Written by Mary Hackenberg, first posted on IDD:
I couldn’t find an embroidery thread that matched right for satin stitching the edges of my five petals. I chose to try to wrap the edges with velvet instead. Many dresses in this style use the same velvet as the bodice to flash under the petals in a solid support panel across the front. I was using a sequin fabric underneath, so I had no connection of the velvet from the bodice into the skirt. I was hoping that binding the edges of my petals in the velvet would help pull the look of it all together, and I think it worked out pretty well.
After some experimentation, this is what I came up with:
I cut a strip of velvet about 1.25 inches wide along the lengthwise grain of the fabric. I wanted to get the most stretch from it so that I could form it around the edges without wrinkling.
My petals were prepared with all the layers basted together near the edge and cut to the exact shape. Then I applied a strip of Wonder Tape all the way around the top of the petal right at the edge. I stuck my velvet right side down lining up the edge of the cut strip with the outer edge of the petal. Then I straight stitched about 3/8″ in from the edge.
Next I applied Wonder Tape all around the edge on the back, but a little bit in from the edge. I folded my velvet strip in on itself like a bias tape and stuck it down so that I had about a half inch strip showing in back with the raw edge folded in. I made the most of the velvet’s stretch to shape it around the edges. I used pins in the two tricky corners to make sure the velvet was pulled all the way into the corner, and would still be caught in my seam. I turned the piece over and straight-stitched from the top carefully along the edge of the binding where the stitch wouldn’t show.
I got in a good groove after a couple practice pieces and was able to get through the work pretty quickly. It came out looking smooth and really works with my dress design, I think.
I felt a bit like I was breaking new ground, although I am sure others have come up with this too. I can say for sure that the small investment in the Wonder Tape made all the difference in getting a professionally finished look. Pins just didn’t cut it by themselves.
I hope this helps someone else 
Happy Sewing,
Mary Hackenberg
Mary, The dress looks great and that was a neat and smart way of blending the dress. I’ve bound edges on panels before, but I like the idea of the Wonder Tape. Great idea! Thanks for sharing.
Comment by Jan Hopman — February 15, 2009 @ 10:20 am