Flashes: on the bias or no?

[chasem]

I only recently saw a picture of flashes cut on the bias, rather than vertical/horizontal. I really liked the look, but I'm not sure if it was just because it was different.

The ones I saw were in a picture somewhere here, but I don't recall where exactly. Two questions, does anyone else have some pictures of flashes cut on the bias, and what is the opinion of others here of flashes cut this way?

I'm making a couple kilts/flashes for some people, and was debating which way to do the flashes.

[sydnie7]

Depending on the size of the sett, I think they could look great on the bias. Smaller sett would be better, IMHO. Haven't noticed it in any pictures here but now you'll have me looking!

[The Wizard of BC]

Both Barb T. and I did a little tutorial on making flashes. We do them slightly differently so both ways and options were shown. I cut almost all of my flashes on the bias.
It takes up a lot more fabric to make flashes on the bias so if you have very little fabric left over from your Kilt it may not be an option.


Here is Barb's tutorial.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=32660


Here is one from the F-HCAG

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...hlight=flashes


Here's my bias flashes tutorial.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...hlight=flashes

[Panache]

If you can spare the fabric they look really sharp!

Having them on the bias gives them a look that allude to the custom of wearing argyll hose.

Cheers

Jamie

[ChattanCat]

The difference between straight flashes and bias flashes it the amount of material. Cutting on the bias takes 4+ setts of material. If the extra material from the top band is wide enough then I would recommend flashes on the bias. If you don't have enough material then use the cutouts to make the flashes. I prefer the bias flashes myself.

Here is an example:

[Pleater]

Another difference is that material cut on the bias will stretch more than the same length cut on the warp or weft of the fabric.

This might make them more comfortable when worn, though the stitching might be a problem as it might snap under the tension. Using a zigzag stitch on a sewing machine might give enough stretch, or there are some machines which do straight stitches with built in elasticity for things such as knitted fabric.

Anne the Pleater

[ChattanCat]

Another difference is that material cut on the bias will stretch more than the same length cut on the warp or weft of the fabric.

This might make them more comfortable when worn, though the stitching might be a problem as it might snap under the tension. Using a zigzag stitch on a sewing machine might give enough stretch, or there are some machines which do straight stitches with built in elasticity for things such as knitted fabric.

Anne the Pleater

If your using steam a seam to hold the flashes together, it is pretty stable for sewing.

[The Wizard of BC]

If you look in my tutorial you will see that I eliminate stretch with the fusible non-roll Waistband interfacing.

Once that stuff is stuck on it will not stretch any more.

[pdcorlis]

I really love the look of flashes cut on the bias - very handsome!