Recently I've had a huge success making mini piping without any special feet
and using my regular presser foot. Here's how:
I found 1/16th" cord with the upholstery cord at Joanne's. It's very thin and
I suspect gimp would work just as well. I cut bias strips and folded them
over the cord. I positioned the cord part right in the opening in the middle
of my regular presser foot. That little tiny space is the perfect size to
hold it in place while you stitch it closed. Then I moved my needle position
a couple of places to the right of the cord and stitched.
If you don't have an electronic or computer machine, do not despair. Most
mechanical machines with a zig-zag stitch have the capability to adjust the
needle position since you can usually adjust the position of the zig-zag
stitch.
This makes tiny, perfect mini-piping in a fabric to match or coordinate with
the outfit you are making. You can use the regular presser foot to sew it to
the garment as well. It still holds in place and guides well even if the
piping is sandwiched in between two layers of fabric. (Note: the fabric I
used was cotton!). One way to make that easier is to cut your bias tape so
that the raw edge is 1/4" from your stitching line. That way you can just
line the piping edge with the garment seam allowance. With a little practice,
you don't even need to baste in the piping.
I hope this is clear. I was so pleased with the results as well as with the
control - not to mention being able to use the same presser foot so you don't
have to change back and forth. I believe this will work well on Barbie and
Gene clothes also.
(
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