Tool School: Bias Tape Makers

Clover Needlecraft

4 years ago

Photo courtesy of Sewing Fun with Bias by Dori Troutman

Learn how you can create your own bias tape in minutes. You can also make bias tape that can be temporarily bonded using an iron from any fabric you like.

What is it?

It’s common knowledge that woven fabric is made on a loom with warp (vertical threads) and weft (horizontal threads). In either direction there is pretty much no stretch at all. That’s a good thing but it also makes it pretty hard to form binding fabric around corners or adapt it to curved shapes found routinely on everything from fashion to quilting to home décor to craft projects.

So what to do? How can we use fabric with little or no stretch to finish the curved raw edges found around quilts, placemats, arm holes and necklines or make simple straps for bags and clothing items. It turns out that even though the warp and weft have precious little stretch to them, the 45° diagonal between them has significant elasticity that allows fabric cut on this “bias” to drape around circular or other curved shapes. Stretching fabric on that bias creates fluidity and accommodates our most demanding creative needs. But how do we get this magic bias tape? It can be purchased ready made in our favorite sewing shops. Perfect for those quick, cookie cutter projects.

But how about those creative aspirations that are yours alone? For those we need to make custom bias tape. But how? The fabric strips are cut on the bias in a desired width and are usually folded twice lengthwise. The first time the fold is in half to form a reference point. It’s then necessary to reopen this fold and then fold the raw edges on each side back to that center fold mark creating the bias tape with no raw edges. Then press to hold the fold. Sounds a little too much like origami. It also sounds like a lot of time and tedium and we already have not enough of one and too much of the other.

So what’s the answer? Bias Tape Makers. Mix, match or contrast your fabric and make them any width, it’s all up to you. And it’s easy. Simply cut your desired fabric into strips the appropriate width, pull them through the Bias Tape Maker and iron into shape in one fluid motion. Now whether you’re making piping, binding seams, finishing raw edges, or any other project you can add the perfect touch with custom bias binding tape.

Photo courtesy of Sewing Fun with Bias by Dori Troutman

What does it do?

The Bias Tape Maker allows you to select any fabric and manufacture the perfect bias tape to compliment any of your sewn projects. Creativity without compromise. Bias Tape Makers are available in two styles.

Bias Tape Maker

This is our standard Bias Tape Maker. Simply cut your fabric on the bias in a width twice the finished size desired. The Bias Tape Maker will fold the fabric evenly as you pull it through. Iron it into shape as it is pulled from the device and you’re done. If you want double fold bias tape, just fold that in half and iron again. Easy and the result is a great looking accent to any project.

Photo courtesy of Sewing Fun with Bias by Dori Troutman

Bias Tape Makers are available in 1/4″, 1/2″, 3/4″, 1″, and 2″ sizes.

Bias Tape Makers
Art. No 464/06 – 464/50

Fusible Bias Tape Maker

The Fusible Bias Tape Maker adds a new dimension to the basic product. With this unique tool you can easily apply a fusible surface to the back of your bias tape as you make it. No additional steps required. Now for Celtic, Meshwork or numerous other applications you can iron and fuse your tape strips into place before sewing.

Photo courtesy of Sewing Fun with Bias by Dori Troutman

Fusible Bias Tape Makers are available in 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″, 3/4″ and 1″ sizes.

Fusible Bias Tape Makers
Art. No 4011-4015

How do I share it?

We all expect to achieve our creative intent when we start a new project, right? In store demonstrations and classes will show all of your friends just how easy it is to fulfill any requirements for custom bias binding tape those projects may have.

The Bias Tape Maker is a tool with applications stretching across the entire spectrum of sewing and craft applications. Edges of hot pads, placemats, bibs, quilts, blankets, pillows, necklines, arm holes, bag straps or just appliqué embellishment, the list is unending. When your friends see how fast and easy it is to make perfect and complimenting bias tape they’ll be looking for ways to use it for their own creative expressions. Knowing how to make and use bias tape will make all the difference in every project and enhance everyone’s creative potential.

Bias Tape Woven Mini Quilt
View Project on the Blog

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