Easy, Peasy Flange Tutorial

Hello Everyone,

It was suggested to me in an email that I put a tutorial together on how to make a flange....or "gutless" piping as I sometimes call it. So Nancy here you go.

For this flange, I started with two strips that I cut on the bias...3/4" by 16-1/2".  (I almost always use a stripe or a check fabric for my flanges.)

Gently fold the strips in half with wrong sides together and press.  Be careful not to s-t-r-e-t-c-h the flange!

Place the prepared flange on top of the block with raw edges together.  Pin.

Ever so slowly, (I can put my machine at 1/2 speed), stitch a scant 1/8" of an inch along the raw edge.  You can also use a stiletto to keep your fabric feeding properly.  (I don't mean stiletto shoes!)

Now I take my fabric that I use for my "frame" and place it over the flange with right sides together.

Pin and stitch....again slowly.  We aren't running any race here to the finish line.

Stitch an exact 1/4" seam.

Press the frame fabric away, with the flange facing to the inside of the block.

One 'stinkin' cute flange.  (That is for you Lisa!)  Lisa has taken several of my classes and she makes me laugh every time she says 'stinkin' cute.

Next, I stitched the flower section to the picket fence section and voila!  That teeny, tiny little strip adds so much to the look that I'm trying to achieve with this quilt.  It would be so much plainer without it.

There you go, one easy-peasy flange tutorial.  Yes, it will take you more time to add a flange, but it's worth the time and effort.

As always,

Lynn