Turning fabric after sewing it together

Dear users, dear designers,
how do you do this when you first sew fabrics together and then have to turn them through a small opening? When is this needed, and how can you make it easier?

I always make my turning opening wide enough so I can comfortably reach inside with one hand. If that’s not possible because the piece is too small, I use a turning stick that my husband made for me. The turning stick is very easy to make yourself: take a wooden dowel from the hardware store, round off one end slightly, and sharpen the other end like a screwdriver, then file it smooth. My turning stick is about 22 cm long and has become an indispensable tool for me when sewing.

Best regards, Inge

Your husband is great, and so is the turning tool.

I often use the handle of a wooden spoon as a turning tool—that works too—but making something extra for the corners is a great idea.
Which, however, doesn’t stop world champions like me from sewing the turning opening shut almost every time....

For narrow pieces, I often attach a safety pin to one end and then slowly slide it from the inside to the other side. As I do this, the pin pulls the end along with it, and the piece is turned right side out.

Just the other day, I threw away one of those free wooden cooking spoons. The handle would have been perfect as a “turning tool.” The next one I come across, I’ll repurpose it! Thanks, Inge, for the tip. That seems like a helpful tool to me.

Best regards

Turning openings are almost always needed when a piece consists of multiple layers of fabric,
e.g. reversible clothing and accessories, meaning they can be worn with either side facing out (reversible jackets, reversible neckerchiefs, etc.)
and for pieces with a lining (e.g. jackets, coats, bags, etc.)

When deciding on the size of the turning opening, you should consider how much fabric needs to be pulled through and what kinds of fabrics are involved (for example, whether the layers may stick together a bit, as with oilcloth, faux leather, etc.).

For narrow tubes, there are various tools available, such as loop turners or turning tubes in different sizes. Alternatively, as described above, a safety pin, a straw + a skewer, or wooden sticks also work.

For very narrow tubes, e.g. spaghetti straps, loops, or bag straps, you can also sew a thin cord securely to one end (between the layers of fabric that are right sides together) and turn the piece by pulling on the cord. Then cut off the cord.

It’s also important to trim the corners back to about three millimeters from the seam before turning. But be careful not to cut into the seam. This makes it easier to shape the corners. Be careful not to cut too deeply so the seam doesn’t come apart. Also, trim the curves, again stopping 4–5 millimeters from the seam. This helps the fabric lie flat.
Best regards, Marita