Do you know how to use a loop turner to turn fabric inside out? Whether you are making a spaghetti strap for a shoulder or tie detail around sleeve or neckline, having a loop turner in your sewing kit will save time.
This little genius latch hook will make your sewing life easier. Use it to pull elastic through a tunnel or weave a drawstring through an opening, a loop tuner has a variety of purposes for you to explore.
How to use a loop turner? Insert the long wire with the hook end into one end of the fabric tube and latch the hook onto the fabric at the other end. Close the latch and slowly pull the wire all the way through the tube to turn the fabric right side out.
This is an inexpensive sewing tool that every beginner sewer need to have in their sewing kit. No more hassles of using a bodkin or safety pin, a loop turner is a safe and easy way to flip fabric, weave drawstrings and pull elastic through a tunnel.
In this article, you will learnstep by step forhow to use loop turnerfor easy looping. Answered below are frequently asked questions about using a loop turner and useful examples.
What is a loop turner?
A loop turner is a slim handy gadget that is small and indispensable for looping or turning the fabric in narrow tubes.
A loop turner is a thin metallic rod made of aluminum or stainless steel with a finger sized circle at one end and a hook on the opposite end. The hook is to latch while the circle is to hold secure to pull the fabric through without losing it into the casing.
A loop turner is a sewing tool that comes in very handy for turning belt loops, frog closures, button loops, purse straps, Chinese ball buttons, shoulder straps, and spaghetti straps.
It is extremely slim so that it can comfortably fit all tube sizes. It is particularly helpful in pulling elastic bands, turning and weaving fabric straps through a tunnel.
Types of loop turners
Loop turners is a basic tool made with different end hooks, colors, materials, and sizes.
It is used for turning string/elastic into narrow or bias tubes and to turn threads or strings. Another purpose is to turn fabric straps inside out.
The size varies depending on the tube opening you want to turn.
Loop turner hook with latch or hook tool functions:
- Turn frog closures, spaghetti straps, string belts, button loops, and more.
- Latch or hook end onto the fabric and pull it through the narrow or bias tubing.
- Made of wire with a hooked end for grabbing and pulling the fabric.
- Used to turn narrow tubing fabric inside out.
Tips for using loop turner
When using a loop turner, review the sewing pattern instruction for the width and length of the final strap. In addition, cut the fabric either along the grain line or bias cut depending on the garment.
To easily turn the fabric inside out, always trim the extra seam allowance into ⅛” to avoid bulkiness.
Tips for using a loop turner for better functionality:
- Able to flip things instead of using a bodkin or safety pin, it is not just limited to spaghetti straps.
- Very useful for thin fabric casings.
- Avoid using a safety pin that keeps opening up and losing the fabric, lace or elastic in the mid section of the fabric casing.
- Use a turner for all size straps.
- To pull ribbon or elastic through a narrow tube or casing.
As a beginner, having a loop turner will make any sewing project so much easier.
Whether you are working on woven or knit fabric to make a fabric strap, make sure to use the correct sewing needle and thread to stitch down the narrow tube. As a result, you won’t break the stitches when you turn the material inside out.
How do you use a loop turner?
A loop turner, as the name suggests, is meant for turning the fabric or elastic through a loop, casing, tunnel or a sewn tube. It can also be used to turn a strap inside out for the clean edges to be on the outside, while the sewn edges are pushed within.
Follow the steps below to use a loop turner for pulling fabric from a sewn strap or tube:
- To determine the width, cut the fabric strip to be turned that is 2 times the finished tube width along with ½” for seam allowance.
- To determine the length, add 2 to 3 inches to the finished length desired after turning.
- Fold the fabric lengthwise by bringing the right sides together.
- Straight stitch ¼” of a seam.
- Seam allowance is trimmed to cut an end of the tube at an angle.
- Slide the loop turner into the tube and latch to the fabric ¼” from the opposite end.
- Pull the turner in your direction by guiding or massaging the fabric on the hook to turn the strap inside out.
- Continue to draw the fabric without disengaging the hook until the fabric has been flipped.
To use the loop turner for turning very thin fabric tubes:
- Use sharp scissors to trim off any excess seam allowance.
- Take the loop turner and push it into the fabric tube.
- Latch it onto the fabric end and pull it inside out.
- This function helps in turning very thin casings inside or right side out such as drawstring cords or spaghetti straps etc.
UsIng a Loop Turner: Final Thoughts
A loop turner is a very handy sewing tool. It is helpful for pulling fabric or elastic through sewn fabric tunnels and turning straps to the right side out.
Whether you need silk or rayon jersey spaghetti strap, start by cutting fabric strip in proper measurement. Double the width, add ½” for seam allowance and 2 to 3” on the length.
Fold the fabric right side facing each other and straight stitch ¼” seam. With sharp shears, trim the seam allowance in half and cut the end on an angle.
Slide the loop turner through the fabric tube and latch the fabric to gently pull toward your direction. Do not rush and gently pull the fabric to turn inside out by keeping the fabric on the hook instead of loosing the clasp.
With the help of a loop turner, you can make spaghetti straps, button loops and slide elastic or lace through a narrow tunnel on the garment. Take time and pull slowly to turn the tube inside out.
The more you practice using a loop turner, you will get better at it. It is an invaluable sewing tool that helps you make DIY clothing and garments with a professional look.