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wrinkled bias neck binding
Help! I've made a lovely knit top that really fits me. Attached a bias strip of silk as a neckline finish, but it's all puckery and will not lay flat, no matter how much I press it.
I used to be able to do this, but haven't done it in years. What am I doing wrong?
I clipped the edged to the stitches and pressed.
Do I need to make the binding strip shorter?
Thanks!
Cathy
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Yes, I think the band is too (post #35791, reply #1 of 3)
Yes, I think the band is too long and maybe too wide. The knit probably stretched a little as you sewed the silk on. Do you have a serger? You could use the differential feed to help you apply the trim. If you have scraps this would be a god time to practice. If you don't have a serger I would sew it with the silk on top with a little bit on tension on it. Sue
Along with what Sue said (post #35791, reply #2 of 3)
I'd stretch the silk bias into a curve with the iron before sewing it.
Chris
Bias Binding (post #35791, reply #3 of 3)
I recently learned a really neat trick for making bias binding that doesn't pucker. Takes a little longer, but it is worth the extra steps. I have not tried this on a knit, but plan to. Cut your bias wider than you want the finished bias to be. For example cut it 3" wide if you want a 2" wide binding. Press it flat and stretch it as you do so. You will end up with a binding that has an irregular edge. Then cut it down to the width you want it to be.
I did this on a jacket and was really happy with the result around the neck.