How To Turn A Narrow Tube - The Bobby Pin Trick

Do you avoid designs with narrow spaghetti straps because the idea of turning the narrow tube is just too daunting? We have a super easy trick to share to take away that fear and open up the possibilities to sew up those darling designs! The secret is the use of a bobby pin - seriously, it works! After trying this you will have the confidence to turn narrow fabric tubes without fear!

BONUS - Limited Time Giveaway! This week We're giving away a $50 Pixie Faire Gift Card!

To enter the giveaway, be sure to scroll to the end of this post and leave a comment. Tell us what sewing challenge you'd like us to solve! Then be sure to follow this blog series to see when we post a "quick tips" solution!

This exciting sewing tip is being shared with you as an excerpt from the full Sewing Curves and Corners course. This course offers a full sew-along for the Liberty Jane Culotte Jumpsuit plus other tips for sewing curves and corners, if you haven't already checked it out I encourage you to take a peek and pick up a copy of the course today, or join the Sewing With Cinnamon community for more sewing tips, tricks, and community interaction.

Now onto the tutorial... All you need is a bobby pin and a 1" wide piece of woven cotton fabric to test this out. It can be any sewing project, it doesn't have to be just for dolls. This excerpt is demo-ing the strap pieces from the Culotte Jumpsuit pattern design.

 

Wasn't that amazing? Are you ready to try this out yourself? Here's is an additional step by step illustration (from the Culotte Jumpsuit pattern) of the whole process:

1. With RIGHT sides together, fold the strap in half lengthwise. Stitch with 1/4" seam allowance. Trim the seam allowance close to the stitching line.

2. Cut a small slit into the folded edge of the strap about 1/8" from the end. Slide a bobby pin onto the strap. Be sure the small section slides in between the bobby pin. Then feed the top back inside the tube.

3. Continue to push the bobby pin into the tube while pulling the fabric back over the end of the bobby pin.

4. Continue to slide the fabric back while pulling the bobby pin forward.

5. As the tube emerges, carefully slide the fabric all the way to the end.

6. Press the straps and use them with your desired project!

 

Applying this method can help you approach sewing patterns that include narrow spaghetti straps with confidence! Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

     

 

  

 

ENTER TO WIN A $50 Pixie Faire Gift Card!

 

To enter this week's contest, simply click the link below and then enter through the giveaway widget at the bottom of the blog post, there are many things you can do to earn multiple entry points!

Contest Details: You enter through the entry form that is embedded on this page and appears just below this paragraph, if you don't see it, be sure to visit the page from your desktop or an alternate browser such as Google Chrome. It may not appear on all mobile devices. The complete rules and entry details appear on the entry form. This is not a comment contest - in other words, leaving a comment on the bottom of this page is not an official entry method. The only required entry method is to leave a comment under this post and then confirm that you did it in the contest widget. One person will receive the PF Gift Card. You can enter once, or gain multiple entries by completing the other entry methods and increase your chances of winning. Please review all Terms and Conditions on the giveaway page before entering. While we wish we could run this contest everywhere, for legal reasons it is only open to eligible residents of the U.S. and Canada, not including Rhode Island. This contest is exclusively endorsed by Liberty Jane Clothing and Pixie Faire. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

We'd love to hear from you. Leave a comment and tell us - what sewing challenge you'd like us to solve! Then be sure to follow this blog series to see when we post a "quick tips" solution!

Commenting below and confirming your entry in the widget above gives you one entry method, the other methods are listed in the widget above, be sure to enter in as many ways as you can to receive the maximum amount of entries to win one PF Gift Card!

Thanks, everyone!

The Pixie Faire Team


39 Comments

Jeri
Jeri

August 12, 2020

Great tip! I need help with narrow hems and seams. Thanks!

Marian
Marian

August 12, 2020

I appreciate all the tips that remind me of all the things I studied years ago in college.

Doll Lover
Doll Lover

August 12, 2020

I need to know how to easily do tiny button holes!

Linda A C
Linda A C

August 12, 2020

I would like to know how to get the mitered corners on a blanket to look right on the front and back when I am sewing a binding on the blanket. I generally get the binding to look okay on the front but not on the back.

BevM
BevM

August 12, 2020

Cute.

Sheila chelednik
Sheila chelednik

August 12, 2020

I loved this tip. I could use help on button holes .

