Spaghetti Straps...Let's make some!

Alot of what we do as seamstresses, is construct items that enhance a garment or upholstery project.

Making spaghetti straps (or straps of any width) or fabric covered tubes falls into that category.

I borrowed this great tool from a friend of mine years ago. It’s called a Fast Turn.

It has that name because it helps you turn these tubes of fabric right side out in a matter of seconds.

This one is made by Nancy’s Notions. A less expensive one is found at Clothilde. There’s even this one which is ultra cheap, but I can’t tell from the picture if it works as well. Hey, it might even be better. Anyone?

There are two main components. One is a brass tube and the other is a wire with a squiggly tip at one end and a plastic glob at the other.

The squiggle tip looks like this:

Each kit comes with several sizes, so that you can make many different widths of straps or tubes.

You can use the turning technique for anything you are making.

Today, we’ll be making spaghetti straps. The measurements I give you make a perfect spaghetti straps.

If you need to buy fabric to make the straps, you’ll only need to buy 1/8 yard. However, they won’t take up much of that 1/8 yard. You may find that you have small narrow scraps lying around that might work perfectly.

Each strip of fabic will only be 1 1/8″ x 18″. Eighteen inches might be a little long, but you’d rather have them be too long than too short. Right?

So, first cut your strip(s) 1 1/8″ x 18″. I use a rotary cutter and mat, but you can easily do this with scissors if you don’t have the cutter and mat.

The strip looks really narrow, doesn’t it?

Good. You have it right.

Now fold it lengthwise, right sides together, and sew down the long edge of it with a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Choose a brass tube that will fit into the hole without being too big (tight) or too small (loose).

Insert the brass tube into the hole you just made in the strip:

Push it all the way through the tube of fabric until it sticks out of the opposite end.

Next, slide the coordinating wire (which has the squiggly tip) into the tube.

Fold over the very top edge of the black satin so it covers the brass hole. Hold it down with your finger.

Now, slide the wire up through the brass tube and twist it so that the squiggly end comes up through the fabric like this:

Now, gently pull the plastic end of the wire gizmo. As you pull the wire back through the brass tube, the wire will be bringing the fabric along with it.

Keep pulling on that wire portion and soon you’ll see the fabric come out of the end

Once you’ve pulled it all the way out, untwist the wire and gently pull it away from the strap.

Sew your straps into the dress or camisole or whatever project you’re working on.

Wasn’t that easy?

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