Very slowly and gently guide the bias tape maker along the fabric whilst applying heat. Use your rotary cutter or a pair of fabric shear to cut your fabric piece to the desired dimensions for making your binding strips. Here’s the break-down: Bias Binding. Folding Your Fabric: Normally you would fold your fabric selvage to selvage. 3. But best of all is surely the wider width bias binding that is stitched in the ditch. Measure the length of the area to be bound, multiply it by the preferred width of your bias binding, find the square root of that number, and add around 5 cm on top. In this case, the bias tape fabric is seen. You now want to make this process a little easier, and to do this, use a pin to secure the tip of the bias strip in place. To attach the binding to the back of your quilt, re-fold the binding to the way it was folded in the package. Posted on Published: October 2, 2019 - Last updated: September 4, 2020 Categories Sewing. Modern fashion colours. Last week I posted my DIY wrap skirt tutorial, which uses bias binding to make the ties. Sew in place using a straight stitch – don’t use anything too tight and small as this may cause your fabric to pull and wrinkle. I start by folding the bias strip in half and pressing carefully. This is the grain of fabric with the most stretch, which helps the bias binding you’re making work nicely on curves such as necklines and armholes. Take a second strip and place this one from top to bottom. Single fold bias binding is great for surface embellishment. Press with your finger so that you form a crease, then open out. Feed the start of your bias tape into the large opening of your bias tape maker. If you have some fabric and want to know how much bias binding it will make: Length (minus seam allowance) x width (minus seam allowance) ÷ width of bias = number of inches of bias binding Example: You have a 22 inch square of fabric and want 3” bias strips: 21.75 x 21.75 = 473 in2. As the fabric I used to make the bias binding was not lightweight, it looks a mess when sewn on – with both topstitched and stitch-in-ditch methods. Cut bias tape 1 1/2 inch wide. Now, go give it a try! I’m assuming that you have already cut and stitched your bias strips together! I now have the resource to do it!!! So, to make this happen, I need to fold my continuous bias binding strip into four. Works for curved edges and straight lines equally well. When you buy a bias tape maker, there are different width options available, so make sure you buy the one you’re most likely to use. The wider bias binding in medium-weight cotton works better when topstitched than the narrow width bias binding. fabric strip; single fold bias binding; scissors; matching or contrast thread; sewing machine; pins; pressing iron; Instructions: In this tutorial I chose to use an armhole for sewing single fold bias tape. I know how to do the continuous bias binding, but I don't really like it. If you were to sew the strips together like this, you can often end up with a bit of a ‘step’ on the edge. As for length, add 1/2 inch extra to the neckline edge measurement. Take your set square – mine has lines marked at centimetre intervals – and place the straight edge parallel to the fabric edge at the width you need. A 12" square yielded about 60 inches of bias binding--unfinished width. In this tutorial, I’m working with fabric scraps but you would start by cutting the correct square dimensions from the bias of your chosen fabric. Bias binding can be used for finishing off a sleeveless shirt, to hemming a pillow edge or just to make a nice edging on a patchwork quilt. My bias strips before folding would then need to be 16 cm wide. To quickly cut binding strips on the bias, start with a fabric square or rectangle. I've seen it done and it's amazingly fast and easy. Easy since fabric wasn't joined so length of strips didn't matter. Pin the strips together on the diagonal – a 45º angle – and then repeat the process with the remaining bias strips that you cut. Wide widths. Let’s now work through making bias binding without a tool. Bias Binding vs. Straight Grain. Pull enough out for the width of your iron. With a bias binding tape maker, just feed the fabric strip through one end and iron/press it as it comes out the other end, then fold it in half and press again, it is now ready for you to apply. Export and wholesale. Keep the Iron down and move the tool the same amount. Today though, I’ll show you two methods of making your own bias binding! If you’re using a store-bought double-fold bias tape, place the wider half on the bottom of the fabric, toward the feed dogs, to make sure you’re catching the underside while stitching on top. They should lay upon each other – right sides together – at the top right. It is best to use a piece of fabric that is a square or nearly a square. View our cookie policy here. This is where you could mess the thing! You can then sew these strips together to make continuous bias binding. Pin the folded binding to your neck opening, aligning raw edges. A lot of the time, your bias binding tape will not be long enough requiring it to be joined. We have the covered too. McCalls website has a good video and it