DIY version of a bias tape maker

I have one of those cool bias tape makers. I'm sure you've seen them and the impressive results they produce. I bet many of you even have experienced such results. Not me. I've been a little embarrassed to say, I couldn't do it. I couldn't get mine to work. Then it happened. The proverbial light bulb went off and it became shamefully obvious why. You see, I have the 1/2 inch bias tape maker.

I expected to get bias tape that measured 1/2 inch when finished.
Pictured above is actually double fold bias tape. The neat little tool makes single fold tape. Now I knew it wouldn't come out of the tool looking like this. I knew it would be a strip with both sides folded in to the center, my problem was making the distinction between the terminology.  It may have been wise to read those directions instead of throwing them away. I had been cutting my strips the width needed for 1/2 inch double fold tape. I know, not very smart. Once I had my moment of enlightenment, I cut a strip around 1 inch wide (maybe slightly less) and whatdayaknow, the tool works beautifully! 
All that semi-coherent babble isn't intended to be a tutorial, since I'm sure you all understood how to correctly use a bias tape maker, or at the very least would be wise enough to read the directions first. No, the tutorial is for a less fancy, but nearly as effective DIY version of the bias tape maker, and you can easily adjust it to make any size bias tape you like.

All you need is an ironing board, a hot iron, a measuring tape or ruler, and a long needle. A strip of fabric would be nice too. It doesn't have to be cut on the bias unless you will be going around curves.

First determine the width you'd like your bias tape to be (single fold) . For this demonstration my strips are cut about 1.75" and I want the opening under the pin to be 1". This will give me 1" single fold bias tape or 1/2 inch double fold.  I am using little sewing gauge to determine the placement of my needle. Bring the needle up through the ironing board cover, go over 1" and push it back through the cover. The needle will run perpendicular to the ironing board.

Cut one end of your fabric strip to a point and run it under the needle wrong side up.

I am left-handed, so this probably looks very backward to you right-handed folks. Now you know how we lefties feel most of the time. I am pulling the fabric through with my left hand, going right to left. Do whatever feels comfortable to you. When you first start the fabric through, you will probably need to work it a little to be sure it is folding symmetrically.

As you pull the fabric through, press the fold in place. Be careful not to burn your little fingers. That's all there is to it.  Happy bias tape making, my friends!

Let me know how it works for you.

 

Comments

[Dawn]

Brilliant! Thanks for sharing.

[T]

thank you for explaining this, it was very helpful, i was trying to figure out what size tape maker i would have to buy but didn't know whether the size mentioned was the finished product or the fabric that goes in.. i like your way better, i'm just going to use a needle and same myself the money.. thanks =)

[Krishna]

Thanks for the little lesson. I did the same thing you did, threw out the instructions, now the tool is languishing in the cupboard. Maybe I will get it out now.
Krishna

[Krishna]

Thanks for the little lesson. I did the same thing you did, threw out the instructions, now the tool is languishing in the cupboard. Maybe I will get it out now.
Krishna

[June]

I just tried your improv bias tape maker this morning - worked like a charm.I made 1/2-inch wide doublefold tape from a knit fabric. Thanks so much!

[Lisa]

Oh my gosh! If this works, I am so in. I am needing two different large sizes and I need them now. Thanks for this wonderful tip!!!

[Julia]

Wow! This will be so good when I'm doing corsets. I've just looked at a site in the UK that sells the bias tape makers and then did a google search for a price comparison, and it lead me here. Delighted and I will be trying it out.
Funny thing is - I'd pull it through with my left hand and press using my right hand so the pictures make perfect sense to me and I'm right handed.

[Pat]

I am so excited! I am left-handed - I don't have to do that mental reversal trick we left-handed people know so well.
I am trying this bias tape idea tonight.
Thank you VERY much!

[Inge]

wow! thats great!
thank you for your moment of insight and sharing it

[Yuppie]

Genius! Thank you so much. I wanted a 3/4 inch, and all I could find was 1 inch. This should do the trick.

[Sue Lord]

That's just so cool!!!! I've been meaning to get one of those tape makers for a while, now I don't need to! Thanks so much!

[Bonnie]

You're so smart!! I've been sewing professionally for 30 years, and I've never thought of that! Thanks.

[Rhonda]

Brilliant! Like others, I couldn't get that commercial bias tape maker to work for me. This tip was terrific. I've documented a variation on it showing just the 1/2 inch double-fold method for a right hander here: http://sandgroper14.wordpress.com/2008/09/22/quilting-easy-double-fold-bias-tape/

[Geri]

Great, As soon as I master the continous bias binding strips, I will try this, I used to burn the heck out of my finger. This sounds fairly easy.

[allawah]

I tried this today and it worked! I never had a bias tape maker so I can't compare but I'm so glad I don't have to spend the extra $$$ to make bias tapes.

The only problem is my ironing board cover got burnt after 2 hours of being ironed in the same area. :( Next time I'll try to put a damp cloth under the iron.

Here's my blog entry about my experiment:http://sewlovesew.blogspot.com/2008/10/bias-tape-finished.html

[Hannah]

wow - i love this! tantehilde got me onto this post, and it is GREAT. thanks so much, what a great tip! love it... will try it out this week...

[Marit]

Great tutorial, thanks so much! What a pitty I didn't find this a few days ago because yesterday I bought a tapemaker :(

[Christina Byard]

Awesome. Viva las lefties!

[Diana]

Hello, I've just landed here from Google searching for an on-line shop where I could buy these bias making gadgets with the slightest idea of how they work. I live in Spain and they don't exist aroung here. Finding htis tutorial of how to home-make bias tape in your web has opened a new door to knowledge for me!! Thank you very much!!

Biquiños, Diana

[Valentine Pierce]

DIY Bias Tape
That is so very cool! I like anything that saves money. I also like the lefthanded visuals, since I, too, am lefthanded.
Valentine

[Valentine Pierce]

DIY Bias Tape
That is so very cool! I like anything that saves money. I also like the lefthanded visuals, since I, too, am lefthanded.
Valentine

[meliatx]

That is brilliant! Thank you for posting that. I never bought one because I am attachment challenged. Meliatx

[Grandma G]

You just saved me from buying a bias tape maker! Easy to follow instructions. Thanks!!

[beckykay]

Thank you for that tip!

[Abbie]

Great idea! Going to dig deep in my stash and hope I have a needle long enough!