By logging into your account, you agree to our. hehehe You rock. I had no idea what a selvage or grain was and was feeling a little in over my head! From About.com: “Definition: A fabric with nap is one what usually has a pile and will look different shades from different angles. Tutorials like this one are wonderful and so easy to understand!! I have always wanted to try using Bias Tape, and now, I feel I can! If the threads won't come apart, it's the selvage. I really appreciate this because I have heard of bias not never understood what it means. I'm so glad I found you blog and am following you now. Thank you. have a great week ! You just have to align the selvages with it and cut off the extra. Then, measure from that cut line 15″ over, and make a second slice. I want to use a stretch material and make my own bias tape for this cap. please tell me…. Like if a pattern calls for any fabric with nap? LOL). Keep up the good work. I began sewing not too long ago and was glad to read these instructions. The first couple of times I tried to make a bias binding it was a horrible time. I have seen tutorials use bias tape for straps of aprons or garments. Going to attempt sewing a “simple” tote bag today, at least the pattern says it should only take a few hours. i know this is an older blog post, but i found it via a google search when inquiring what “cut on the bias” means. The two most common selvage stitches are the chain-edge selvage and the slipped-garter edge, both of which produce a nice edge. I think. To rotary cut perfectly straight strips from selvedge to selvedge, fold the fabric in half and align the selvedge edges. Thank you. :). I really appreciate your taking the time to post them. […]. That’s very well explained. I don't cut off the selvages, but I try not to include any selvage fabric in my cut-out pieces, because they're a different weight than the rest of the fabric, and often more tightly stitched. My sister, an accomplished quilter, has explained it to me at least 20 times and I still didn’t get it. Sometimes you will see it waver just a bit but it pretty much gives you a straight line. The brain injury will cause me to look into my knowledge for things I know and find uncertainty where confidence should be. I think it is a personal prefence I have never had any problem when I didn't cut it of so it's what mood I'm in at the time. But that depends on if you like the look of a raw edge or not. Smooth the fabric making sure that the fold runs along the lengthwise grain of the fabric. Your tips really help! Sew the waistband’s inside selvage edge in place by stitching in the ditch from the garment’s right side. Not every one has a cutting mat. Start in the bottom left corner. Use the measurement guides on the mat to line up the ruler to the length of the rectangle or square you’d like to cut. If you cut right along the threads of fabric that are running perpendicular to the selvage, you will get a straight line……and will make a nice 90 degree angled corner.  In fact, sometimes the print of the fabric (like stripes) are printed onto the fabric a little crooked and will not run exactly perpendicular or parallel to the selvage.  But if you look closely, the grain still will……….and you can use that as a guide. I would not cut it off as a matter of course. Next, measure the same length from the selvage edge to the other end of the grainline (arrow) and place a second pin through both layers to secure. It’s simply a strip of fabric that’s been cut along the “bias” and folded. Follow all the steps above until you get to the final cut. Save your selvage edges {or just cut them off the collection of fabrics you already have} Cut 1/2 inch into the print of the fabric. I also measure them the salvage edge before I cut to make sure everything is on grain. Bear in mind that the fabric store probably didn’t cut perfectly across the bolt, so you can’t assume the cut edge of the fabric is perpendicular to the selvedge – it’s easier to to find the grain if you *first* square off the cut edge of the fabric to make sure it’s at a right angle to the edge. Cut the strip with your rotary cutter. I used to work in a mill so I know how tight and solid the selvages can be. Natural Seagrass Rug Installation Guide | Pink Mitten, Deborah J Sews | A True Beginner's Guide for Sewing Fabric Boxes • Deborah J Sews. What my DH said about higher fabric prices... For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts, Offline Events, Announcements, Discussions, Ott light 50% off Plus 20% off more for veterans. Where can I find some? You provide me with a straightforward visual example and explanation of what they all mean. Marlie @ Crafting, Cooking, and Cats says, Thanks! Since Minky has the tendency to stretch slightly, I have found if you leave yourself extra Minky around all your edges you’ll have a little extra in case you have any pulling. getting fuzz from cutting batting off cutting mat. Thank you… you wrote all of it out in a way I could understand. I think I remember in my 4H class that you had to cut it off or it could pucker. Say if you are sewing with fabric that has flowers on it, then that is sewing with a nap. The chain-edge selvage is made by alternating rows of slipping the first stitch knitwise and knitting the last stitch, with rows of slipping the first stitch purlwise and purling the last stitch. What an excellent post! Nap is a fabric either like velour where when tou touch it one way its