Bias binding is a flexible, stretchy narrow band of fabric cut diagonally on the grain that is folded into a long, thin tape to be used for matching or contrasting trims and casings. Bias binding is available in a wide range of colors, but for exact fabric matching and custom finishes, you will want to make your own. The process is easy and just requires a square of fabric, cutting and a little machine sewing.
Things You'll Need
- Fabric
- Iron
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Tailor's chalk
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Fold a square of fabric in half diagonally across the middle. Press well and cut along the diagonal fold line.
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Decide how wide you want your bias binding strips to be and mark lines spaced at intervals of the finished width parallel with the diagonal side you just cut.
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Cut through both layers along the diagonal chalk lines.
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To join strips, hold the right sides of the ends of two strips together so that one strip is perpendicular to the other, and sew along the diagonal seam.
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Press the seam open and trim the ears of fabric visible from the right side, then fold and press the bias tape as desired.
Tips & Warnings
- Make sure you have folded on the bias of the fabric by matching the crosswise grain to the selvage, so that the two grain lines are perpendicular to each other.
- The tape can be pressed and folded once or twice towards the middle along each side to make single-fold or double-fold bias tape.
- A quilters' rotary cutter, mat and ruler can be used to cut strips of equal length easily and without marking the fabric.
