Help from seamstresses

[FelicityBeedle]

I’m making masks for local community and I can make the mask dead quickly, but making the ties is incredibly time consuming. I’m currently running a long stitch down the length of doubled over inch wide fabric and closing the end, and turning it inside out. But it’s a faff cutting the strips and reversing them. I was using bias binding but I ran out and no more is available online. Any ideas for a quicker solution that won’t fray? Needs to withstand hot washes

Not a seamstress. But can you not just sew on ribbon on for ties and do a zigzag stitch round the mask edges instead of bias binding (oh and Asda sell bias binding on a sewing stand thing at my local branch if you’re desperate and need shopping, two birds one stone)

I have no ribbon unfortunately and the guidance suggests it should be 100% cotton which ribbon isn’t. Good idea about the sewing stand at Asda though

Cut a 2 inch wide strap, fold each edge into the middles then fold that in half and sew down the seam. Saw a good video the other day will try to find it

Hope this works

www.facebook.com/500343815/posts/10158315834048816/

There are groups on FB, lots of pattern links, tutorials etc.

Just cut a strip. Fold the 2 edges to meet in the middle. Then fold the whole thing down the centre and stitch together.

That’s what I was doing originally the folding into middle and folding again but that took even longer, I don’t own an iron so was doing it with a pair of straighteners.
Wow that man is fast in the video

How are you turning them? I use a hair grip, cut a slit in the fabric near one end and pull through. I find that fastest.

Score it with your thumbnail instead of straighteners.

I’ve taught textiles for 25 years. I always tell them to score it. Not enough irons for 25 to press their seam individually.

That guys using an industrial machine. They move like lightening

Try and do it all in one. I’ve attached a picture but not sure how helpful it is?🙄 @

You are doing a great job op!!

That is helpful Prince, thank you

m.youtube.com/watch?v=GRcYgfxQZLo
Try doing it the way the woman is in the video here, but pulling it through your straighteners rather than ironing

Would tape like this work instead? You'd just need to neaten the cut ends.

www.amazon.co.uk/Habercrafts-Cotton-Webbing-Belting-Strapping/dp/B00P93D92E/ref=sr_1_105?dchild=1&keywords=herringbone+tape&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1586167425&sr=8-105

What size bias binding do you need? I think I have some really unattractive dark green that come in a bundle from a charity shop. I would be happy to post it to you if I can find it!

Any size would work for me, if you wouldn’t mind posting that would be fab, dark green would probably look lovely with my hot pink fabric

I will look for it. It was so unattractive I'm sure I haven't used it 😂😂 I have some "camel" and black too. PM me your address and I will at least be able to post that :)

Message sent! Thank you, very generous. I’ve had a little more look with using hair bobbles today but only for small faces

I've found one roll of it but I'm sure there was more

Oops *luck
You’re like me then in all your sewing bits are slightly ancient! Lots of mine are Woolworths

I feel the need to rescue abandoned tins of sewing stuff from charity shops 😂

I found another roll and it's all parcelled up waiting for DS1 to take the dog out later. :)

My local shops seem to take apart the tins contents and over price them unfortunately, but I’m known as the person who will take your granny’s old sewing stuff. I’m only 21 but I think most of my sewing stuff if older than I am

This is definitely older than you 😂

Theres rolls of cotton bias binding on Ebay (auction) , but you'd have to wash it first which could be a faff.

I got your parcel today @soupdragon
Thank you so much!