Turning the Ember Dress ties – a blog post of helpfulness

While we were testing the Ember dress, we noticed that fabric choice has a huge impact on how the tie-turning experience goes! Our determined and creative testers tried out a whole bunch of methods based on their fabric choices. Here are the top three methods that we found worked best:

Using a loop turner

I’m talking about the long, mysterious looking contraption that seems to have a latch-hook-rug tool on the end of it. Here’s a link from Wawak that shows how it looks.

To use the loop turner, slide the turner through the inside-out tie all the way, bunching the tie up on the turner if needed, until the hook comes through the opposite end of the tube. Hook the hook through some of the fabric (and I like to grab a stitch, too, because thread is strong!), and gently start pulling the tie right side out.

I find it’s best to keep tension on the end of the tie so you don’t lose the hook’s grip on the fabric. If you need to, you can roll the tube between your fingers a little to convince the seam allowances to be more turn friendly. Keep on going, working gently but steadily, until the tube is all the way right side out.

This method worked really well for rayon/viscose challis and cotton lawn. The fine weave holds up to the hook’s pulling and the soft fabric turns nicely. 

Using the darning needle method

I love this method for when a tube is too small or too loosely woven to really be happy with any other method. You can secure the heavy thread as much as needed, so you won’t lose the end of the fabric inside the tube as easily.

If you don’t have a loop turner or the tube is too small, thread a large blunt needle with several inches of heavy-weight thread. Fasten the thread at one end of the seam allowance, then insert the needle into the tube eye first, and work it through to the other end. Gradually and gently keep on pulling, turning the tube and rolling it between your fingers to help it turn, until it is right side out. 

A simple folded tie, not turned right side out at all

Meredith loved this method! It’s reliable, and if your fabric is stable and if you hate turning tiny things right side out more than folding tiny edges, this is the method for you!

Fold the tie in half lengthwise, right side out. Give the folded edge a good press. When the fabric is cool, open it up, and tuck the raw edges inside allllll the way against the fold. Now you have three folds, and the raw edges are inside the tie. Give it a good press again.

From the right side, edgestitch the tie closed lengthwise. This is a visible line of stitching, so it’s worth using your edgestitch foot! Give the ties one more press after sewing, and you’re done. 

We hope that one of these methods will be the magic button to help you turn (or fold!) your waist ties with ease. Happy sewing!