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 weekWe'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:
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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!
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Thanks, everyone!
The Pixie Faire Team
100 Comments
Heidi
October 31, 2022
Great tip.
Ellen
October 29, 2022
Very clever. I will definitely be trying this!
Stephanie G
October 28, 2022
Good tip!
Carla pearson
October 28, 2022
Very helpful
Susan
October 28, 2022
Looks easy!
Laurie
October 28, 2022
Look forward to trying the hairpin tip. I have used 1/8 or 1/4 inch ribbon heretofore to avoid trying to turn a tiny strap.
Jean
October 28, 2022
I’ll have to try this!
Heather
October 28, 2022
Great tip!
Carmen
October 26, 2022
Great tip. Thanks!
Jordan Kendregan
October 26, 2022
Cool tip
Linda Ditgen
October 25, 2022
I use a turning tool but will give this a try. I love the pattern used in this tutorial.
Virginia
October 25, 2022
Sewing with multiple layers of tulle to make a gathered overskirt
Diana
October 25, 2022
I use small safety pins or my turning tool.
Grace C-A
October 25, 2022
Yesss! This is a great tip. Thanks!
Kyle
October 25, 2022
Absolutely ingenious! Turning can be seriously frustrating!
Marcie
October 25, 2022
This is amazing.
Libby
October 25, 2022
Wow, love this! I’ve used a safety pin before but not a bobby pin. This will definitely be used!
Kristina
October 25, 2022
Definitely using this!
Donna
October 25, 2022
Great tip. I will try it.
Charlotte
October 25, 2022
This is a great idea, I’ll need to try this out next time I’m making tiny straps!
Angie
October 25, 2022
Handy for when a safety pin is too big and nothing else is handy.
Kathy
October 25, 2022
What great tip. I never thought about using a bobby pin….
Mary
October 25, 2022
hmmm… looks easier than my ‘turning tubes’ I’ve always used… I’ll give this a try!
Rebecca
October 25, 2022
That’s a great tip!
I would love a heck for small-scale ruffles where there isn’t really room for multiple gathering threads (my usual approach).
Rebecca
October 25, 2022
That’s a great tip!
I would love a heck for small-scale ruffles where there isn’t really room for multiple gathering threads (my usual approach).
Ruth
October 25, 2022
I would love tips on working with stretchy fabrics
Cheryl Strayer
October 25, 2022
I learned something new!
Jennylyn Gross
October 23, 2022
good to know thank you
Mary Cox
October 22, 2022
My dilemma is marking tulle. Nothing I try seems to work, so is there a trick for me to learn?
Gail Beam
October 22, 2022
What a great tip!! thank you
Kari
October 21, 2022
This is an amazing tip! I have trouble with having the needle pull in small pattern pieces so the stitching puckers unattractively.
Sharon
October 21, 2022
very nifty
Carol
October 21, 2022
Great idea. No more avoiding straps.
Heather
October 21, 2022
great idea!
Veronica Rosenshein
October 21, 2022
Such a neat tip
Gail
October 21, 2022
What a great tip. Thanks.
Rachel
October 21, 2022
I will have to try this soon. I have been a fan of Liberty Jane and PixieFaie since 2010. Thank for all the tips you provide.
Dana
October 21, 2022
I need to try that next time!!!😮😍
LindaHH
October 21, 2022
I usually use a hemostat for turning but I will certainly try the bobby pin method.
LindaHH
October 21, 2022
I usually use a hemostat for turning but I will certainly try the bobby pin method.
Kathi Early
October 21, 2022
Great idea!! Thanks!
rosemary anderman
October 21, 2022
who would have thought? kiddos
Sarah
October 21, 2022
excellent tip!
katy
October 21, 2022
Wow! what a great tip. I have always avoided this kind of strap but I am going to give this a try!
Dorothy Reynolds
October 21, 2022
A great idea, but not sure I have any Bobby pins around. I will check to see where I can get them tho! Thanks
PJ
October 20, 2022
I love your site!
Monica H
October 14, 2022
Thanks for the tip.
