Yesterday was a busy day bag making, and while I was in the process of making the handles I made a discovery. Now this may not be new to you, and it's not rocket science but it was like a light bulb went off in my head. So I thought I'd share it with you all today.
You know how some handle directions tell you to make a tube, press the seam open, and turn right side out and press so that the seams runs down the middle? The majority of times, you'll have interfacing attached to the handle, which makes the process a little tricky to say the least. Plus you end up with press marks where you don't want them that are difficult to remove and crinkly interfacing from over pressing.
So my light bulb moment, I was on to number 10 handle when I glanced away from the ironing board and saw my broom, (don't ask, that's an entirely different story). So I decided to insert the broom handle into my handle tube and press the seam open. Voila no pressed creases where I didn't want them and a nice seam pressed open, and no burnt finger tips. This sent me into the shed and I found an old mop that I no longer use. Remove all the hardware from it and I have a terrific rod for handle pressing. I don't suggest that you use a plastic handle, unless you want to spend hours removing plastic from your bag handle. A short piece of dowel would also work just as well, but if you don't have anything else on hand a broom handle will do the trick.
I'll hopefully be back tomorrow with the promised reveal of the sneak peek.
Linda.
18 comments:
What a clever idea! I'm off to chop a mop handle! I am so easily distracted by wonderful blog ideas!
cool idea! now i can use my broom for more than just sweeping and flying on.
julie :)
great thought! thanks for sharing!
Although I don't normally make tube handles for my bags--I have done it in the past and use a yardstick inserted in the tube for a flat ironing "surface". I can see it now...broom handles being choppped off all over blog world.
Definitely going to give this a try...especially after yesterday...thanks!
Well it's nice to know that a broom can be "fun"... LOL Thanks for the tip!
A good one to remember. Thank you for sharing!
Great idea! I use a long piece of cardboard cut slightly smaller than the tube. Slip it in, position it where you want the seam to go and press and then pull it out.
Have a wonderful day!
Paulette
Thanks for the tip. Good idea! :)
Brilliant!
Great idea! I love when thinking goes outside the box...and works!
You so smart!!! Much better to use the broom in the sewing room that what it was originally intended for....lol
You've just given mop handles a new life, Linda!
Cheers!
Necessity is the mother of invention, right? Sounds like a great tip to me!
What a great idea Linda...don't you just LOVE lightbulb moments....I had one the other day but now I can't remember what it was....???
Or a piece of doweling.
Great idea Linda - I will be using it on your wonderful bag handle technique from now on!
Thanks for the hint I had to remake a handle today for the same reson with the inter facing. I will have to try that one with the next one. Hugs Bec
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