Tutorial: Make your own Bias Tape

One of the best skills I gained when learning to sew was how to make and use my own bias tape. So today I'm going to show you how to make your own! 

 Bias tape is created by cutting strips, as you may have guessed, along the BIAS of the fabric rather than the grain. WHY do we need bias tape? Woven cottons, such as quilting fabrics, don't have any stretch to them. But a strip of woven cotton cut on the bias has a bit of give, which is really helpful when you need to bind around any round or curved area. Bias tape won't pucker on you the way fabric cut along the grain would.

Does that make sense? If not, don't worry. You'll see what I mean in a minute. In the meantime, just trust me. The stuff is awesome. :)

So are you ready for another tutorial? Here goes!

THE SUPER-SIMPLE WAY TO MAKE YOUR OWN BIAS TAPE

MATERIALS
To make 1/2" or 1" double-fold bias tape you will need:

    1/2 yard of fabric (or any piece you decide is big enough after reading this tutorial)
    Iron
    Cutting tool and ruler
    Sewing machine


STEP ONE

Lay your fabric out on your cutting mat like this:

Do you see a 45 degree angle line on your mat? Line the selvage edge of your fabric up with this line.

Begin cutting strips. For 1/2 inch double binding cut 2 inch strips.

I don't usually use these short little strips for my binding since longer ones will come along. But I hold on to them just in case I need more length.

Watch your pile grow as you keep cutting...

STEP TWO

Now take two of your strips and place them like you see in the picture below with RIGHT SIDES FACING. The fabric I'm using in these pictures doesn't have a right or wrong side, but if you're using a printed fabric this is a very important step.

Use your ruler to draw a line before taking your strips to the machine. Or you can just eyeball it, which is what I do. ;)

Now stitch the pieces together like this:

Here is what your stitch line will look like:

At this point I like to go through and sew all my strips together. Once I have one really looong bias strip, I take it to the cutting board to remove the excess.

Now cut off the extra fabric, but leave a 1/4 inch seam allowance. You'll iron the seams open in the next step.

Cut off the little corners:

STEP THREE

Now take your bias strip to the ironing board and iron all the seams open. I find this part so satisfying. :)

The right side of your bias strip will look like this:

Heres a picture of all the beautiful bias tape I've been working on. I love the colors together. :)

STEP FOUR

Now fold your bias strip in half (WRONG sides together if there is a right and wrong side) and iron down the entire length.

Next, fold both raw edges in to the center of your bias strip (you will have an obvious center line from ironing the strip in half).

Finally, fold the whole piece in half again and iron as shown in the picture below. Keep one side of the bias tape just a tiny bit shorter than the other. (This is so that when you sew the bias tape on to a project, the back side of your bias won't miss the stitches as you sew).

 UPDATED: Read more about how to do this step below.

This step can take awhile so turn on some music or a t.v. show and try not to burn your fingers. :) You can find tools for making bias tape at your local craft store, but I don't mind doing it the old-fashioned way.

After you've finished ironing take a step back and admire your handiwork. You just made your own bias tape!

Now pair it up with some cute fabric and go sew something!

Now, go make piles and piles of beautiful bias tape. :)

Question Answered: Bias Tape Fold

"Can you illuminate how we make one side just a tiny bit shorter than the other?"

Great question, mom!

Here's the picture she is referring to from the original tutorial:

And here is a close up to demonstrate what I mean by "make one side just a tiny bit shorter than the other:"

Can you see how the top edge of my bias tape is just a hair shorter than the bottom edge? I'd say 1/16 of an inch is the perfect difference. I hope this helps!