I was on my way to a presentation in Midtown yesterday morning and ended up chasing down a man ahead of me. I was curious about his raincoat, which it looked like he was wearing inside out, and I just had to get a better look. So if you can imagine it, I went dashing down the subway platform in heels, carrying a heavy tote bag on one shoulder and swinging a large portfolio in the other hand (very glamorous, me with all my bags), just hoping I could catch up to him before he got onto the subway and the doors closed without me.
But I caught him! And I’m still not certain, but it looked like his raincoat wasn’t inside out at all but was designed to look as though it was worn inside out. It was a stone-colored trench coat with a full lining. The edges of the facings and the seam allowances were all bound in bright orange, and the label sewn into the center back was also bright orange. I didn’t see who made the jacket, but it was really beautifully made, and if it had actually been inside out the lining would have pulled and distorted. (Linings are usually a bit smaller than the jacket itself.)
Anyway, this got me thinking again about bias binding as a design element. The Oliver + S patterns often use a little bias binding at sleeve hems for a neat, clean finish. For example, both the long sleeve and the three-quarter sleeve version of our new Apple Picking Dress use bias binding at the sleeves. But have you even considered using bias in other places on a garment as a design detail? What about using it as the hem on both skirt ruffles of the dress (View A) as well? Here are two illustrations that demonstrate what it might look like.
I think it’s a cute way to emphasize the double ruffles at the hem and to relate back to the sleeve detail. It’s also a great way to incorporate a contrast or complimentary color or print.
And you won’t need to wear anything inside out to get the look, either.
Bias is easy to make and to apply. I’ve given very though instructions for it in Little Things to Sew, if you’re interested in trying it. I’m curious to see how you use it in your own sewing projects!