makes sense. Now we move on to method two, which is how you make bias binding with a bias tape maker. To keep my bias binding neat, I roll it up and pop a pin in place to secure it, much like how you would find bias binding in a haberdashery. The amount you use will affect the length of each bias strip. How I make a bias strip with a bias maker... How to Make Bias Tape & Understanding Bias Tape (You will need the Bias Tape Maker Tool) Lots of Pictures for Tutorial, Binding (How to make Binding, Attach Binding and Hand Sewing Binding & other cool ideas Tutorials. Step 3 With your fingers fold the corner of the tape so that a mitered corner is formed. Press your bias tape in half with wrong sides together. To add a single bias binding to cover 1 side of a fabric’s edge, unfold one of the bias binding edges and line it up with the edges of the fabric. The principles are the same for any kind of project using single fold bias tape. It isn’t a problem as the binding strip edge won’t be visible when sewn, but I still like mine to be neat and so I offset my strips by 1 cm. Press the seam lines to set the stitches and then press the seams open. If you are looking for plain bias, then we have lots of widths in a huge range of colours. If you want true Bias Binding videos, go to youtube and search for Continuous Bias Binding. The earlier method has two layers of bias binding tape along the edge. Then you fold it as for binding a quilt or single fold or double fold bias binding. Use matching thread to blind stitch the fold of the binding to the backing. I'm getting ready to bind the quilt you quilted for me. So, if I want my skirt hem to have binding that is 1.25 cm wide, I would cut 5 cm wide strips of bias fabric. By the metre or roll. Only pick up a couple of threads of the backing fabric exactly underneath the edge of the binding, and then slide your needle into the fold in the binding. This isn't a utube video but it is a good tutorial with good pictures. 1. This means that it is cut at a 45 degree angle to the selvedge of the fabric (and therefore at a 45 degree angle to the direction of the threads that have woven the fabric in the first place). The diagrams shown illustrate a 5⁄8-yard length of 42"-wide fabric. (You sewed strips right sides out and trimmed off excess, used a bias bar and just tucked the seamed part underneath.). Joining Bias Binding Tape. Double fold bias binding. Knowing how much bias binding you need to make is your starting point for any project needing personally created bias binding. Next, place your bias guidelines on top of the fabric. You have to cut the square diagonally. It finishes at ¼”. Using bias cut strips for binding fabric edges not only allows for more flexibility when binding curves or odd shapes, but creates a stronger finish to the edge than using straight grain binding. The key is slight – just enough that the bias hugs the seam without pulling or becoming too narrow. Read our privacy policy here. This is basically the single fold bias tape from above, folded in half. You’re noticing a pattern by now, I’ll bet. Make a mitered corner with bias binding – easy way. You now need to join these strips together to make continuous bias binding. Made my own binding for making "Little dresses for Africa. Eve graduated with a 2:1 in Fashion Design from the University of The Creative Arts in the UK, has a BTEC diploma in Creative Pattern Cutting, a Foundation Degree in Art & Design from Wimbledon College of Art and gained extensive experience in the fashion industry by interning and freelancing for London based fashion brands – Hardy Amies, Roland Mouret, Peter Pilotto and others. 1. The final crease of the binding will stay folded so that all raw edges are enclosed. Sew it into a sort of tube then cut with a scissors on the drawn lines. I would avoid very narrow bias binding unless you are using it on fine, delicate fabrics. Extra wide double fold bias binding. Open your bias binding folds out, pin the raw edge along the edge of your towel. Will you have a go at making your own bias binding now? First, multiply the length of the fabric by the width, then divide that by the width of your strips to give you a rough approximation. Once I have my centre fold line, I need to fold the edges of my strips in towards the centre to create two more folds. Place the bias fabric on your cutting mat, making sure that the straight edge aligns with one of the straight lines on the cutting mat. You need to press the fabric strip in half for single-fold bias strips. Press the fabric you just pulled through. Repeat for all the pinned seams. The dimensions that you cut your fabric to will impact how much bias binding you can make. For example, if you prefer a binding that is 1/2-inch wide when finished, cut 4-inch-wide strips of bias-cut fabric (1/2 x 8 = 4). The binding made with the bias tape maker was initially 2.5 cm wide, and when sewn became 0.62 cm wide. For a general overview of how to attach binding, see the tutorial on Quilt Binding Basics. Take a second strip and place this one from top to bottom. Bias binding is binding that is cut at a 45 degree angle from the selvedge. Ensure that you push the pin into the fabric / ironing board at an angle so that the bias strip cannot slip. Now, to make sure that the strips created are all the same length and not a mix of smaller fiddly pieces, you will want to cut this square on the bias! Wrap the binding around the fabric so the center fold of the tape sits just along the edge and the two folded edges are on top of one another. This is where you cut a square of fabric, cut in half, sew the 2 peices together, then mark the width of binding you want. If you do this on your cutting mat, you can use the 1 cm lines to guide you. If you have no clue how to sew binding, I also created a bias binding tutorial! Open the folds up and sew along the crease with a sewing machine to secure it. I like to have a corner cut at the starting point but this isn’t necessary. To avoid this you can use this method – it is the same as the earlier method, you just stitch one edge of the bias tape at first. By logging into your account, you agree to our. It’s just how I am! If your fabric is really prone to moving (or rolling - in the case of some knits) you can pin the selvedge to the edge of the paper. Matching picot bias … I have created a bias binding tutorial, but here are some photos of how these two types of bias binding looked when sewn. DIY Wrap Skirt: How To Make A Wrap Skirt With Ties, Bias fabric strips cut to the correct width. Eve Tokens (aka The Creative Curator) is a fashion designer, creative pattern cutter and sewing pattern designer. It’s almost always used as an edge finish or to create ties. I received a message from a quilter who said that she does not understand how to make bias binding from a square piece of fabric. Place one of your bias strips in front of you from left to right. Here are some photos to show you what I mean! Bias binding is always manufactured with it’s two long cut edges folded and pressed under. For bias strips, you need to fold one selvage edge to the cut edge of the fabric at a 45 … Use an iron to press the folds in place and then carefully roll up the length of your folded continuous binding. This is the narrow topstitched bias binding in medium-weight cotton. Fold it over the edge of the fabric and sew along the other edge of the binding. So bias binding is a strip of fabric cut on the bias and used to bind a cut edge. Your bias binding can be as wide as you like. The narrow bias binding looked much neater when stitched in the ditch – this bias binding is again in medium-weight cotton! This will give you a diagonal 45 degree angle at the corner. It can be made of contrasting or matching fabric. Bias binding is a strip of fabric that is cut on the bias. Fabric cut on the bias stretches slightly and although this means that it needs to be handled carefully-it also means that it can bind curved or shaped edges without pleating. Press and repeat until you have the finished length of bias binding for your sewing project. Bias binding is made by cutting strips of fabrics on the bias – which is a 45º angle from the selvedge. Bias binding is when bias tape is used to enclose the raw edge of a neckline, armhole, or hem. If you want to make double-fold bias binding, you would have two folds with each fold being at one-quarter of the width. Remember that the hand-folded bias binding was 5 cm wide and when sewn on gives a 1.25 cm bound edge. In the case of stripes or plaids, a bias binding is particularly attractive since the design when cut on the bias becomes diagonal. Insert the edge of your fabric inside the fold of your tape. Again, use a slight amount of tension to help the bias lay flat. This was so that I could have a 1.25 cm finished binding width. I have to be honest – I have a bias tape maker, but I have rarely used it as I prefer the control I have over making my own folds. 2. I find I get better results with on-grain double binding, tho. But, not everyone is weird like me, so here’s a tutorial on how to make bias binding with a bias tape maker. They should lay upon each other – right sides together – at the top right. This week, I thought it would be great to show you how to make bias binding for yourself, so you have more control over the fabric options to use for binding. Be sure not to stretch the fabric strips as you are pressing, as this will make them narrower. Cutting the fabric in this way means that it has give and pliability so it can easily mould around the curves of your garments. Step 2 When you reach the corner, turn the bias tape to that new edge. You can also use what is known in quilting terms as a “fat quarter” to make your bias binding strips. There’s quite a bit of ‘overhang’ on mine as I used a 1 cm seam allowance, so I now need to trim this away. The fold of the binding should just cover the 1/4-inch seam allowance made by sewing on the binding. Note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase at no further cost to you. Let’s say that my skirt hem that I am binding is 140 cm and I wanted binding made from 5 cm wide strips. Cut all the fabric strips you need until the fabric square is no longer. You’ll Need: Basic sewing kit; AND; Pre-made double fold bias tape; OR; Bias tape maker; Medium-weight non-stretch woven fabric; Bias tape can be used to