If you don't have a serger

[happymama3]

I'd like to make a cover with PUL and put a cute fabric on the front. Ive read that to prevent wicking, you should not use the turn and top stitch method, that you should either serge or use FOE. Well, what about zig zag? Will that work? I don't have a serger and don't want to use FOE (I just don't want to buy it). I have been practicing my zig zag (Im new to sewing too btw) and I think Ive gotten pretty good with it and I think it looks nice on the edges of other things Ive sewn. So what do you all think?

Thanks for any help.
Trish

[rolenta]

Well, your print fabric will probably fray and look pretty bad. If I were you, I'd cut a strip of PUL and fold it over the edges to bind it. If you want to get really fancy, you can get a bias binder foot from www.thesewingsupplycompany.com or www.nancysnotions.com. Sounds like you don't want to have to buy anything special, though, so just folding it over will do, since PUL doesn't fray. That'll be better than zigzaging in my opinion. Here's a link with instructions.

[Kari_mom]

You can turn and topstitch if you make an AI2. Sew the outer shell and the soaker layer separately. When you construct the shell, use your pretty cotton on the outside, suedecloth or microfleece on the inside, and hide the PUL in between. Then sew a generously sized soaker pad for the inside.

You could also bind your AIO with fleece, just cut strips to use. One of my favorite AIOs ever is bound with fleece through the legs, it worked really well to stop wicking.

[SugrMagMama]

doesn't your sewing machine have a serger option? (w/o the cutting feature of course)

check your users manual.. you may be surprised!

Good Luck!

[happymama3]

Rolenta and Kari_Mom, thanks for the tips! I think I might try one of the options that you've mentioned. I didn't think to try binding with something else. That will bring me to another question though, if I try using a strip of PUL or fleece, will it be anything like working with bias tape? Because Im not too good at sewing bias tape. (another reason i didn't want to get FOE) Oh I don't really know what Im doing. Im just learning to sew, don't want to spend a whole lot yet and don't want to waste money if I get something and mess up. I don't know yet if Im gonna get the PUL even. I want to. Im still thinking.

SugrMagMama, Im not sure if my machine has that option, its not a fancy machine, but I will check and see! Thanks!

Thanks again for the help!

[travelinmom]

I think that most machines have an overlock stitch, same thing as serging pretty much. I have done it with fleece edging and it's super easy and simply. You'd be suprised. I think that you should test it on a sample piece to get the hang of it. Oh and use hair clips instead of pins to hold it in place, the kind that you bend to open and shut. Then you don't have to worry about pin holes. Good luck!