BellaOnline Forums Hobbies and Crafts Sewing ironing an inverted tube of fabric

I am making an apron for my granddaughters and it calls for two ties (one one each side - at the waist) and another long tie to go around the neck. I have made these numerous times. I sew the fabric together inside out then using a safety pin, I turn this tube right side out. Then comes the time consuming part - how do I prepare the tie so that it lays flat. Currently I hand baste stitch close to the seam and the go over each tie with an iron. Is there a way to skip the handbasting part and still get the ties to lay flat when you iron them? Gee, I hope that makes sense. Thanks, Chrys

I realize this is an old thread, but if I understand correctly, I think if you press your seam open before you turn the tie, this should solve your problem. And since the tie is so skinny, you may want to insert a dowel into it to serve as your pressing surface and to prevent pressing creases into either side of the tie.