Lately, I’ve been trying to figure out purposes for a bunch of sewing supplies that I’ve collected. I purchase mixed lots of supplies on eBay, and always get some random stuff that I never have used before mixed in. When searching the interwebs, I couldn’t find straight answers for any of my questions. So, here’s what I’m gonna do. I’m going to list the stuff here on this post, and provide an explanation, all in one place! YES! No more multiple searches!

I also thought that posting this might help out some others asking the same questions. Anyways, here we go!

Bias Tape: Fabric strips of varying widths, with pre-folded edges. Suitable for curved hems, or as a casing. Double-fold type is folded in half (off center) for quick use as binding.

There are three types of bias tapes. They are:

• Single-Fold Bias Tape
• Wide Bias Tape
• Double-Fold Bias Tape

I have all three! I know what I can use the single-fold and double-fold bias tape for. However, I don’t know what I would use the wide bias tape for. hmm… Anyone know what wide bias tape is used for?

This video by Angry Chicken is amazing. For someone not having a clue what bias tape is or how to use it, this video saved my life. I watched it over and over until I realized what the heck I was doing. YAY!

Still lost? Check out:

Bias Tape: What is it and Why? Q & A from About.com

Sewing Tips for Sewing Bias Tape from Denver Fabrics

Simplicity’s tips on Bias Tape

All of them are great resources and will help you fully understand what you’re working with. The Denver Fabrics link is my ultimate fav’.

Seam Binding: A straight and narrow tape (strip of fabric) used for finishing hem edges or a hem to keep fabric from raveling.

It comes in woven or lace form. The woven type is stable, and can also be used to stay seams. Lace has stretch and is ideal for knits.

Hem Facing: A wide, flexible tape cut to the width (approximately 2 inches) most often used for the job. Available in a bias strip with edges pre-folded to the inside and in a more decorative lace construction. These prepackaged hem facings are useful when there is insufficient hem depth for a turned-up hem in a garment or a wish to eliminate bulk in a hem made from a heavy fabric. Bias hem facings can also be used as a wide casing or pressed in half for use as a binding. Both bias and lace types are available in an assortment of colors.

Twill Tape: A woven stable tape used mainly for staying and strengthening seams, especially in tailoring. Usually made of cotton, twill tape comes in black and white, in widths of 1/4. 1/2, 3/4, and 1 inch.

Horsehair Braid: A stiffening made from transparent nylon strands that is used to finish the bottom of hems so as to emphasize the flare of the skirt; most often found on long evening wear. Available in 1/2 and 1 inch widths; wide braid may have a pre-sewed ease thread along one edge.

I hope we’ve all learned something new today

My fiance and I wanted all of our switch plates to match, so we literally unscrewed all of the old switch plates and installed brand new ones in our house. I was about to throw away the old ones because I thought making new and exciting covers for them would be too difficult and time consuming. Actually, making switch plate covers are really easy!

Earlier, I wrote a post titled DIY Switch Plate and Outlet Cover Tutorials – which will give you TONS more ideas for making covers! This post is just about what I did with mine.

Materials:

• Switch Plate (I used a metal one)
• Sandpaper
• Primer Spray Paint
• Color of your Choice Spray Paint
• Images/stuff to Mod Podge your Switch Plate
• Scissors/X-acto Knife
• Mod Podge and Brush

Instructions:

Step 1: Sand the switch plate all over with your sandpaper, so that the paint will stick to it better.

Step 2: Lay out a big piece of cardboard that you can use to spray paint on outside. I had a lot of switch plates, so I just did them all at once! Spray paint with your primer.

Lay out your switch plates

Spray paint with your primer - I also altered a tin

Step 3: After the primer has dried, take your colored spray paint and spray paint it the same way you did with the primer. Let it dry. For the screws, tape off the “screw” part and paint the tops of the screws the same way you did with the main switch plate part.

Step 4: Pick out clip art or anything else you’d like to Mod Podge to the switch plate. I used a vintage image. Cut it out and place it on your cover to get an idea of where you’d like to place it. Take your time cutting – it will be very obvious if you do it quickly! For really detailed places, try using an X-acto knife.

Step 5: Using spray adhesive, spray the back of the image to be placed onto the switch plate, and then place it. Doing this keeps the clip art in place while you Mod Podge.

Step 6: Working from the back of the switch plate, use your X-acto knife to cut an X in the rectangle where the actual switch will go, making little triangles that you can fold in from the front to the back. If your image covers the screw holes, make X’s there are well, folding them in.

Step 7: Mod Podge the switch plate and the screw tops and let them dry. All done! Easy, right?

Vintage Woman Switch Plate

I made this switch plate specifically for DIYscene’s Black and Metal October swap – the recipient loved it!