of the bag. I decided it wasn't really necessary and left it out.

Julia in MN

I'd forgotten about "Seams Great". I used to use that a lot to finish the seams in garments, but I don't do much garment sewing these days. It makes a "cleaner" finish than zig-zag, with very little extra bulk. Very nice on the insides of unlined jackets.

Julia > There are several different methods that can be used to finish the

I use French seams.

thank you so much for all the input . now i can decide what i want to do and i will look for that Seams great too. thanks again. karen(kz)

I'd vote for a French seam on this -- quick, easy and a clean edge!

if you don't know how to do them -- please post back -- it really isn't hard at all!