Make your own Bias Tape

AmandaJ · Joined: 26 Mar 2005 Posts: 2272 Location: Edmond, Oklahoma

Hey all... tutorial 1 of 3 that I've promised to share. This is actually straight out of a quilting magazine that I get. I'll add my comments to their intrsuction.

1. Cut a 36" or 44" square of fabric. Remove selvages. (a 36" square will make over 20 yards of 2" wide bias strips.)

**1a... A for Amanda's comment: the more exact your square, the easier everything else will be. Really. Spend a little extra time on this step to save tons of time later!

2. Lightly label square as shown in diagram I. Cut square in half diagonally to make triangles. With right sides facing and raw edges aligned, join triangles (seam 1) to form a parallelogram, as shown in diagram II. Press seam open. Measure and mark across the parallelogram with lines equal to the width of your bais strip as shown.

**2a. Instead of marking all of the lines, I mark just the first, to show how far to offset the second seam. This saves tons of time! BE CERTAIN TO MARK ON THE BIAS. I can't tell you how many times I've started to sew the second seam onlyto realize that I marked things going the wrong direction.

3. Form a tube by aligning edges marked seam 2, matching your marked lines and offsetting the edge of one strip width beyond line. See diagram III. Stitch and press seam open.

**3a. At this point, you should think you've done something wrong. When you match up these edges and start to sew, it DOES NOT resemble a tube in any way, shape, or form. You think you're sewing a mess and then *poof* it's a tube. This is the hardest part.

4. Start at offset end and cut around the tube on the marked lines for your continuous bias strip.

**4a. If you chose not to mark all the lines, just use your rotary tools and measure as you go... see the first photo; I usually cut in 2" strips, which happens to be the width of my ruler. Very easy.

**5a. To fold the bias evenly, fabric and quilting stores sell this little gimmick that you thread the strip through and then press as you go. VERY HANDY. It does single fold, but then it's really easy to go back and fold it in half again to make double fold. See the second photo.

Voila! Handmade bias!

knits · Joined: 01 May 2004 Posts: 5302

Yay! Thanks for posting this!

artistgirl · Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 360 Location: florida baby!

What a fantastic tutorial! I can not wait to try this. Very well written and nicely done.

I always wondered about those bias tape folders-they make so much more sense now.

hipkitty · Posted: Jun 12, 2005 3:11 am Post subject:

Awesome!! I will definately have to try this. Thanks for the tutorial!

hk
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ad_ho · Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Posts: 1729 Location: Austin, TX

Understanding this will require a bit more mental energy then I have available right now, but I can already tell this is going to save me some time and money. Thank you!
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AmandaJ · Joined: 26 Mar 2005 Posts: 2272 Location: Edmond, Oklahoma

You almost have to see it in order to do it. Don't try it on an empty stomach if you get cranky when hungry. :)

It still amazes me how much bias I can get out of a yard of fabric!

arabella · Posted: Oct 12, 2006 11:17 pm Post subject:

just bumpin' this because there seems to be a lot of interest in bias tape lately!

Martita · Posted: Oct 23, 2006 3:36 pm Post subject:

Making bias tape is about on par with scrubbing behind the toilet on fave things to do. So why do I keep picking projects taht require it?
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arabella · Posted: Oct 23, 2006 3:51 pm Post subject:

frenchdots · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 1976

Oh god, my dream job would be bias-tape-maker-for hire. Or actually I think I'll set up a sign outside the fabric store- "Will make bias tape for food". Actually I would do it as a swap for paper patterns I can't get over here in Australia.... hmmmm, heading over to swap'n'trade!

I'm currently waiting in crazed anticipation of delivery of my new 2-inch Clover biastape maker. Ooooooh, I cannot wait, it's gonna be a sweet, sweet day when that baby arrives, lemme tell ya... damn!

arabella · Posted: Oct 24, 2006 12:04 am Post subject:

frenchdots · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 1976

Well there are two butterick patterns in their 'retro' range that I'm after... I will look up the numbers and PM you with them! You could prolly wait till joanne's had their 99c pattern sale as I hear they do from time to time (discounts like that NEVER happen in Australia! Most we can hope for is 50% off but I digress) and then we could do the swap?

What kinda bias tape you into? I got florals, I got stripes... I could send a selection or if you have particular needs I can see what I can do?

arabella · Posted: Oct 24, 2006 12:34 am Post subject:

frenchdots · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 1976

Okay! I can't get Pm's to work for some reason, maybe cos 'm on a work computer, but the pattern numbers are:

4790 and 6582- they're both 'retro reprints' or whatever.

Here's pics:
6582
link

4790
link

I'm a size 12 in their patterns... apparently these retro patterns come multisized and ya just buy the one that includes size 12?

I should warn you might wanna check the usps website for postage charges to Australia- you can usually send them in an envelope cos they're small and light but see what the price is cos I don't wanna bankrupt you on stamps!

Whooot! Exciting!

SlipperyShade · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 2097 Location: Midwest

Can you make bias tape out of pretty much any material? Or does it have to be some sort of cotton?
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