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Use a Loop Turner to Turn a Fabric Tunnel (3963 Views)
Use a loop turner to turn a fabric tunnel to create spaghetti straps, or other narrow cords or straps.
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Step 1 of 5
If you are planning on making a fabric belt or any sort of strap for a garment you will need to create a fabric tunnel, which later will have to be turned inside out. That can be difficult, especially when your tunnel is very long and/narrow (spaghetti straps for example). For an easier experience you can use a loop turner tool or a safety pin. A loop turner can be found online or in most notion stores.
In the following few steps we show you how to use the loop turner. If you prefer to use a safety pin click here.
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Step 2 of 5
Push the loop turner all the way through the fabric tunnel until it sticks out on the other side
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Step 3 of 5
Pierce a little hole in the fabric with the hook of the loop turner and close the tiny latch, so that the hook is well attached to the fabric.
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Step 4 of 5
Pull the loop turner back out of the tunnel on the same side that you had inserted it in originally. Do so slowly and carefully so that the hook does not get detached. Once the hook and the other end of the belt appear through the tunnel you can start pulling it out by hand. It helps to push the outside layer up while pulling out the inside layer of the tunnel.
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Step 5 of 5
Once it is all pulled through, iron the strap flat. Finish the ends by turning the fabric in for about ¼ “ (0.5 cm). Stitch along the edge as close as you can to the end.
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COMMENTS (4)
Oh my gosh! This is SOOO much easier than what i've been doing! (pushing it through w/ my pinkie until it won't go any more, then using a pencil and tweezers to get it the rest of the way)
I am so glad to know that they actually have a tool for this! I figured they did, but I didn't know what to look for...
This is a really excellent way to create tubing, you can also use tapestery needle and yarn. thread the needle through where you finisehd the seam and thread the needle through the tunnel. by gently pulling you can easily turn the fabric over. When it's done you remove the stitch and you can keep the needle threaded and you can use it again and again
If you don't have a loop turner, or are making exceptionally thin straps (say for button loops on a child's garment, that a loop turner won't fit through) it can be done very simply with a piece of string. Cut a piece of sturdy string, cord or thick wool about 10cm longer than the strip of fabric you are turning. Tie a knot at end of the string. Now take your fabric strip and fold in half lengthwise(right sides together); if it is very narrow or if the material has any slip, press it in half first, as this will make it easier to handle. Place the piece of string inside the fabric, with the string hard up against the fold and with the knot sticking out at one end. Machine stitch across the knotted end, making sure the knot is outside the stitching line, turn and stitch up the long side of the fabric, enclosing the string inside. You should end up with a skinny fabric tunnel with a piece of string hanging out the open end. Pull on this end of the string and it will pull the knotted end through the tunnel. With very thin straps you may need to ease the tunnel over the knot to get it started. Voila! You should now have a thin strap, right side out; cut the knotted end off and pull the remaining string through, and your strap/loop is complete. Press flat or dampen and roll to get a round strap.