How to Sew Foldover Elastic?

I use FOE on just about everything I sew:o) I'm not exactly sure, but the piping thing you're talking about sounds like the FOE piping I saw on a little girl's RTW shirt. Only the way I saw it, it was in a seam, and didn't have any kind of cording in it (though I have used the method with and without cording, and haven't really been able to tell the difference by just looking at it).

Normally, FOE is just used as a binding. Just fold it over the edge of the garment, and stitch in place with whatever stitch you want. I have used straight, zig zag, and 3-step zigzag many many times. I also have found it is useful to hold just a tiny bit of tension on the FOE when sewing it on stretchy fabrics, to keep the garment edge from stretching while sewing (does that make sense?). Don't stretch too much, or you will get gathers.

Most RTW shirts I have seen use a straight stitch to attach FOE (my mom has some nice RTW rayon/cotton knit dressy tees, with FOE at the neckline), sewn at the very edge of the elastic (not the folded edge). This is the least visible. But most home sewers that I know of use a narrow zigzag, or 3-step zigzag, because it is easier to catch the underside FOE that way. This is also a bit stretchier, but if you put the tension on the FOE, the straight stitch is still stretchy enough to go easily over your head.

Here's some FOE piping, as well as a FOE-bound neckline, on a pr of pjs for my DD (please forgive the crooked stitching on the neckline--I'm much less careful when I know what I am making will just be slept in;o):

and the whole rumpled outfit: Feel free to email me if this doesn't make sense...I'm up way too late with kids that just won't go to bed! ;o)

Welcome aboard, Kyla.I thank you for coming in and giving me such good info. You have too much expertise to stay out there any longer, girl! Love the pix of the stylish jamies!. Your DD is very fortunate to have such a talented Mum.

May I ask what your source for FOE is? I just happened to luck into this that I have. Also, I have some others questions which I will ask here in the group so that we all have the benefit of your reply.

Am I correct in thinking you only make one pass at stitching, sewing through both sides of the FOE and the fabric at once? Do you hand baste to control everything before stitching? If no basting, how do you control all the layers at one time, keeping the fabric edge snug against the fold? (Sounds like a practised skill.)

Then, I'm not clear as to your mean>I use FOE on just about everything I sew:o) I'm not exactly sure, but the

Yes, this is what I hope to do.

This is the least

Sounds like my grandkids. 8-) They are real nightowls.

Continue to scroll down, please.

Here I should have said that the final pass was probably done with a coverstitch, judging from the stitching on the bobbin side.

Thanks for your help, Kyla. You probably make a lot of adorable things for your kids. What other sewing do you like to do? Tell us all about yourself.

another Sharon

Ok, I'm gonna answer this tonight, even though I'm getting a little loopy, and should be sleeping!!;o)

*I was buying it through co-ops, to get a particular kind that is very wide, and plush, to use on diapers. But now that I am using it for more decorative things, I get it from a lady on eBay (NAYY!): She always has a lot of colors, and whenyou order from her, she sends snippets of all her other FOE, like swatches,so you can see all the colors:o) I've also bought from: , and (also NAYY to both ofthose, but I have been happy with the service:o) *Yes, that's right.

*Nope, I don't baste it. It does take a little practice, but it's pretty easy. Actually, now that I am thinking about the mechanics of how I do it, I do stop-go-stop-go a lot, repositioning each time. It helps to fold it along the line before sewing it on, so it already kinda knows where it's folding, especially for the narrow shiny stuff. *You got it! That was hard to explain; I didn't want to say "stretch it", because if you stretch, it will gather the fabric (try it on a scrap, it's fun! LOL), but it does help to pull *ever so slightly*.

Thanks for all the complements! I sew a lot of clothes for my kids, but not much for us grownups. I *should*...I'm a size 6 and over 6 feet tall. IMPOSSIBLE to find well-fitting clothes for me;o) I actually have a business sewing cloth diapers and clothing for babies, though I am closed down right now (I'm recharging my batteries, so to say;o). I also make jewelry, which is my main focus during this time of year, because there are a lot of craft fairs and shows to sell at. Other hobbies include making soap (my *relax and release* hobby), and quilting (exactly the opposite of relaxing for me! hehehe). Oh! And web/graphics design. I'm spread out all over the place, but I have always been one of those people that when I set my mind to learn something, I LEARN it, all the way, and then jump on to the next thing. My most recent big sewing project was making curtains for my church. It was a difficult fabric to work with, and a LOT of it....I hated it, but it WAS very rewarding to see the place transformed when they were put up:o) I am about to embark on a dyeing project; I bought what seems like MILES of white cotton fabrics (knit, denim, twill, cord, french terry...), and I'm going to start dyeing it all to make clothes for my kids, now that it's starting to get cold here:o) Oh! And my grama wants a fleece caftan for Xmas...don't know what that is, but I've got some printed Malden Mills 2oowt here that I'm prepared to chop up as soon as I find out;o)

I'm having a birthday in about three weeks (turning 23 on Dec. 18th), and I am just learning how to drive (have my behind-the-wheel test on Dec. 4th). I have two little kids: Isaac is 3, Ashley is 20mos (both born in March). They keep me busy!! I live in Los Angeles, with my hubby of almost-5 years.

Most important things about me: I speak before I think, and hobble around with my foot in my mouth often;o) I don't bruise easily, take criticism very well. I'm a compulsive post-snipper (one of my FEW pet peeves, but I generally keep it to myself:o) But the most most important thing is that I am in love with Christ, and everything I do in my life gets run by Him first:o) I fully hold on to the golden rule of *Do unto others as you would have done unto you*.

Oh, yeah, and I like to talk...a LOT...;o)

So very nice getting to know you, Kyla. Wheeu, I think you should change your email name from 'bluegreen' to 'bluestreak'. You are another lady bursting with energy - taking care of your two tykes and all that you do on top of it. It's no wonder you can wear a size 6. I admire it and wish I were more like it, from my space on the timeline. This gran has slowed down quite a lot and has the figure to show it. Loved your family album. Your children are adorable, tow-headed (i.e., blondes) like all of my kids/grandkids.

I originated in Wyoming, married a tow-head from Pennsylvania - moving to Africa and then to Pennsylvania with him where we've lived some 30+ years raising our son & daughter who've graced our lives with 5 GK. My longest activity has been choral music - a choral society & a church choir. I was downsized a few years ago. Rather than start over with some company earning a measley 2-weeks vacation/yr. I came home, got involved in volunteer and church work, and took up sewing again. (Who can stand a pittance of 2 weeks vacation when the GKs and all the rest of the family live out of town?) From time to time friends find me interesting jobs of short duration that change the routine. We look to be here for another 6+ years until DH decides to retire. Where then, who knows? Maybe here with our church family, central PA with FIL and SIL near DD, or out west closer to son and brothers' families.

Thanks so much for the FOE sources and sewing guidelines. I'll get to work on them when we get back after Thanksgiving.

Happy thanksgiving to you and your family. Good luck with the driving instruction. I'm sure you'll do well!

another Shar>Ok, I'm gonna answer this tonight, even though I'm getting a little loopy,