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

[Nancy]

Brilliant idea! So simple, so effective. I am making ties for bags and Clover doesn't make a tool the size I need. No more scorched finger tips! Thank you for sharing.

[sue]

absolutely wonderful! Thanks for sharing.

[katie]

This is actually a tip found in many sewing books from the 50's, so no one owns it...not that I know of! :) Clover makes a pretty penny for those bias tape makers, and I own several, but I think this method works better!

[Chrissieb]

I have just found this tip and have to say, it's brilliant. SO simple .....thanks! What a atar you are. xx

[Chrissieb]

Whoops.... That should be STAR!!!

[Autum]

: ) thank you!

xo Autum

[Shari]

thank you, thank you, thank you. This is just what I needed this morning. I'm making a pretty twistables apron for my granddaughter's fourth birthday, and it is not easy matching purple...now I won't have any difficulty! :)

[Eliza]

I tried making bias tape once and it didnt go too well, so now that I'm starting a new project I've been looking for inexpensive, yet pretty, biased tape. No luck so far and then....THIS!!! Sooo simple!! THANK YOU!!! I'm making dresses for girls in third world countries so this idea of yours is going to bring lots of smiles to lots of faces because now I can make some really cute bias tape for their dresses. Thanks!!!!

[Jennifer]

Thank you so much for the tip! You single-handedly save my bias tape.

[Andrea]

It doesn't look backwards to me!
thank you for a simple trick, i'll give that a go this weekend :)

[Shreela Sen]

I'm "Wowstruck". I live in India where fancy stuff like bias tapes & bias tape makers are not available, & piping has always been my Mom's bugbear, who otherwise loves to sew. I had seen some extremely complicated paper models, & came to your website thinking "let's see the contraption" ... & behold! You're very practical.
Thanks for this one!
Also, though I'm right handed, I'll pull the strip out with my left hand & press with right ...

[Amanda]

Brilliant! Thank you so much!

[Rebecca]

I am trying it now, my problem is I cant keep the folds even. 1 side doesnt fold and it turns into just folding in half instead of 3rds

[Kas]

Well, it's 2014 and you're still helping people. I knew I liked the 50s. In sewing and fashion, I keep finding more helpful methods. I almost did something like this, but I wasn't sure what to use to hold the edges down.

[Rusmah]

such a wonderful, creative idea! No need to waste money and time anymore.
Thanks for sharing.

[Susie]

Brilliant! I was going to buy a bias tape maker tomorrow and was thrilled to realize I now won't have to! Just made yards and yards of pink bias out of otherwise useless scrap fabric!

[Justina]

Holy crap. It was like magic when the folded tape started coming out of the other end of the needle!!! Thanks so much!

[Susanne Liley]

Ok my goodness! I've been sewing for 20+ years and I've never even heard of doing bias tape this way. TOTALLY BRILLIANT! I have spent plenty of time making bias tape by hand (have a metal maker and never managed to make it work either and pinning all of it before ironing is about the least fin thing to do.) I really don't like buying the premade kind since I have more fabric than I know what to do with. I love bias tape but since I do sewing for myself as well as working on a business to sell clothes & clothes sewing kits I've designed for 1/3 & 1/4 scale dolls I collect, I never seem to have the right size I need. I'm going to try this out for an outfit I'm trying to finish before going on a family vacation in 2 days. If it works (really looks like it should) I'm going to share it with all my other collector friends. This is one of the first things that new people learning to sew should be shown!

Thank you so very, very much! Now I can have any width of bias tape I need especially since I have a 4" long doll needle. I'm not sure what I'd use such large bias tape on, but I'm giddy just knowing I have the option!

[heather]

I miss your blog. I have been going back over old posts to get my fix and I like this tip! Thanks so much for all the this you have posted and I'll keep checking to see if you have anything new!

[Mary Jo Vollendorf Merget]

So ingenious!! Thank you so much. I was making surgical masks today and l wanted a short cut for the bindings. This helped tremendously.

[D]

This worked like a charm! Thanks so much!!