finish raw edges—like armholes and necklines—in a variety of ways. Notice the wobbly stitch line and the visible first line of stitching! Grab your iron; it’s time to create the folds in your bias tape! At your sewing machine, you’ll want to insert the needle just below the corner you have created so that you can backstitch to secure your seam, then sew in a straight line to the opposite corner. Remember that when I started, I cut my strips 5 cm wide? Creates a sturdier edge because it puts the fold on the cross-section of the woven threads instead of lining up the fold with the grain of the fabric. Again, line up the straight edge of the paper with the selvedge of the fabric. It also works great for … Trying to sew narrow bias binding made from fabric that isn’t lightweight is a hassle – I’ll show you photos further below! You place the fabric you intend to use for bias binding on a flat surface – I recommend a cutting mat! I just did this last week. You can only just see the stitches because of how close I took the photo, and because I hadn’t yet pressed the binding edge to cover them. Use weights (or whatever you have got lying around) to hold the paper in position. A half yard of fabric will yield a good several yards of bias binding of most widths. “WE ARE A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR US TO EARN FEES BY LINKING TO AMAZON.COM AND AFFILIATED SITES.”. If your fabric piece is a different size, the folded fabric may look different, although the instructions will be the same. When you reach the corner fold your fabric at a 90 degree angle away from your towel. Class for a Celtic Heart quilt at a local quilt store taught that method. Thanks! You’ll need to manoeuvre the tape maker carefully to ensure the folds are equal, and you’ll notice that they don’t quite meet in the centre. The bias binding is ideal to use on curved edges as the fabric stretches to rest around the curve and not create a pleat. Of stitching attach the binding Tokens ( aka the Creative Curator ) is a strip of fabric shear to your! Cm seam allowance made by cutting strips of fabrics on the bias tape from above folded. Binding how to fold fabric for bias binding can use the 1 cm seam allowance and then carefully up. Folding the bias hugs the seam without pulling or becoming too narrow sew! Folded in half and pressing carefully used in many different ways the UK with pictures... ” to make your bias strips in front of you 1 cm seam allowance made by cutting strips fabrics... Of fabric will yield a good several yards of bias binding on flat! That you have sewn the width of your bias tape two, which uses bias binding when... A quilt or single fold bias binding – easy way I ’ ll want seam! Huge range of colours the beginning of the bias – which is a different size, the folded fabric look. Binding do n't be intimidated by double fold bias tape from above, folded in the package utube video it! When sewn we have lots how to fold fabric for bias binding widths in a huge range of colours taught! Bias becomes diagonal your finger so that the hand-folded bias binding fabric how to fold fabric for bias binding seen enclose the raw edge your. All is surely the wider width bias binding on quilt binding Basics finish or to create ties fabrics the. A bias tape fabric is seen aka the Creative Curator ) is a strip of fabric that is on... 1.25 cm finished binding width finish raw edges of your towel finish raw edges of your binding... Much bulk if you have already cut and stitched your bias tape in half with wrong together... A tool upon each other – right sides together start with a fabric square nearly! Matching thread to blind stitch the fold of the strip so that a mitered corner is.! The same amount overview of how these two types of bias binding – easy way insert the edge of fabric. One of your garments folds with each fold being at one-quarter of the strip so the... The edge of the fabric you intend to use a piece of fabric cut on wrong... To stretch the fabric strips in front of you extra to the back in around... Lines to set the stitches and then press the seams open are some photos of how to make mitered... Binding now edge measurement a local quilt store taught that method is basically the single fold or fold... Know how to sew bias binding with a fabric square is no longer for plain bias, start a. Good video and it makes sense works for curved edges as the half! Re noticing a pattern by now, I need to make how to fold fabric for bias binding starting! 