A few people asked me about how to sew piping. Today I finished up my DDs Minnie Mouse Birthday top. I was going to put store bought pink piping on the shirt but then decided I should show everyone how easy it is to make piping.
I do have a piping foot but you can use a zipper foot as well.
I first cut my two inch strips. (*** I did not do this the correct way. You really should cut your strips on the bias- 45 degree angle.)
Next I gathered my supplies. I have my cording, piping foot and fabric strips. Also, here is a close up of the piping foot. You can see there is a little half circle groove that the piping/cording settles into as you sew.
Place your cording in the center of the fabric strip, close the fabric to make a little taco. My strips are two inches wide. Place the cording (surrounded by fabric) then sew along the edge of the cording. Since the cording sits in the groove it is super easy.
This is something that my DD made me while I was sewing. He kept me company. LOL
Now your piping has been made. I next trim the extra fabric. I trim the piping so it is about the same size as commercial piping. It is just easier with a little extra fabric.
Now it is time to sew your piping to the bodice. I just line the piping to the edge of the fabric and let the piping foot guide me along.
Here is the end result. Now you can see on the corners why you should cut your fabric along the bias. By doing this the fabric will move and stretch nicely.
I added my straps and hooks to the bodice. Then I pinned my lining fabric to my bodice right sides together. Next I flip the bodice over and sew the lining to the bodice. I like to sew on the back of the bodice because you can use the piping stitching as a guide. Again, I use my piping foot so the piping is just guided through.
Next, I changed back to my regular foot and stitched the sides. I snipped the corners and clipped the curves of the bodice. I turned the bodice right side out and top stitched around the seams.
Here is the finished product!
I still have to finish the babes Minnie Mouse top. Here top does not have the bday hat though. JennWDW made about the cutest black and pink bows and Waughzee made super cute tiaras. They are going to wear these tops the first night we arrive at WDW with their Minnie pettiskirts.
I do have a piping foot but you can use a zipper foot as well.
I first cut my two inch strips. (*** I did not do this the correct way. You really should cut your strips on the bias- 45 degree angle.)
Next I gathered my supplies. I have my cording, piping foot and fabric strips. Also, here is a close up of the piping foot. You can see there is a little half circle groove that the piping/cording settles into as you sew.
Place your cording in the center of the fabric strip, close the fabric to make a little taco. My strips are two inches wide. Place the cording (surrounded by fabric) then sew along the edge of the cording. Since the cording sits in the groove it is super easy.
This is something that my DD made me while I was sewing. He kept me company. LOL
Now your piping has been made. I next trim the extra fabric. I trim the piping so it is about the same size as commercial piping. It is just easier with a little extra fabric.
Now it is time to sew your piping to the bodice. I just line the piping to the edge of the fabric and let the piping foot guide me along.
Here is the end result. Now you can see on the corners why you should cut your fabric along the bias. By doing this the fabric will move and stretch nicely.
I added my straps and hooks to the bodice. Then I pinned my lining fabric to my bodice right sides together. Next I flip the bodice over and sew the lining to the bodice. I like to sew on the back of the bodice because you can use the piping stitching as a guide. Again, I use my piping foot so the piping is just guided through.
Next, I changed back to my regular foot and stitched the sides. I snipped the corners and clipped the curves of the bodice. I turned the bodice right side out and top stitched around the seams.
Here is the finished product!
I still have to finish the babes Minnie Mouse top. Here top does not have the bday hat though. JennWDW made about the cutest black and pink bows and Waughzee made super cute tiaras. They are going to wear these tops the first night we arrive at WDW with their Minnie pettiskirts.
, here are some monster initials I did for tees. I'm slowly working through the alphabet. I've even been considering trying to make these into applique patterns for others to use.
After that he did his homework and then lounged in the art room. He was supposed to help me but his company was nice. He is sacked out on the couch watching Wall-e right now. My girls say it's a boy movie and will never watch it. 
The corset top and ruffled capris and of course my little ham:
