How to make Bias Binding the easy way

Bias binding is used to edge curved and straight fabric edges, such as the potholder pictured above. String ties and hanger-loops can also be fashioned from bias binding. The traditional way for making bias binding requires cutting several bias strips and then sewing the strips together at right angles. The method that follows greatly simplifies the process.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 yard of woven cotton fabric
• Thread to match fabric
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Fabric marker
• Iron and ironing board

1. Remove selvages from a square or rectangle of woven fabric, by making a 1/2 inch clip with the scissors at the line between fabric and selvage and then ripping off each of the two selvage edges.

2. Square fabric: Fold on diagonal (corner to corner) to form true bias.
   
   Rectangular fabric: Fold in one corner to form true bias on the fold and cut on the diagonal fold creating two pieces (one a right triangle and the other the remainder of the rectangle).

3. Place straight of grain edges right sides together, to make a parallelogram and stitch with ¼” seam allowance. Press seam open.

4. With ruler, measure width of desired bias strips (e.g. 1"). Draw lines desired width apart (e.g., 1") parallel to the bias edges on the wrong side of the fabric.

5. With right sides together pin fabric's straight of grain edges together so that drawn lines match at the ¼” seam line - except that the very first drawn line should line up with the fabric edge. Fabric will form a twisted tube.

6. Iron seam open and at the extended end, start cutting around the tube in a spiral, following drawn lines, cutting one continuous strip of bias binding.

7. Iron bias binding in half the long way, so wrong side is inside. Then fold raw edges inward to center fold and iron again.

Tips & Warnings

• You can measure and cut the binding simultaneously. Make a 6" cardboard strip the desired width of the binding. Lay the strip along the edge of the twisted tube and cut the binding along the cardboard pattern's edge.