rough and the other smooth. I am VERY grateful!!! When I buy a piece of fabric I remove the selvedges along both edges by folding the fabric in the correct direction to cut them off as full-length strips. Repeat this step for the right cut edge. just went back and read ALL of them and loved every one! I really like your plain & simple approach to defining terms in the “layman” terminology LOL I also appreciate you bunching the words up together to give definitions where they are interrelated to one another when actually sewing :) BIG HELP FOR ME! Much needed information for someone who is really interested in sewing, but gets confused!! The selvage edges are the outside edges of the fabric on the bolt....usually white with writing on it. LOL. If it is cotton or a straight woven fabric I nip about 1 inch in from the selvage and tear it. Now I feel more confident to enter the world of sewing! I've never really understood those terms, but now I think I do. NO one ever so clearly explained these three terms. Fold the fabric lengthwise selvage to selvage. Put some weights on the fabric or fix it with the painter’s tape so the fabric doesn’t move. :). Sometimes it isn't that noticeable and other times it is just amazing how much tighter it is. Selvage edges occur when crosswise grain threads, called the weft threads, turn back and forth as they are woven along the length of weft threads, which stay in place (secured at their ends) during the weaving process.Tiny loops are formed where the weft threads make each turn, and it is the little loops that keep the fabric's edges intact. Thanks! I'd like to look extra posts like this. (I really didn’t want to try to ask her again! Thanks in advance. Always cut off selvage edges in seams, they pucker and don’t give like the rest of the fabric. If you feel like a moron, ignore that feeling…..you’re really just confused…..8-). Or it can refer to a fabric that has a pattern where say horses on it only go one way. No. If I want to use them, I sew them with the finished edge covering the cut edge ( kind of like shingles) I use them for pencil cases or similar where it doesn't matter if they are thicker. I have seen several post where members are using selvages to make various quilted items with. For more on what a bias is, I refer you to this article. Thank you for that simple, easy to understand explanation! Thanks for the spraystarch tip. This helps me tons!! The selvage doesn't move or stretch the same as the rest of the fabric so you'll want to cut them off (or square up) before cutting … So, go to your selvage stack and look for some shorter selvages. Read more: https://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_napped_fabric#ixzz26CtF3CFL”. Cut off the selvage edge about 2″ from the edge; Store your selvage edges in a container until you are ready to sew with them; Press selvage edges well with a steam iron, and use a bit of starch – the fabric selvage can be wavy in spots; Try using the foundation piecing technique to sew selvage edges into a larger piece of fabric for projects; Try using selvage edges for string piecing quilts I just don't get what I'm doing wrong. Gosh, I hope I got that right!! The way you do this is by making a cut a little past the selvage (see above), taking a crosswise thread and pulling it until it gathers the fabric. English is not my mother tongue and when I read word like “bias” ,”selvage”… I wasn’t very sure I had really understood. Selvage edges don’t fray so it’s quick and easy! Ready to have Debra quilt for you? I have a little box started for the next post I see needing selvedges. I'm actually getting ready to attempt my first ever quilt for my son's birthday and this has already helped a ton! Draping: Never. Thank you so much for such an informative article! Before I did that, it didn’t stay creased, flopped all over, and was utterly frustrating. Pressing the Seam is Critical Move the edge so it’s on the 0’’ mark. When cutting out fabric the with nap and the without nap directions are usually different to allow all of the with nap pattern pieces to lie in the same direction. It’s really nice finding people like yourself who are so willing to share their knowledge with us rookies. Thank you so much for this information. I’m sure there will be more like me coming along! WAY TO GO! What does nap mean? Thanks for all of the great tips!! I'll go look at the other tips. Hello my family member! That is the first time I have understood what the terms bias and grain ACTUALLY mean. Making my first dress! I am a sewer but not an avid sewer and I never knew what the bias was! As I've discovered, sewing is a new language. I feel more confident now having read your post. This means the selvage edge is tighter then the rest of the fabric. Thank you so much for this post! I have gone through several times to make sure I've got everything up top where it is supposed to be…that it's tightened and whatnot…but it still does it. Sep 2, 2020 - Explore Ruth Goertzen's board "Selvage Edge Quilts/Projects", followed by 116 people on Pinterest. Thanks. Looking for a creative project I bought fabric & pattern, organized them and panic! Good info and very clear to me. I cut off just the selvage not any extra fabric. Thank you so much! hello ! Sometimes it's harder to distinguish the selvage. Thanks so much for the tips; Jesus Christ Bless you! I probably should have looked these terms up on day one. Thanks for the easy to understand tips! Leave