Bias Tape

[NJMo]

I HATE BIAS TAPE!!!! I avoided it for years, but wanted to make some quilted casserole covers for my sister. The pattern uses bias tape. I absolutely cannot make that silly bias tape flat -- it always bunches and puckers. I have read the instructions and practiced; all to no avail. Short of boycotting all things round.... Suggestions? Thanks.

[ElaineR]

I can see how bias tape could be difficult. I think it just takes practice and patience. When I use it, I pin it very carefully working it with my fingers. I just about always sew it onto one side of something and then turn it to the back side and stitch that side down by hand. I am sure someone else who does it a more modern way will update both of us on technique! I usually don't have much trouble with it but I doubt if I could do a good job myself if I tried to sew the back side on the machine. Good luck!
Elaine

[twin mom]

I have to hand stitch mine, too, to get it to lay flat. I've tried just about everything, and hand stitching is the only thing that I'm ever happy with in the end.

[StitchinGrandma]

I think that's probably the one thing everyone has problems doing. I've avoided using it on things myself so you aren't alone. I had a video that showed an awesome way to do it but I just tried to open and watch it to see if I could type hints from that but the video won't work. :(

[Leslie]

Why not make your own, if you're a quilter you may have done it. It's easier to work with, not bulky, you can choose interesting contrasting fabric and the best way to put it on is to sew it to the back or underneath side, pull it over to the other side, fold the raw edge under, and sew.

[artsiegirl]

I make my own bias tape so that I can get great matching colors and prints for the edges of garments and bibs. I found a tutorial that describes how I make mine and stitch it on, you can find that here http://www.squidoo.com/craftie-ladie . It's not the typical way bias tape is made or stitched since it doesn't show on both sides of your project, but I really like the very neat edges I can get with it.

[ElaineR]

Artsie girl, I make my own too, as Leslie says, for quilts. Your tutorial is the way I have made mine, and it does work great.
Elaine

[DancesWithKids4]

I saw a Sue Hausmann episode with Louis Cutting where they showed bias application different than I have ever seen before. Here's my version of the instructions:

1. Cut strips on the bias twice the width plus twice the seam allowance you desire the finished product to be. I am a little unsure of my memory on the measurements, so check this.
2. Meet the (long) cut edges of the strips (DO NOT IRON THE FOLD I will explain at the end) and sewing them to the edge of the WRONG side of the base fabric.
3. Now fold the bias back over itself and the stitching and press along the stitching ONLY. The bias should be extending past the edge of the base fabric.
4. Turn your base fabric over to the RIGHT side and fold the extended bias around to the RIGHT side of the base fabric pressing the fold at this time. They pressed Steam-A-Seam Lite 2 to the underside of the bias temporarily holding the bias in place until sewn instead of pins.

The fold should not be ironed until the last minute as you have to take in account "the turn of the cloth". She explained that it takes less toilet paper to go around the tube the time you wrap than the last wrap, soooo the inside bias layer will be shorter than the outside layer.

I tried to simplify the instructions and know they are long and difficult to understand so if you have problems, PM me and we can do it together. I liked this technique better than making bias because you do not burn yourself with the iron as much and don't need any special tools. Good luck!
Shannon

[idesign]

I bought a bias binder attachment for my sewing machine, and used it on some bibs recently. It was great! Well, not when I tried to turn a really sharp curve, but otherwise, it looked as good as the store bought binding. I have never been able to do a really good job on it before this, so I was very happy.

Carol

[artsiegirl]

I purchased a girl's skirt pattern that included a bias tape tutorial, and I wanted so badly to list the instructions with photos for her method...but I'm sure it was copyrighted. So as I was browsing some blogs this afternoon, I came across the pattern designer's blog. Lo and behold, she offers this technique as a free tutorial on her blog, so here's a link for those interested in this method http://jonag.typepad.com/stop_staring_and_start_se/2008/07/a-little-bias-is-a-good-thing.html . It really stitches up beautifully!

[NJMo]

Thank you thank you thank you. I have heard about this method, but until I actually saw it, I simply did not get it. (Not unrealistic in my world that I don't "get" things...)

I'll give it a try on my next casserole carrier as several of my sister's friends want carriers for their potluck dinners.

[ElaineR]

Artsie girl, great tutorial. Totally awesome. I make my bias just like that but have never sewed the final side down by machine, this tutorial, gives me hope that I could really do it on the machine!
Elaine

[The Hen]

Artisie girl, you continually amaze me with your expertise. Thanks for the great website, as a quilter, I make my own bias but it is always nice to learn a new method.