How to Use a Bias Tape Maker
Bias tape or straight grain tape can be used on many different sewing projects as a way to neatly finish raw edges. Depending on the size of project you are making, making your own bias tape or straight grain tape can be time consuming. Ashley Hough shows you how to use a bias tape maker to save some time.
Making Bias Tape
While this tutorial is showing how to use a bias tape maker, the same steps and techniques can be used to make straight grain tape as well. The first step for how to make bias tape or straight grain tape is cutting strips. The width of strip you decide to cut will determine the finished width of the strip once it has been attached to your project. This can either be indicated by a pattern you are following or indicated on the bias tape maker package.
If the fabric is cut along one of the two straight of grain directions on the fabric, either parallel or perpendicular to the selvage, you will get straight grain tape. If the fabric is cut along the bias of the fabric, or a 45 degree angle from the selvage, you will get bias tape. If you are making a large project and cut several strips of fabric that will need to be sewn together- that step will need to be done prior to learning how to use a bias tape maker.
Ashley then shows how to take one end of the strip and cut it at an angle. She then feeds that angled edge of the fabric strip into the bias tape maker until the cut edge is all of the way through the tape maker. Ashley then demonstrates how to pull the fabric strip out the end of the maker and press it as you go in order to quickly and easily make the tape. Once you make enough you can add bias tape for a professional finish to your next project.
Thank you for tutorial. The only question I have is; What are the width size of the material when cutting out the strips of materials?
Hello Rita,
Thank you for contacting us.
This will differ depending on the size of bias strip maker you are using, and the tool packaging will tell you what width of strip to cut.
If you have any other concerns, please contact us at 1-855-208-7187, or chat with us on our site.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Lindsay
National Sewing Circle Video Membership
Thank you for the tutorial. :)
Please learn to use the bias tape maker – turn it over so the loop that you pull on is on the top.
That’s what I thought also. I always had the bias tape maker facing up with the pull was on top. Looks like it doesn’t make a difference.