Is there a technique for this?

So I'm making lots of belts and straps these days, and I was wondering about something.

Typically if I want to make a belt or a strap to look really nice, I basically make a tube and turn it inside out. Now, with bigger straps it's not too much of a problem. However, when I make small straps, I struggle turning the thing inside out. My fingers ache after a while of pulling the fabric out. And forget about making spaghetti straps!

So is there a way to make this easier? Or is there a different way to make straps that would look just as good?

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6 replies since 27th July 2011 • Last reply 27th July 2011

Reply #1:

ever look at bias tape? sewn down it makes a very wonderful small strap and is usually much neater and more professional looking than a tube of fabric.

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Reply #2:

Chopstick or knitting needle can help with the turning

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Reply #3:

as pinkweeds said, you can just fold bias tape and topstitch both edges. you can make tape by yourself or even take a normal strip of fabric, fold in some seam allowance and fold over again and topstitch (a fake tube if you wanna say it).
and, i remember a how-to on here for turning tubes with a string, i think jet made it.

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Reply #4:

Thanks guys! I never even thought about using bias tape, and I'll try looking up that how-to, So Lala. Hopefully this will make my life a lot easier!

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Reply #5:

Every time I've made very thin straps (about 1/2" or thinner when finished) I've always turned them inside out using a really small safety pin.

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Reply #6:

Odd as this is, I tie the end of it, to one of my husbands small wrenches, and just drop it through the tube, it's quick it's easy, and suits my laziness! <3

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