Kaylee
Kaylee

August 12, 2020

I would love to see a tutorial on small buttonholes!

Monique
Monique

August 12, 2020

I would like tips on how to change pattern sizes from 18 inch to Disney Animator size.
Thanks for all the great tips

Monique
Monique

August 12, 2020

I would like tips on how to change pattern sizes from 18 inch to Disney Animator size.
Thanks for all the great tips

Karen
Karen

August 12, 2020

I crochet a lot of doll clothes and would like info on creating buttonholes for closures..

Marietta
Marietta

August 12, 2020

How to eliminate bulk at waistline when pattern calls for multiple layering of skirts on a gown

Katherine E Ackerman
Katherine E Ackerman

August 12, 2020

That demo totural was very helpful. I sometimes have problems with making a rolled hem. I only have a regular sewing machine and the tiny pieces can be challenging.

Diane R
Diane R

August 12, 2020

I would like to know more about sewing zippers in pants and that includes the front, side, and back seams. Cool hack for turning spaghetti straps. Thank you!

Leanna
Leanna

August 11, 2020

I perpetually shred the edges of my fabric when I do a rolled hem with the Serger. I wish I knew how to do that well!

SARAH K
SARAH K

August 11, 2020

Sewing invisible zippers in doll clothes

Lorraine M
Lorraine M

August 11, 2020

I would like a tutorial on sewing invisible zipper.

Lorraine M
Lorraine M

August 11, 2020

I would like a tutorial on sewing invisible zipper.

Tamara G
Tamara G

August 11, 2020

I wish I could figure out the buttonhole attachment that came with my newer sewing machine!

Maureen Fry
Maureen Fry

August 11, 2020

I guess I would like more info about zippers.

Janet
Janet

August 11, 2020

How to topstitch straight.

Julia
Julia

August 11, 2020

I’d like to know the easiest way to make flat-felled seams in doll-sized sewing.

Debra
Debra

August 11, 2020

What a clever idea! Looks easier then the tube turner. I’m going to try it.

Gail Beam
Gail Beam

August 11, 2020

making a narrow hem at the top of a blouse that does not have a collar

Judith Martinez
Judith Martinez

August 11, 2020

My biggest challenge is tiny little pieces that get eaten by the machine.

Rose
Rose

August 11, 2020

How to sew a zipper in hand knit and crochet items.
How to sew Velcro in hand knit and crocheted items
Thank you for all the tips you share with us!

Donna Landreth
Donna Landreth

August 11, 2020

My challenge is doing narrow hemming of sleeves on sleeveless outfits. I would like to know an easier way to do this. Thank you Cinnamon for the awesome giveaways.😘

Lyn K
Lyn K

August 11, 2020

How to finish the bottom of the back seam that overlaps When using Velcro.

Lyn K
Lyn K

August 11, 2020

The vent on a blazer. Can’t seem to get the angle, cut to look finished on a unlined vent.

Jo
Jo

August 11, 2020

I would really like to know the secrets of sewing a zipper. It is so bad I won’t make anything that has a zipper.

Beth C
Beth C

August 11, 2020

How do you prevent a rat’s nest from forming on the underside of your fabric when you start sewing or how do you sew through thick layers of fabric when the fabric doesn’t want to feed under the presser foot well?

PF Strong
PF Strong

August 11, 2020

I would like to know how to convert a Velcro closure into a zippered closure. Thanks!

Theresa
Theresa

August 11, 2020

Maybe something on sewing buttons.

Sam
Sam

August 11, 2020

sewing in zippers, especially invisible ones or thick/bulky fabric

kathy  m.
kathy m.

August 11, 2020

how to gather length of fabric to add to top or in making dress ? one row or more gather stitches ?

Denise Darby
Denise Darby

August 11, 2020

tips on invisible zipper.

Amy G
Amy G

August 11, 2020

I would like tips on how to pivot and keep from puckering when making an L shaped stitch.

S.C.
S.C.

August 11, 2020

I would like some tips on how to make perfectly even pleats, those are so intimidating.

Heidi
Heidi

August 11, 2020

How to change gathers at the waist on a pattern to box pleats.

Kimberly Chidsey
Kimberly Chidsey

August 10, 2020

I’d like some quick hints for sewing a zipper.

Leave a comment