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Home » HA Kidd » H.A. Kidd sewing notions » Easy-to-use fabric tube maker helps make a fantastic floor mat [tutorial]

Easy-to-use fabric tube maker helps make a fantastic floor mat [tutorial]

by Paul Leger

Yesterday I quickly mentioned I’d be using Bosal Katahdin Batting Strip – 6.35cm x 22.86m (212″ x 25yds) for this week’s first project. I’ll also be using the Clover Fabric Tube Maker. When I looked at this new-to-me notion by Clover, I was a little bit worried about how this would work. I’m now impressed with the simplicity and ease to use.

A Clover fabric tube maker on a blue unique cutting mat

Clover Fabric Tube Maker

Place the Clover Fabric Tube Maker parts side by side as follows.

The four parts of the Clover Fabric Tube Maker are placed on a blue Unique cutting mat.

Separate the Clover Fabric Tube Maker into its four parts.

I took the Bosal Katahdin Batting Strip roll and laid it on the wrong side of the fabric strip I prepared yesterday.

The end of the Bosal batting strip roll on the wrong side of fabric strip; Bosal Katahdin Batting Strip - 6.35cm x 22.86m (21⁄2″ x 25yds)

Lay Bosal batting strip on wrong side of a fabric strip.

Fold the Bosal and fabric strip in two and insert into the larger piece of the Clover tube maker.

The end of the Bosal and fabric strips are inserted in the larger piece of the Clover fabric tube maker on a blue cutting mat; Bosal Katahdin Batting Strip - 6.35cm x 22.86m (21⁄2″ x 25yds), Clover Fabric Tube Maker

Insert the Bosal and fabric strip in the Clover Fabric Tube Maker.

Once the strips are inserted snap the second largest piece into the larger part.

A second part of the Clover fabric tube maker is inserted and snapped into the larger part shown on a blue cutting mat; Bosal Katahdin Batting Strip - 6.35cm x 22.86m (21⁄2″ x 25yds), Clover Fabric Tube Maker

Insert and snap the second larger part in the larger Clover Fabric Tube Maker.

Fold the Bosal and fabric strip one more time and insert them into the larger of the two remaining pieces of the Clover tube maker.

The end of the Bosal and fabric strips are re-inserted in the larger of the two remaining pieces of the Clover fabric tube maker.

Re-insert the Bosal and fabric strip in the larger of the two remaining Clover Fabric Tube Maker.

Once the strips are inserted, snap in the last piece.

The last part of the Clover fabric tube maker is inserted and snapped into the larger piece; Bosal Katahdin Batting Strip - 6.35cm x 22.86m (21⁄2″ x 25yds)

Insert and snap the last piece of the larger Clover Fabric Tube Maker.

In the next photo, it appears I’m finishing the sewing of the strips. I’m actually starting. Due to the number of layers and the difficulty of feeding them under the presser foot, I turned the tube as shown in order to sew the first two or so inches.

Note: For this step, I like to use an open toe embroidery foot with the needle to one side and not centered.

The end of the fabric tube is sewn first under the foot of the sewing machine.

Sew the first two inches of the strips as if it was the end of the fabric tube.

Once the two or three first inches are sewn, turn the tube around and sew along the full length. As the tube is fed under the presser foot, gently move the pairs of the Fabric Tube Maker away from the needle in three-to-four-inch increments.

Remember to move the needle position to the opposite side.

The edge of the fabric tube is sewn.

Sew along the full length of the fabric tube.

Admire the colors of the fabric tube.

25 yards of a colorful fabric tube all bunched up on a blue cutting mat

25 yards of fabric tube

Fold one end of the fabric tube and pin it. I folded approximately 6”. If I had folded a longer length, the mat would be more oval.

The black fabric tube is folded approximately six inches at one end and pinned

Fold one end of the fabric tube and pin.

Set the sewing machine to make a wide zigzag stitch. The first few stitches should be tight. After I sewed a couple of inches, I increased the stitch length to four.

With the black fabric tube folded, a zigzag stitch is made over both edges of the tube to secure them together.

Sew a zigzag stitch over both edges of the tube.

Once the length of the fold is sewn, gently curve the long length of the tube. This step is a tricky one because there is a lot of bulk. As the turn gets wider, it will get easier.

The black fabric tube is curved at the end of the seam in order to start the circular shape of the mat.

Pivot the tube to make a circular mat.

As the mat gets larger, it will get easier to go around the ends.

If you’re making a large mat, sew to keep the mat to the left of your needle. This makes the whole process easier than trying to squeeze everything to the right of the needle.

Note: As the mat was getting larger, I was able to reduce the width of the zigzag stitch by almost half.

The full length of the fabric tube is sewn onto itself creating a large mat.

For a large mat, sew to the left of the needle.

The mat is completed.

The colorful oval mat is completed.

Completed mat

I really enjoy the process and ease of making this mat; so much so I’ll probably do another one with five rainbowed colored jelly rolls. I calculated it will take eight to ten Bosal Batting Strip – 6.35cm x 22.86m (212″ x 25yds). It will be big and beautiful.

Bosal batting strip roll on a Unique cutting mat

Bosal batting strip

The roll of Bosal Batting Strip and the Clover Fabric Tube Maker are a perfect match for each other and I look forward to using them again to play some more.

Clover Fabric Tube Maker in a package

Clover Fabric Tube Maker

Tomorrow I’ll be using another Bosal product in the construction of a craft bag. Do come back and see.

This is part 2 of 5 in this series

Go back to part 1: Bosal batting strips make a good old fashion mat: Let’s get started!

Go to part 3: Bosal Sew in Foam Stabilizer gives shape to your sewing projects

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