So how do I....?

[kiltedwolfman]

Hey folks, I've lately started making sporrans out of any kind of material I can get my hands on....I think I've gone mad! However I need a bit of advice from some of the more experienced DIY'ers since I am rather a novice when it comes to all things sewn.
What are some good ways to cover an exposed seam so that it A, looks nice, B, doesn't frey?, and C, can be done when sewing in a curve like the flap of the sporran.
So far I have simply started by sewing thins inside out, and then turning them outside right and it works to a degree but doesn't have the clean look I'm aiming for. I've also used seam sealer but it leaves a visible hardness that takes away from the work.
Any info or advice, and especially pics since I'm a visual learner would be excellent.

Cheers.

[Smayniac]

What material in particular is causing problems for you? I made a Rob Roy style sporran out of black canvas some months ago. I did just as you say and sewed it inside out, it's probably my most often used sporran and I've had no problems with fraying. If you are seeking a more finished interior, you might try sewing bias tape or twill tape over the raw edges before you turn the seams to the inside. One thing I do want to change about mine when I make another is to sew the eyelets for the drawcord rather than using small grommets, several of which have pulled through.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/c...x.html?t=41704

No construction pics here, just the finished product.
Bob

[vorpallemur]

You can prevent seams from fraying by either using a material that doesn't fray, or by covering the seam (with a lining, for instance) or by enclosing the seam.

Materials that don't fray are leather and fake leathers, vinyls, and most fleeces. there are others, too.

Linings have the advantage of hiding all the work, so no one can see the seams. they've got other advantages: they protect the fabric from the stuff in the bag, you can make them a different color (you can use a lighter lining than the material the bag is made of, so that you can find things in them, for instance!)

Enclosing the seam can be done in several ways. One is with an overlocker (serger), which binds the edge in loops of thread. A zig-zag stitch on a regular machine can work for this, on some fabrics. Second is what's called a "french seam", which is two seams next to each other, with a fold. To do this, put the fabric right sides together, sew a seam with your normal seam allowance. then turn the fabric around the seam, so the wrong sides are together, and sew another seam. The raw edge ends up enclosed by the second seam. You can also use a binding tape, for what's called a "hong kong" finish.

Get thee to your local library (or bookstore), and look at sewing books. the big tomes, like the Vogue book, will show all these techniques. Older books might well be better for this: modern trend is "use a serger". Before the mid 70's, overlocks weren't available to home sewers, and before the mid 80s they were very uncommon, so stuff published before then will not tell you to use one.

[kiltedwolfman]

Thanks for the advice, so far I've done everything by hand so serging might be a problem, then again it might just take a little more time LOL.

[vorpallemur]

Thanks for the advice, so far I've done everything by hand so seging might be a problem, then again it might just take a little more time LOL.

If you're doing work by hand, binding with a tape, or lining are the least effort methods.

[kiltedwolfman]

I have a few prototypes on the go and will post pics soon. I'm working with light fabrics and have been doubling them for thickness. Once I get the idea down pat I'll pick up a quarter side of leather and start hammering out leather ones.

pics to follow!...
... and here they are!
[IMG][/IMG]