My optimistic and confident mother used to assure me that what mattered was being beautiful on the inside. I was 1) mystified about how to achieve this inside make-over and 2) skeptical that “inside beauty” would get me very far or make me popular.
I am, however, completely convinced that beauty on the inside is a major plus for garment sewing and far more achievable than an elusive soul renovation.
Back to my mom: she lived her long life with one sewing machine – a workhorse Kenmore from the 1940’s – and it sewed only forward and backward. She was not interested in sewing or any handwork, for that matter, being a reader who adored good conversations and the company of interesting people. When sewing was necessary, however, she stepped up to the plate and could make a sofa slipcover with piping by copying the old one. We were impressed -- a common reaction to Olga.
When I was given my first and current sewing machine, it was a marvel of the modern age whose claim to fame was the capacity to make zigzag stitches. I was promised quick and easy seam finishing The reality was often a tangle of uneven chicken scratches and chewed-up seam allowances. This stalwart machine has more than made up for the lack of successful fancy stitches by maintaining perfect tension for going-on-a year now.
Yes, I have tried pinking.
At first, a pinked edge has a certain jaunty charm
But after a few washings, we find ourselves
definitely not beautiful on the inside
Enter the Hong Kong binding, a chance to bring unexpected color or subtle harmony to the inside of a garment.
Each seam allowance is fully enclosed in a strip of fabric cut on the bias.
You can buy pre-made bias tape of course, but it is rather stiff, and the width/color range is limited. If you decide to make your own, your collection of fabric takes on a gorgeous, new purpose.
I love making my own bias binding from fabric that suits the project in flexibility, width and color.
With a folding bias ruler https://www.missouriquiltco.com/products/the-bias-ruler the process of cutting on the bias is an orderly task.
Seamwork has a clear tutorial for the binding process itself.
These seams feel good on your skin and can create a sort of armature for the garment.
Even if you are the only one who knows that your seams are Hong Kong-bound,
you can have beauty on the inside.
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