Excess Minky Around All Edges. I just purchased my very first sewing machine (well, second…but I broke the first one before I really could ever use it) and have had a problem with 'bird-nesting' in the bobbin that goes underneath. Thank you! It didn't take and now I want to learn again this was a great primer thanks. If you cut the selvage it will let the rest of the fabric stretch to it's proper size. Be cautious about selvedges that are a little more tightly woven, they are the ones that can cause trouble. Note: even if you only plan to dry-clean the garment, it may still shrink the selvedge. The selvage line is generally always straight. GET YOUR FABRIC ON GRAIN: … Location: Out searching for some sunshine :-), I don't like having to cut off the extra fabric along the selvedges to make them useable LOL. Otherwise, you’ll need to remove the selvedge and hem it. That is just wonderful! If you cut right along that diagonal fold, you are cutting on the bias……or a 45 degree angle to the selvage. Thank you for these tips! FABULOUS!!! Well, just so you know that your information is still extremely useful, here I am to tell you. {some people do more, I like to be consistent and do 1/2 inch each time} Cut your purse pattern pieces out of white cotton Nap can refer additionally to other surfaces that look like the surface of a napped cloth, such as the surface of a felt or beaver hat.”. Thank you SO much! so helpful! I once posted on this site that I had cut off my selvages for some reason, and at least one person said, "Why would you do that?" Selvages may look nice and straight but actually they aren't. At this point, slice off the fold first. It depends on the machine you have, so check the manual to be sure, but on my machine, stitch length is adjusted by a knob on the front of a machine. And unless you’ve heard them used before……they probably sound like a big ‘ol mess.  And may really frustrate you.  Uggh. Thanks for sharing! I will be much happier in my sewing now. lol. Thank God for the internet. I remember these terms from when I was a kid and my aunt tried to teach me to sew. Faux furs, velour, velvet, suedes (real and synthetics), and some fleeces have a nap. My tiny little Joann's does not have fabric that cute. Great!! It depends on the fabric as to how I remove the selvages. Am I supposed to? Pull a thread out of each cut edge if you are working with woven fabrics. I'm kind of at a standstill here. I've asked a couple other people and just got confused! Always take off the very edge. Now I know it is safe to proceed! Any tips? Thanks for compiling the great descriptions and visuals :-). I am super new to sewing and trying to learn as much as I can and it is not easy—it is all so overwhelming but fun too. Just cut/rip it off and make a proper hem. Thanks for this info.. I’m a “learn as I do” with sewing and this info was much needed.. :). Save your selvage edges {or just cut them off the collection of fabrics you already have} Cut 1/2 inch into the print of the fabric. Do most quilters cut of selvages? Your goal is to push the gathers until you reach the other side/selvage of the fabric. I'm getting ready to do my first project. I plan to read these notes over and over until I don’t need to keep referring to them each time I am working on a project. The selvage edges of fabric are made up of the lengthwise and crosswise threads that have been tightly woven, and measure about 1/2" wide and appear in a lighter thread color than the main fabric color or print. Not just the backing! I've been sewing a few years and you made some things clear, thank you! It all makes sense now!! Is my computer playing up or is there no text on this blog entry? I am making a project for a contest and wanted to make raw edge ruffles. Thank you very much, it makes more sense now. LOL. So line up one selvage edge of the fabric with one of the edges of the table. That is why it is best to trim the selvage edge. Well done! {some people do more, I like to be consistent and do 1/2 inch each time} Cut your purse pattern out of white cotton; Finally I found a way to do it that is a little confusing but once you get it is a great way to make a TON of binding that is cut on the bias. Its for your own and the other people in the road. Just wanted to say thanks, How helpful! The most accurate way to do so is by using a ruler. Machine is out already! Now if I could just get over my fear of using my sewing machine… ;) Great tutorial! Once I found bias tape, I fell in LOVE!!! Which then in turn makes you feel like some kind of moron who can't sew! I think they might cut off the selvedges to use them on a pattern that is popular now. It has been many years since I sewed and I need to make something to wear at my daughter’s wedding. I'm saving mine but they are in bits and pieces, after I cut mypieces from the strips or whatever, then I remove the selvage, I cut the selvage off first two times and both times my piece was a wee bit too short for one more piece, so I had waste. LOVE it! I need to just bite the bullet and do it but I'm kind of scared. The reason I ask is because fabric cut on bias always ends up with lot more scraps than cut along the grain. Thank God I found you to clarify my thoughts and confirm that I do in fact know what I thought I knew. THANK YOU so much for a detailed, yet simple, explanation. And from Wiki Answers: “a fabric with a textured surface that looks different depending on how it is viewed or positioned. It's