It really wasn't that difficult to make. Maybe a little time consuming, but even that wasn't so bad. I would be thrilled if I could find really big ric-rac ready made, but until then, I'll make do... and it is a bonus that it coordinates with my project. ;-)
I started by folding paper and cutting it. Just like making those paper dolls I'm sure we all did when we were younger. (I actually made a quilt for DD when she was small with fabric paper dolls around the border. I have no idea what happened to it! :-o I'll have to look)
I fiddled with the paper and tried a few different 'looks' before I settled on one that looked like this~~ bottom paper...
Then I traced it onto template plastic. I tried to figure out where my quarter inch spot would be~ but the dots I made on the template were not accurate; I sewed deeper. Then I flipped my paper template and lined up the center of a curve with the above 'point part' so it looked like rounded ric-rac. I left about 1.25 inches between them~ if I lay my ruler on my template~ the row of points on top has a space of 1.25 inches between the row of points on the bottom~ does that make sense? I think next time, I will try 1.5 inches.
Then I took my fabric and cut off 3.5 inch selvage to selvage strips. (the width of my template plus a little more) I needed more than one, so I sewed a few together just like you would sew binding together on the diagonal. When I had the length I wanted, I did it again, but cut off about 12 inches from the beginning so my diagonals would not be in the same spots. I put my fabric strips right sides together and traced my template on one side. I used pins. ;-)
Then I sewed my seam 1/4 inch or less from my traced lines. On the inside points I took a few small stitches like a 'U' instead of pivoting on the points. Trim it all up so you have a little less than a quarter inch seam allowance~ more like a fat eighth. ;-) And cut very carefully into the middle of the 'U' all the way to your stitching. Then I slit the back thru the center. :-) The whole length~ and turned all my tops right side out.
Since I was planning to stitch it down, the slit doesn't matter. If I was worried about it, I could always put a strip of Steam-a-Seam tape down the length when everything was turned and pressed. Or you could turn the whole thing from an edge, like a tube. But the slit worked for me. ;-)
The next time I make some, I am going to make my 'points' a little more rounded, the 'U' was a bit of a bugger to turn. And I will leave 1.5 inches between the top points and bottom. I'm thinking some fabric ric-rac that is 4 inches wide would be really cool on a bag. :-)
If you try to make your own ric-rac, please come back and let me know how it worked for you! I would love to see your project. :-)
Until next time~
Happy stitching!
9 comments:
Brilliant idea Sandie! I'm going to have to try this.
cool = thanks for showing us how to
That looks like a smart way to do it, but I am wondering if you could use interfacing instead of fabric for the back. I have done that with some appliques where you sew it on and snip a hole to turn, a bit lighter and less bulky than fabric.
Debbie
I really like the fabric rick rack, but it does look like quite a bit of work. I'm planning to make a lot of kitchen towels for gifts this year and this would really be cute. I'll have to think about it.
Thank you so much, Sandie, for sharing your 'how to' with us. :) I'm bookmarking it for future reference. :)
You're just too awesome! I purchased the GO ric rac die not too long ago and plan on giving it a try soon!
Thanks Sandie. I love that you can use any fabric you want this way. Huge thank yous for the Tute!
Love it, but making it is way over my head :)
wowser! Thanks for the tutorial--which I pinned. Hope that is okay??
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