How to Cut Fabric on the Bias

Fabric is usually cut on the straight grain, but there are occasions when you may want to use a bias cut, which is cutting your fabric at a 45-degree angle to the grain. This applies to woven fabric such as wool and cotton as opposed to felt, which does not have a cross grain. With a bias cut you can create an item with a flowing drape. You can also use a bias cut if you want the patterns in your fabric to display diagonally or join at the seam, forming a V pattern. Because of the diagonal layout needed for a bias cut, you will need more fabric than you would if you were cutting it on the straight grain.

Things You'll Need

• Straight pins
• Pattern pieces
• Scissors
• Woven fabric

Instructions

1. Smooth your fabric out in one layer, being careful not to stretch the fabric.

2. Place your pattern pieces on the fabric at a 45-degree angle to the fabric. Ensure that opposite pieces such as left front and right front are also 45 degrees to each other and not placed in the same direction. This will allow balance of the grain and will display the symmetrical V pattern.

3. Pin in place, taking care once again not to stretch the fabric.

4. Cut the fabric around the pattern.

References

• Threads: Bias 101