Babylock Coverstitch Binder - a Tutorial of Sorts (Part II)

Well, so much for a saying this might be a single post. I guess there's a character limit?  So, now there's a part II. 

Get the Fold Started (this is the tricky part!):

Use tweezers to roll the fabric at the top of the spout toward you.  It should be the full length of upper lip (see photo on left).  The "No" photos show that the fabric is not fully  across the upper lip and this will slip out while sewing.  Practice doing this wrong a few times so the difference is obvious.  



YES - Top (right side showing) fills the upper lip of tube without curling

YES - nice even binding

NO - Top (right side showing) is too skimpy and will fall off

 

NO - center fell out of top lip and didn't fold under 






 

 

Hand roll (Ok, this is where I was really just making it up as I went - make it work!)

First photo – fold over

2nd photo – double fold over (as in finished bind where bottom is single layer and top is double fold layer)

3rd photo – bend it around to position it under foot.

Starter Stitches on Binding – without Fabric

Start stitching to see how it all lines up and to get a grip.

Audition your stitch lines over the binding.  Adjust positioning to your preference with screwdriver, if necessary (accounting for additional fabric in next step). I like mine with both stitchlines on the binding, but others like the two threadlines straddling the binding edge (one on binding and one on shirt).

 

 

 

 

one style - both threadlines on binding

 

 

This was my maiden voyage so my outer stitch line veered off the binding at the 5 o'clock position here. Practice makes perfect!



Whoops! On the front of course!

Add shirt

Once you’ve gotten a good start (about 1-3”), then add fabric.

Use tweezers to guide fabric right into that opening and make sure the upper binding is curling properly and filling the upper lip.  I watched a Youtube video and the lady just let hers rip, "look ma no hands!" style. I, on the other hand, felt I had to carefully guide with the tweezers the whole time to make sure that upper lip was filled just right.

 

 

Finish up

Once the binding has made it all around, trim excess and stitch up that seam you left open in the beginning.

Close 'er up!

 

 

Use screwdriver to move upper piece to right to allow for regular coverstitch use.  Can keep binder attached to machine when not in use.

All slid over to the right (but still attached) so you can do regular coverstitching and switch back and forth easily. 


You're done! 
Pat yourself on the back and admire your professional looking binding. Let me know if you have any luck with this technique!


Again, I might not check this very often so I apologize in advance if I don't see your questions very often. Maybe others will be able to answer them better anyway.  There are lots of really experienced and helpful sewists out there! 

Also, if someone has already done a great tutorial and I missed it, please provide a link.