What is bias tape?
For a beginning sewing bias tape can be very intimidating. In fact, I have been sewing since I was 4 and I just started using bias tape about 2 years ago. I used to have my mom come over and put the bias tape on any project I needed it for. Then, one day she wasn't around and I had to do it myself. It actually is much easier to work with than you might think.
In technical terms, Bias tape or bias binding is a narrow strip of fabric, cut on the bias (UK cross-grain). The strip's fibers, being at 45 degrees to the length of the strip, makes it stretchier as well as more fluid and more drapeable compared to a strip that is cut on grain. Many strips can be pieced together into a long "tape". The tape's width varies from about 1/2" to about 3" depending on applications. Bias tape is used in making piping, binding seams, finishing raw edges, etc.
Commercially available bias tape is available as a simple bias tape, single-fold bias tape, and double-fold bias tape. Single-fold bias tape is bias tape that is folded in half lengthwise on its center line, wrong side together, and pressed. Double-fold bias tape is single-fold bias tape where each half is again folded in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and pressed. - http://www.apparelsearch.com/definitions/miscellaneous/bias_tape.htm
What can you do with bias tape? I created this etsy treasury to show that many kinds of bias tape available and some of the creative projects people are making with bias tape.
'B is for Bias Tape' by c1h8r9is
 granny bag sewing p... $7.50 |  Vintage Notions Ban... $12.50 |  Bumble Bee Dolly an... $20.00 |
 Kimberly Royal Bias... $2.75 |  Christmas Owl Banne... $60.00 |  Sunglass Case / In ... $5.00 |
 Linen bias tape -- ... $7.50 |  Sweet and Simple PO... $4.00 |  Trendy Flared Full ... $26.95 |
 Fabric Bunting - Pa... $19.00 |  Handbag Like A Whit... $118.00 |  Out of this world l... $7.00 |
 The Wright Rainbow ... $8.00 |  Orange Flowers Chec... $7.00 |  BUBBLEGUM PINK GING... $8.40 |
Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.
Lisa and I also have a few patterns that use bias tape. One of my favorites is the rumba ruffled diaper cover.
We used bias tape to make an easy elastic casing for the diaper cover.
Here is a great tutorial on applying bias tape from sewneau.com:
Click here to find the step-by-step guide to applying bias tape and many other great tips and tricks.
Another great tutorial on applying bias tape is provided by Wrights - one of the leading commercial manufacturers of bias tape.
Click here to take a look at their free bias tape tutorial.
Great post!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for including my bunting in this post!
:)
Hadarling