Dawn J
October 14, 2022
Thanks for the tip
Donna Lsndrrth
October 14, 2022
This is an awesome tip. I would never have thought of doing this. It is going to be very helpful. Thank you Cinnamon for the awesome giveaways.❤️😘
Martha
October 14, 2022
I would love tips on how to sew on knit fabric.
Linda
October 14, 2022
New tip to me, will try this!
Lynn Craig
October 14, 2022
Brilliant! Can’t wait to try it.
Brandi Smith
October 14, 2022
This is a great tip!
Matt
October 14, 2022
Neat tip
Maria
October 14, 2022
Great tips!
Shaphan
October 14, 2022
So smart!!
Regan
October 14, 2022
So helpful thank you.
Barb
October 12, 2022
This is a good tip to use.
Julie
October 11, 2022
This was an absolutely wonderful tip…hopefully I’ll tackle some of those spaghetti straps in so many cute patterns!
I too would love a tutorial on hemming circle skirts, plus any help with zippers would be appreciated! Your website is awesome!
Louise Houdelette
October 11, 2022
Great tip. Now I have to borrow a bobby pin as I don’t have any.
Denise Darby
October 11, 2022
This is very handy tip to have under one’s belt.
Allison T
October 11, 2022
This is so helpful! I always use a safety pin, but those are often bulky.
Louise
October 11, 2022
Great tip
Alison
October 10, 2022
Wow thank you for the great tip!
S
October 08, 2022
Great tip, thanks for the tutorial!
LizT
October 07, 2022
Great tip, and bobby pins are easy to find.
Donna B
October 07, 2022
I did it! Works better than any other way I’ve tried.
Cindy
October 07, 2022
I like that they showed us how to turn such a narrow tube.
Anne Marie
October 07, 2022
Thanks for the great tip.
Barbara
October 07, 2022
I totally love this tip. I sew a lot of small doll clothes so any of their straps are difficult to turn. I’ve seen them done several ways on my patterns but none of them please me. This one is fabulous! I just need to remember to add a little to the end of the strap when cutting it out. Once it is turned I can use the pattern piece to make sure it’s the right length. I would like some tips on turning collars for smaller doll clothes. I always seem to have trouble keeping them from looking pointed in places.
Bobbi
October 07, 2022
Thank you! I always appreciate the tips!
Kristie L.
October 07, 2022
Thank you for the tip!!
Ingela
October 07, 2022
Great tip!
Bev G
October 07, 2022
Well this tip makes things easier!
PAMELA
October 07, 2022
I usually use a small safety pin.
Donna
October 07, 2022
What different fabrics go together and which ones drape nicely also sewing on sheer fabrics.
Marsha
October 07, 2022
These how-to videos really help!
Diane R
October 07, 2022
Problem solved!
Jill
October 07, 2022
This is cute. Never would have thought to turn that small of a project inside out.
Sara D.
October 07, 2022
Great tip,thank you! :)
Maureen Andrews
October 06, 2022
This will be a big help!
LAURIE
October 06, 2022
It’s amazing how easy it is to use the bobby pin. Love it!
geri
October 06, 2022
Love this much easier than turning tubes
Katherine
October 06, 2022
Neat!
Kimberly Chidsey
October 05, 2022
This is a great tip. My favorite way of turning straps is using the smallest turning tools you can buy and it works like a charm!
Melinda
October 05, 2022
Wow this has got to be one of the niftiest tips I’ve seen in a LONG time!! I’ve tried several different ones, but for such a tiny tube this is a game changer!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Terry
October 05, 2022
Thank you for sharing the trick.
Sewbig
October 05, 2022
Love the bobby pin method. It makes the tiniest tubes – perfect for Keepers’ outfits.
Beitrys
October 05, 2022
Ive used all of these at one time or another and i still try to avoid tubes.
Cynthia C
October 05, 2022
I’ve used safety pins, tube turners and bodkins but never a bobby pin. I’ll have to find one!
Heidi
October 31, 2022
Great tip.