Today on HappiestCamper, we are bringing you one of our favorite sewing tips! We are going to show you How To Make Bias Tape! Once you’ve made your own bias tape at home, you’ll find it works for almost every project where you need bias tape. It is used to finish the raw edges of fabric, make piping for placemats or quilts, and used to finish armhole and neckline edges in clothing instead of facing like on this tank top. You can also use it to make your potholders look professional. Making your own bias tape at home allows you to coordinate your colors because you can’t always buy it in the color you want. Knowing how to make it at home will save you money and allow you lots of creative freedom. This is a great skill for beginners to learn. Bias tape makes your projects look great while covering up your maybe not-so-straight raw edges. With practice, you’ll be a pro at making your own bias tape and be able to show your friends. This is one skill I wish I had learned earlier in my sewing journey, as there were many times I could not find the color bias tape that I wanted.

So pick out some coordinating fabric and grab your supplies from the list below and let’s get started!

What You’ll Need:

How To Make Bias Tape

The first step in this how to make bias tape tutorial is much like the first step in many of our projects. I like to wash, dry, and iron your fabric so it is nice and soft, and wrinkle-free. This will make it easier to cut and see the bias of the fabric.

Next, you’ll need to make a cut in your fabric that is at a 45 degree angle. This is called the “bias” of the fabric – it will lay flatter than if you cut on the grain of the fabric. I used the 45-degree mark on my cutting mat as a guide, but if you don’t have one, you’ll need to figure out where you’ll be cutting. If you intend on sewing more regularly, I highly recommend getting a Rotary Cutter, Mat & Ruler. Rotary cutters are so smooth when cutting compared to scissors and the cutting mat protects your surfaces as well as has markings on it to help with projects.

Once you have the 45 degree cut, you can fold your fabric in half along the 45 degree line. Then turn your fabric so the 45 degree cut is on a straight mark across on your cutting mat.

Next on this how to make bias tape tutorial, cut a 2” strip. You can see in the strip of fabric that the threads cross diagonally – this shows you have the bias! Cut another strip to ensure you’ll have enough tape. You’ll need 2 strips that are 54” long.

Now go to your bias tape maker kit. You should have several different size bias tape makers. Choose the bias tape maker that is 25 mm. It should look similar to the photo above in that the size should be printed or embossed somewhere on it. We are about halfway through this how to make bias tape tutorial!

Insert one diagonally cut end of a strip of fabric into the fat part of the bias tape maker. You may have to gently wiggle and work it in. Once the tip comes out the other side, you can begin to gently pull the fabric through. Be sure it is feeding in straight or your bias tape won’t fold correctly! Take your time and it should come out smoothly.

Once it comes out folded on the other side, press with your iron. Keep the iron close to the tape maker as you pull the maker down the length of your strip of fabric. The end of the strip can be kind of tricky, so make sure the folds are laying correctly as you press them. If you mess up here, it is not a big deal. Just repeat the last step.

Now fold this strip of fabric in half again and press well with an iron. Now you know how to make bias tape! It is great for finishing raw edges and making them look great. It is also using to make decorative piping for different fabrics. You’ll see it on our site used in many of our DIY clothing projects on the neck and sleeves of many of the dresses and tops to make them look smooth and finished.

If you liked learning how to make bias tape, make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make this simple project on your own, make certain that you take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices that people use!
How To Make Bias Tape

Make your own bias tape at home with this easy tutorial.
Materials
Tools
- Bias tape maker kit
- Iron
- Ironing board
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Scissors
Instructions
- First, iron your fabric so it is nice and wrinkle-free.
- Next, you’ll need to make a cut in your fabric that is at a 45 degree angle.
- Once you have the 45 degree cut, you can fold your fabric in half along the 45 degree line.
- Then turn your fabric so the 45 degree cut is on a straight mark across on your cutting mat. Finally, cut a 2” strip.
- Cut another strip to ensure you’ll have enough tape. You’ll need 2 strips that are 54” long.
- Choose the bias tape maker that is 25 mm.
- Insert one diagonally cut end of a strip of fabric into the fat part of the bias tape maker. You may have to gently wiggle and work it in.
- Once the tip comes out the other side, you can begin to gently pull the fabric through. Be sure it is feeding in straight or your bias tape won’t fold correctly!
- Once the bias tape comes out folded on the other side, press with your iron. Keep the iron close to the tape maker as you pull the maker down the length of your strip of fabric.
- Now fold this strip of fabric in half again and press well.
- Now you have bias tape!
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