Sewing curves

**Big Jim Mac** · 10-14-2010, 21:26

Can anyone tell me how to hem a curved edge? Also, how would you put grosgrain on such an edge? I would like to make my tarp along the lines of the Warbonnet ones but can't seem to fathom how this is done. Tried it on a scrap but didn't have much luck.

**JohnSawyer** · 10-14-2010, 23:18

Instead of grosgrain, maybe use Bias Tape? It's supposed to be flexible to go around curves...

Never tried it, though.. I just hemmed my tarp...

Ramblinrev rolled a thin piece of grosgrain in his tarp edge hem as I recall reading...

Though, some say Warbonnet guy has a spirit guide make his gear...

**packeagle** · 10-15-2010, 00:07

I haven't tried it but I would think it might leave little ripples on the folded side because that side is slightly larger than the curved side. The only idea i would have is start from the center and work outward towards the ends of the curve leaving that little extra fabric hanging over the edge to be cut off.

**hiker_DC** · 10-15-2010, 00:24

Curves are hard. What I do is to do a series of very short straight lines (1/4 to 1/2 inch long) around the curve. A little lip of fabric will appear where the bend in the fabric is. I fold this over and sew it into the hem. Hope that makes sense. If your curve is not too tight, it will look pretty good. If the curve is pretty sharp, then it will probably pucker the fabric. Practice on a spare piece of fabric and good luck. Just remember, DIY is supposed to be functional, not to win beauty contests.

Doc

**creativeKayt** · 10-15-2010, 00:46

Ahhhh, curves. It really depends on what you are sewing and how sharp the curve is, but fabric is pretty flexible and you can get it to cheat, a bit. Sometimes, I won't pin stuff, but instead, will slowly move the fabric together, so that it lines up, as I go. Other times, if the curve is really sharp, you will have to clip or dart stuff. You can also use a very loose gathered stitch to hem a curve.

If using grosgrain on an edge, it really helps to use an iron and press it in half, so you have a good line to put right on the edge of the fabric being edged.

Here's a video on some curve sewing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlwVGoL4zV0

And another: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXqtf7fun20&feature=fvw

Tell ya what, tomorrow, I'll shoot some video of me adding grosgrain to a curve. It might help. I dunno. But, it's worth a shot. Roughly how sharp is the curve you are sewing to?

Stay tuned.

**Big Jim Mac** · 10-15-2010, 06:06

I like the idea of doing a series of short straights, will experiment with that. I'm not making anything for real yet, just trying to decide how to do my tarp. I could go straight but like the looks of those cat styles. The curve would be pretty gentle for a long tarp edge. Thinking too instead of laying down the pucker I could cut it and remove the extra material, put an angle into the 2 pieces. Can't even imagine getting the curve into the grosgrain, I tried that last night on a small piece and it did not cooperate! I'm using 1" stuff, guessing something much smaller would work a lot better. Thanks for the video links, I'll take a look at those.

**Ramblinrev** · 10-15-2010, 06:16

I do not use grosgrain but rather twill tape. A similar item but much thinner and more flexible. My biggest problem with grosgrain is the weave makes it want to go in a straight line. Bias tape is very lightweight and much of it is primarily cotton.

Sewing around curves is best done slowly with a shorter than normal stitch length. It's a bit of a pain no matter you do. But the self satisfaction is great.

**sr1355** · 10-15-2010, 08:51

How tight are the curves.... I made a tarp with 8" deep cat cut and had no real issues... worked in sections of about 6-8" at a time and kinda rolled the curve through the thread injector... Did a double stitched hem so I didn't put grosgrain on as the hem looked great by itself...

**jeepcachr** · 10-15-2010, 09:12

Should I hem if I am attaching grosgrain?

**Ramblinrev** · 10-15-2010, 09:15

Originally Posted by jeepcachr

Should I hem if I am attaching grosgrain?

Two schools of thought about that. A hem will make the edge more resistant to raveling out and releasing the grosgrain. However, Treated fabric should not ravel in the first place so it may not be needed. You're building it. You get to decide.