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

[English Rose]

This is amazing, thanks so much for sharing! As an avid sewer I go through so much bias tape and this is such a quick and easy way to do it. Great tip!

[Cindy M]

This is so clever. I haven't had much success using bias tape makers, and I often need non-standard sizes. Also, I cannot tell you how many times I have burned my fingers while ironing bias strips I have made. Thanks so much!!!!!!

[Muckmick]

Thanks a Lot

[bonnie]

thanks for the refresher, this is how I learned to make bias to start with, this is a good example why people should learn the basics.

[Tara]

I just tried this tonight when I realized that I needed bias tape for a project and I didn't have any in the right color. Thank you so much! It worked perfectly.

[annmcdonough@me.com]

What about a center fold?? Your idea gave me an idea (everyone see how crafters can work together to take over the world?) Farther to the left (or right) put another shorter pin and fold the double folded piece in half and feed it through. As you pull, press, and fold you can turn your tape into quarter fold tape Yay! Somebody try this and tell me how it works!

[Little Miss Fun Sheriff]

Wow! Your method actually seems simpler than the instructions I got for my bias-tape gizmo! Your way makes a whole lot of sense. Thank you so much!

[Mary]

Amazing! Just made some 1/4" bias tape today using this method! Turned out perfect! You are a genious!

[Donna]

Thanks! I found that using two needles, 6-8 inches apart, was helpful. Thread the tape through the first the way that the tutorial shows, and then through the second, so you have a 6-8 inch segment of folded tape which hasn't been ironed yet. Iron that segment, pull more through, iron, pull, iron. Maybe I'm a klutz (or too right-handed!), but I found I was using my left hand to guide the flat tape into the needle from the left, pulling and keeping a length flat with my right hand, but no hands were left to iron with. Also, for wider tape, pinning cardboard pieces down in place of the needles let me to deal with the fact that I didn't have a long enough needle to handle, say, 2 inch wide tape.

[Autum]

Thanks!  Next time I need to make bias tape, I will try your tips. I love anything that makes life easier ; )

xo Autum

[mb]

Thanks so much for this info! I'm sewing for Dress A Girl and wanted an alternative to buying seam binding - this is perfect!

mb

[Randy]

This is so cool! It is so easy and being able to make the tape the exact width that you want is awsome. Thanks

[Autum]

Thanks Randy. I hope you find it useful!

[Jane Ha]

I've just used this tip, worked brilliantly, thank you!

[Autum]

Thanks for letting me know! So glad you found it helpful.

[J W]

You are a genius....Wonderful idea! I used 3 needles spaced apart about 3 inches. It holds more to be iron.
Thank you.

[Heather]

I really appreciate this tip, thank you so much!

[Heather]

Absolutely GENIUS! I cant wait to try that out! Thank you so much for the idea and the expanded idea!

[Deen]

We're currently in Saudi Arabia and have searched & searched for this bias tape maker but never found anything at all. Thank you so much for sharing this! =)

[kikm]

Actually the little tool works best if you use it so that the tape is upside down from the way they show you in the insructions- seems to make a neter fold.

[Paulette Doyle]

BRILLIANT!!
P

[JudeB]

What a BRILLIANT idea!! I'm afraid I'm too tight to buy one of these gadgets, so your tip is VERY useful. Thanks SO much for sharing.

Judi

[MW]

Thank you, thank you, thank youuu. Great idea

[Katherine]

Love this tutorial. I'm a mere 5 years too late but thank you for posting it. Cheers!

[Rebeakh]

Lifesaver.
Cannot wait to try this when I get home :)
Thanks from another leftie ;)