like the clouds have parted! Thank you, I claim to be able to sew but I never understood those "technical" terms nor was I able to fully use my sewing abilities until now. don’t drive if you are drunk. Thank you so much for this information. It stretches fairly good. thank goodness for blogs with pictures which usually helps when they throw these terms out to you…and thanks for Make it & Love it:)Ruthie:)SA TX. Once both kids are in school in the fall full time I am going to just have to bite the bullet too!! So if you have a piece of fabric laying down flat, and your selvage is along the bottom…….. Then you can fold edge of the fabric on the left, down to the selvage edge, creating a diagonal fold. :) nice blog – i do not sew, but was curious about the “bias phrase,” as i once had a dress altered, and the seamstress mentioned it was “cut on the bias.” i’ve always wondered what the relevance was, and finally found out, thanks to you. This would be me, lol! Prepare to use selvages The ways you can use a selvage depend on whether it is uncut (flat) or fringed. See more ideas about selvage, quilts, string quilts. Maybe I can try a pattern out someday now. Seams: You’re ok if you make little clippies through the selvedge every 2-4″. Your explanations, especially with pictures were so very helpful! I was pretty sure that cutting on the bias would work, but I had a hard time finding anything that would say that. Better late than never. Velvet and velour fabric are prime examples of fabric with nap. Is there a benefit to cutting them off? People tried to teach me, even way back in sewing class during high school, but this was the best explanation to make it simple and straightforward without going over my head. 1) I never cut off the selvedge joining fabric, if it is tight long the edge you can snip into it to release the tension.. 2) Again on the lining I would only cut off the selvedge when trimming a panel to the right size. Wow! Your email address will not be published. Sewing with selvages from Craftsy . It's up to you how wide you cut them, you may want to cut them wider and see more of the original fabric design. Voilá, two pieces 50″ x 15″! Here is the tutorial I made for it: https://www.honeybearlane.com/2010/08/making-binding-tutorial.html. If you cut right along that diagonal fold, you are cutting … Use spray starch, and lots of it! I’ve been sewing for years, have a project that needs red piping and all the red i’ve found is “to red” So I am going to make it myself. STEP 5: Squaring up a Corner (90 degree angle) I feel exactly the same way!!! The selvage is the tightly woven edge on either side of a width of fabric. In most fabric stores, you will find fabric folded in half lengthwise and then wound around a bolt.  And then you’ll see rows and rows of bolts of fabric.  When the fabric store cuts fabric for you, they will cut you off a piece that is perpendicular to the selvage.  So you will will always have a selvage along both sides of your piece of fabric. :) i can't find anything anywhere that doesn't just say, 'take your pants, pinch an inch and sew…' which i tried, about 5 times, and ruined a pair of pants as this never worked. Your hands feed the material in to the needle area while your foot presses the pedal. On the yellow fabric pictured, the selvage isn't printed. I see now that it should be cut on the grain as it will act as a stabilizer at the edge so it doesn’t stretch out of shape. Thanks so much for sharing this info! Cut off the fabric above the ruler. Ok now i get it! And even though knits are woven, they still have a grain to them. The selvedge is usually cut off before the project pieces are cut out, but in some cases, if you need a half inch more fabric that will eventually go into a seam, it can be used in an emergency. if you are sewing two pieces of cloth together…do you cut off the selvage or leave it on? Can someone tell me what stretch fabric to get to make the bias tape out of? So if you look closely, you can see that the grain of fabric is cut off at a 45 degree angle all along the diagonal edge. If your Minky has wavy selvage (especially on the Dimple Dot), don’t try to sew over the top- cut those off! Place them diagonal on the corner of your foundation, taking care that the ends of the selvage strip overlap the sides of your foundation. I am going to attempt making a carseat cover for my daughter following your directions. I was getting completely confused! :). I know this is an old post, but I was just skipping around–I do have one suggestion for this post, about bias tape. I have finally finished up the blocks today, and am ready to start the borders to join them, but not knowing how to bind it, I came to my favorite source of tips..and thank you; I found the info I needed…Thanks again brenda. I have been trying to figure that out for a while now, and you made it so I actually understand it.Thank you so much! Really easy to understand for a novice. I am a novice at sewing, only really doing it for a few months. Make sure you do not cut it off if you are using a paper pattern. And now, as I’m trying to make a costume for my daughter … voila! Then Keep a wide ruler along the cut edge, with a side flush with the selvage. The selvage edge of any piece of fabric will not allow the fabric to relax. Then you can still do this trick with a ruler. Just slice off a small amount, like ½” to an 1″. Thanks so much this helped so much I am. Press open seams if possible.