When making your
own bed linen, where possible apply any decorative touches before finishing the
seams. Decoration is best limited to borders and edgings (it is uncomfortable
to sleep on when used elsewhere). Use full width fabric for the reverse of the
duvet and bottom sheet to avoid uncomfortable seams.
Cording and pin tucks are
described here - other finishes are described elsewhere: applique, frills and piping.
Sheets and duvet covers should be made up in sheeting width fabric - normally
228 cm wide. If you want to use a print which is not available in sheeting
width, just use it for the parts of the bed linen that will show - the borders
all around the pillowcase or along the top edge of the duvet, for example.
Choose washable
fabrics. Linen is luxurious, but demands time and effort to keep it at its
best; cotton or a cotton/polyester mix are more practical alternatives. Where
possible, use enclosed seams to prevent fraying during laundering. CORDING Use
fine cotton cord, in white or a color to match or contrast with the fabric.
Thread the machine with an appropriate color: if you use contrast cording, use
a contrast color in the needle; the bobbin thread can be matched to the fabric
so that the stitching is less obvious on the underside. Set the sewing machine
to a medium length and width zigzag stitch and fit the cording foot on the
machine.
This has a hole to guide the cording thread under the needle.
Mark the
position of the cording with chalk or a line of tacking threads on the right side
of the fabric. Thread the end of the cord into the foot and position the edge
of the work under the foot of the machine. Stitch along the marked line,
feeding the cord under the foot, so that the zigzag stitch holds the cord in
place. Two parallel lines of cording, 6 mm apart, are a simple, effective
touch.
TUCKING Decide
on a suitable width and spacing for the tucks: they may be stitched close to
the folded edge of the fabric for a very narrow tuck (pin tucks), or up to
about 15 mm from the fold for a wider tuck. Calculate the total number of tucks
and allow to each tucking when working out} you will need. Add an extra a you
can trim the panel a, making up the item. Mark out the tucks across the edge of
the area to be stitch areas, such as a duvet cover, center of the fabric as
well.
