Making your own extra-swell tartan flashes

[ChattanCat]

The drawback to putting the seam on the sides is that you wind up with a ridge 4 thicknesses thick along the edges and only two thicknesses thick at the center. And the fusible web only sticks to 2 sides, so, at the seam edges, you can't really stick everything together. So it doesn't produce the really nice, flat, smooth flashes that you can get without a seam.

Anyway, there are lots of ways to make flashes! Certainly no one right way.

Hogs and quiches,

B

I made a fine enough edge stitch that there were only two layers. Will have to see if the stitches come out over time...

[Barb T]

I made a fine enough edge stitch that there were only two layers. Will have to see if the stitches come out over time...

So did you put two pieces on top of one another and edge stitch over the raw edges? I'm having a hard time visualizing what exactly you did to avoid a quadruple thickness at the edge seam.

B

[ChattanCat]

So did you put two pieces on top of one another and edge stitch over the raw edges? I'm having a hard time visualizing what exactly you did to avoid a quadruple thickness at the edge seam.

B

Yes, two pieces on top of each other without folding them under. With a fine edge stitch.

[Barb T]

I wonder if you could use a piece of Steam-a-Seam 2 in between the two layers and avoid the stitching? I'd try cutting the pieces a little oversize, steam the bejeebers out of the fusible web, and trim them to the right size. It might not ravel at all or need edge stitching. Worth a try with a small piece, anyway.

B

[James MacMillan]

Has anyone tried Dritz Fray Check?

I have used it at the bottom of cheaper flashes to keep them from fraying more or, after they started to fray, and I had trimed some off, then applied the Fray Check. After it is dry, it's a little stiff, but not completely.

It's a liquid and comes in a small bottle. I also used this product on the fringes of a Fly Plaid that I self fringed and then braided the tassels. For that application it kept the tassels from coming unbraided.

Joanne sells it here.

[ChattanCat]

Barb,
I will experiment next time I do some flashes.

Jay,
I havn't tried it.

W

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

The drawback to putting the seam on the sides is that you wind up with a ridge 4 thicknesses thick along the edges and only two thicknesses thick at the center. And the fusible web only sticks to 2 sides, so, at the seam edges, you can't really stick everything together. So it doesn't produce the really nice, flat, smooth flashes that you can get without a seam.

Anyway, there are lots of ways to make flashes! Certainly no one right way.

Hogs and quiches,

B

I see the point, maybe I won't do it that way. No real reason to have reversible flashes anyway. Is there any reason to put the bit of fusible web over the folded over edges in the back? If the Steam-A-Seam works on the notched edge, it should work fine here too, right?

Has anyone tried Dritz Fray Check?

I have used it at the bottom of cheaper flashes to keep them from fraying more or, after they started to fray, and I had trimed some off, then applied the Fray Check. After it is dry, it's a little stiff, but not completely.

It's a liquid and comes in a small bottle. I also used this product on the fringes of a Fly Plaid that I self fringed and then braided the tassels. For that application it kept the tassels from coming unbraided.

Joanne sells it here.

I have used this, and posted about it, but, unfortunately, the test of time has shown that it only checks the fray for a few months

Be well,

[James MacMillan]

I have used this, and posted about it, but, unfortunately, the test of time has shown that it only checks the fray for a few months

That's not good to hear - But I just looked at the flashes that I treated well over two years ago, and they seem to still be OK. Maybe it has to do with flexing, or usage, or washing?

Flashes, mine anyway, seldome if ever get washed. Don't get heavy usage or flexing either.

I would never think of doing the bottom hem of a kilt with this stuff, but it seems to be working with the flashes that I have treated.

Of course varnish or shellack would also work - or super glue?

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

That's not good to hear - But I just looked at the flashes that I treated well over two years ago, and they seem to still be OK. Maybe it has to do with flexing, or usage, or washing?

Flashes, mine anyway, seldome if ever get washed. Don't get heavy usage or flexing either.

...snip...

Well, it might have something to do with being worn by a seven-year-old!

Be well,

[ccga3359]

Well, it might have something to do with being worn by a seven-year-old!

Be well,

Poor Panache, a 7 year olds mentality in 39 year olds body. Perhaps he'll mature some in the coming year.