Episode 37 ~ Make Your Own Bias Tape

This week we talked about how to make Bias Tape. I ent over how to cut out the strips and sew thrm together. How to use a bias tape maker and how to make continuous bias strips. I have too much info to put all the pictures and notes on one post, so check back over the next two days for the other related post.

Thank you so much to Patricia for sending me a sample of English Paper Piecing. I will difinately try it soon.

Specail thanks to everyone who donated towards the podcast and left comments this week. Donations allow me to offer giveaways.

Gloria, Kathleen, Diane, Tiffany, Ellen, Vanessa, Kelly Grace, Pat, Emily. . . . . . Sorry if I missed anyone.

Toni’s new podcast is up and running.  Check it out  SillyChickDesigns

You can now call me and leave your comments:  (352) 505-BRYE  2793

Finished embroidering the blog logo – much better huh?

This is the fabric I bought at the Heartfelt Quilting Shop

How to make your own Bias Tape

Step 1 – Cut the Bias Stips

Lay out your fabric flat.  I recommend ironing it before hand.  You need to fold it on the bias.  Take the top corner and fold it down so the selvages are even.  This is too big to cut, so you need to fold it some more to make it more managable.

Fold the bottom corner up, matching the folded edges together.  Still to big to cut, so onto more folding.

Fold the top corner down, matching the fold lines. 

Fold the little extra flap under if you have one.

Square the piece up.  Adjust your folds if necessary.  Make sure the entire piece is flat with no wrinkles.  Trim off the folded edge; just a tiny bit.

Cut your bias stips to your desired width.  I used 2 1/4″; this made a sigle fold bias of 1 1/8″ or a double fold of 1/2″.

You are left with large triangles as strap.

Each cut makes two strips with angled edges.

Trim off the edges to square.

Step two – Sew your strips together

 Lay one piece down, right side up, horizontal position.  Lay your second piece on top vertically.  Square up the top and side edges.

 If you need to, you can pin it in place and mark the corners.

 Stitch from corner to corner.

 Trim the seam to 1/4″.  Continue sewing all your seams until one long strip.

 Press the seams open.

Step 3 – Press into Single Fold or Double Fold Bias Tape

 Fold the strip in half lengthwise and press.

 Unfold strip.

 Using the fold line as a guide.  Fold in one edge to the center fold line and press.  Do one side fo the strip at a time.

 Fold the other side into the center.  You now have SINGLE fold Bias tape.

 To make DOUBLE fold Bias Tape, fold it in half again, along the first fold line, and press again.  Be sure to match up your edges.

Step 4 – Storing Your Bias Tape

 Instead of throwing it in a bag or crumpling it up, try wrapping it around a toilet paper tube.  Wrapping it up correctly will maintain the ironing and creasing.  You could also wrap it around a stiff piece of cardboard (like you would get it in a store).

CONTEST!!

Make your own continuous bias strip (see tomorrow’s post for directions) to be entered into a drawing to win a Clover Bias Tape Maker!  Email me your picture before March 1st to be entered.

Tags: Bias Tape