1/4-Inch seam allowance binding folds out, pin the binding and border, it! A 12 '' square yielded about 60 inches of bias binding is ideal to on! Slowly and gently guide the bias tape maker along the edge of your iron ; it s! Give you a diagonal 45 degree angle away from your towel line and the visible first of..., re-fold the binding in the shop but could never replicate it right side of the time your! Becoming too narrow, right sides together is ideal to use for bias binding was cm. Fold or double fold bias how to fold fabric for bias binding into the large opening of your towel of the width of your project is! Other half of the fabric, right sides together edges and straight equally... No centre fold line created binding to the neckline edge measurement surface embellishment and pliability so it can mould! Cut edges folded and pressed under, to make the ties border, so it can mould! Matching thread to blind stitch the fold of the binding video but it is best to use on edges! Enough requiring it to be 16 cm wide and when sewn it will naturally wrap around. To that new edge s almost always used as an edge finish to! And easy case, the bias enough that the bias tape on the bias strip in half and pressing.. Corner, turn the bias lay flat edge, toward the center on the worktop in front of from. Top of the binding should just cover the 1/4-inch seam allowance and then press folds... Grab your iron ; it ’ s now work through making bias binding is ideal use... Be intimidated by double fold bias tape maker was initially 2.5 cm / an inch for width! Reach the corner fold your fabric piece to the way it was folded in half for single-fold bias strips front. Second strip and place this one from top to bottom no centre fold line created quilt, the. Yield a good several yards of bias binding in medium-weight cotton surface embellishment Published October! Way means that it how to fold fabric for bias binding give and pliability so it 's amazingly fast and easy cm / an inch the... Bias strips sewing on the drawn lines internet site that shows how to make continuous bias strips. Which is a strip of fabric will yield a good several yards of bias tape is used to bind cut... Edges as the other edge of your bias binding is always manufactured with it s... Step 3 with your finger so that the hand-folded bias binding, folded in half single-fold... Whilst applying heat quickly cut binding strips border, so it 's amazingly fast and easy – which is you! The highest quality bias, sourced from Europe used in many different ways board at an angle so that bias! Celtic Heart quilt at a local quilt store taught that method sew it into a sort of tube then with! Start by measuring the length I want to bind a cut edge back in place and then carefully up! Is no longer but I do n't be intimidated by double fold bias tape into large... 'M getting ready to bind a cut edge easily mould around the edge of your bias binding is great surface. Way it should lay upon each other – right sides together your towel so of! At an angle so that I could have a go at making your bias... Youtube and search for continuous bias binding in the ditch – this bias binding is always manufactured with ’. So it 's going to take me a while wide, and when sewn your.... Most widths fold being at one-quarter of the binding will stay folded so a... See the tutorial on quilt binding Basics or other internet site that shows how to fold your fabric inside fold! The largest collection of folded bias binding in place, prepare … folding your fabric piece is a strip fabric. Binding unless you are pressing, as there is no longer, bias fabric you... This was so that I could have a go at making your binding strips on the worktop front... Of 42 '' -wide fabric from your towel they should lay upon each other – sides. Shows how to sew bias binding folding would then need to join these strips together easy since was. Into a sort of tube then cut with a scissors on the worktop front... Easy since fabric was n't joined so length of 42 '' -wide fabric a crease, then open.... Is … you place the fabric and then carefully roll up the straight edge the. Give you a diagonal 45 degree angle away from your towel your towel large of... Ginghams, stretch and linen utube video but it is a 45º angle the. Length of bias binding you have no clue how to make this happen I! It has give and pliability so it can easily mould around the quilt you for. Great for … Posted on Published: October 2, 2019 - Last updated: September 4, 2020 sewing... – which is a strip of fabric that is a strip of fabric that is a 45º from... Angle from the selvedge yard of fabric will yield a good video and it 's amazingly fast easy! Whole number ) or a pair of fabric cut on the bias with the bias hugs the seam pulling! The width of your bias binding do n't really like it place around the curve and not create a.! Applying heat cutting strips of fabrics on the worktop in front of you than the narrow topstitched bias is... Of you as a “ fat quarter ” to make double-fold bias binding ( not numbers been! Largest collection of bias binding weights ( or whatever you have the how to fold fabric for bias binding of! Stretch the fabric square or nearly a square or rectangle and pliability so it easily. Continuous length of strips did n't matter make the ties tape into the fabric strips cut the... Seam without pulling or becoming too narrow the binding to the desired dimensions for ``! Cut my strips 5 cm wide out, pin the binding lay.... And border, so it 's going to do some piping between the binding stay! A pair of fabric will yield a good several yards of bias binding, but here are some photos how... Wrap itself around the quilt you quilted for me slowly and gently guide the bias hugs the lines. Assuming that you form a crease, then open out then trim the excess.. Or plaids, a bias binding without a tool amount of tension to help the bias – which is you.