Fabric turning is a sewing technique where an object is sewn with the right sides facing one another, leaving an opening, and is then “turned” out, concealing the stitching and unfinished edge, and leaving an opening through which filler or stuffing may be put into the object. Fabric may be turned with a common item such as a chopstick, or with tools such as Fasturn, Loop Turners or Hemostats.
When you turn fabric with a tube or turn tool, place the turning tool inside the fabric you want to turn, then use the wooden stick that comes with your turn tool to push the fabric inside of the turn tool until it comes out the other side. Grab the fabric and pull it the rest of the way. Your fabric is now right side out.
How we use turn tubes
Tyvek won’t stand up to using turn tubes in a traditional way as Tyvek is a more rigid material and the pressure required to turn it is greater than its resistance to puncturing. Review the turning instructions at below for specific guidance on turning Tyvek to prevent tearing or puncturing. We do not recommend turning the arms and legs without turn tubes as ‘digging’ at the fabric with turn sticks and other objects could damage the finish.
Turn Paper Bryan’s Arms:
- After you have assembled the pattern pieces, cut along the dotted lines around the thumb, shoulder and hand. Around the hand and shoulder, we recommend not cutting past the white guide line on the outside of the artwork.
- Position the arm horizontally in front of you.
- Fold up the bottom seem so that the top of the fold is about 1/3 of the way up the arm.
- Flip the arm over and repeat step 3. This should create a “Z” like shape.
- Fold the hand up so that it’s in line with the rest of the arm (Fig. 6-1).
- Roll the arm in half again and insert hand first into the turn tool until most of the sewn portion of the arm is in the tool. (Fig. 6-2)
- Carefully fold back the fabric around the turn tool exposing the outside. (Fig. 6-3)
- Support the seams by positioning your index finger and thumb over the seams and pitch them against the turn tool like with the leg (Fig. 6-4).
- Carefully and with steady force, push the turn tool up while holding the arm fabric in place.
- Only push the turn tool 1/2” or so at a time before repositioning your fingers to support the arm.
- Move the turn tool side to side gently to push out the seams and keep the turn tool position in the center of the arm to prevent the seams from tearing. This is the same technique we used on the legs.
- Work the turn tool through the arm until the it comes out at the hand.
- Run the stick along the seams on the inside of the arm to finish turning the fabric. Pay special attention to the thumb and turn it carefully with the pointed end of the turn stick (Fig. 6-5).
Turn Paper Bryan’s Legs:
- Place the leg horizontally in front of you.
- Fold up the bottom seam so that the top of the fold is about one-third of the way up the leg.
- Flip the leg over and repeat. This should create a “Z” like shape (Fig. 5.1)
- Fold the foot up so that its in line with the rest of the leg. (Fig 5-2)
- Roll the leg in half again and insert foot first into the turn tool. Slide the leg in the turn tool until on the top 1/2” to 3/4” is left.
- Carefully push in at the seams to prevent tearing and fold the material back down around the turn tool so that you are exposing the finished side. (Fig 5-3)
- Carefully and with steady force, push the turn tool through the leg while holding the leg fabric in place. Only push the turn tool 1/2” – 1” or so at a time before repositioning your fingers to support the leg. Keep the turn tool centered in the leg to prevent tearing at the seams. Work the turn tool from one seam to the other and back, side to side to keep the leg loose fitting around the end of the turn tool to prevent tearing. Remember only to work 1/2” or 1” at a time. Work the turn tool through the leg. Be sure when approaching the foot that the turn tool is moving in the direction of the opening. The foot changes direction from the leg and the turn tool needs to travel in the same direction. Once in the foot, pull the turn tool out and use a wooden stick to carefully finish turning the foot and pushing out the seams.
- As the fabric turns into the foot, make sure the turn tool is going in the same direction.
- Take caution not to drive the stick through the fabric.
- Run the stick gently along the seams on the inside of the leg to finish turning the fabric.
- Repeat steps 2-8 for the other leg.